The morning seemed to fly by today: Babies wake up. Babies having a cuddle on the mat with a few toys. Babies seem happy, time for a quick sketch. Babies hungry, into their high chairs. Babies and dad having some porridge. Mum takes over and dad’s off to work. Phew!
…of one of Edinburgh Castles cannons. Today my wife and I took the twins for their first visit to a very windy Edinburgh Castle, taking advantage of the St Andrews Day free entrance offer.
The kids loved looking at the medals, swords and armour on display. But best of all must be the amazing views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside from the thick stone walls that once protected the castle from attackers.
Like this view towards Calton Hill and Nelson’s Tower. I have again added a little watercolour to give the sketch some life. What do you think?
Tonight I finished my sketch of this shop on the Royal Mile, I love the colour and interest these shops bring to the High Street. This particular one, Ness, sells a beautifully colourful range of tweed, tartan and woollen clothing for women.
I posted my initial pencil sketch earlier this week, here. Not wanting to leave the drawing as black and white due to the fact it was the colour that first caught my eye, I waited until I had a little time and then added a watercolour finish.
See below for a close up of the shop.
Mocha, our beautiful cat who has taken the arrival of our twins with no fuss, accepting she may have to wait a little longer for her breakfast, or a cuddle. She sits up high, watching the mayhem, refusiung to help or hinder as her home has steadily filled up with toys and clothes, nappies and prams.
After a summer of guarding our fruit and flower bulbs from the mischievous squirrels that raid our garden, we have finally admitted defeat.
This one is munching on a few berries from the bush, occasionally looking up at the window to taunt me.
Breakfast with the kids, and although James did offer me some of his milk, at least I think that is what he meant by spitting a mouthful at me, I decided to have porridge, with raisons and honey. Perfect fuel for the cycle into work. Have a good day, wherever you are having your brecky!
A lovely wee shop on the Royal Mile. I love these colourful shops on the Mile, and the stone buildings full of windows that reach high into the Edinburgh skyline above them.
Unfortunately I forgot my pens today so inking, and colouring to bring to life will have to wait. You guys don’t though 😉
‘A walk not far from home I turned a street corner to find this beautiful Victorian lamp post. Bright green and standing out in a street of more modern homes. But can you tell me where this is? Another hidden gem from Edinburgh’s suburbs. Do you recognise the green lamp post?’
Whilst on a weekend trip to Cellardyke and Anstruther we made a trip to @visitstandrews for a spot of retail therapy and coffee – this is from the corner outside Bonkers, a great shop full of lovely bits and bobs.
Sketched in black ink, a splash of blue added later on the computer.
I was in a grump today, nothing was going right and all seemed to be going wrong.
I took a walk up the High street at lunch time, I needed to pick up a postal tube to mail an illustration. I ended up going to three shops before finding one, by which time I was late and had no time to send it. I was heading back to the office when I looked to see this view of Nelson’s Tower on Calton Hill, between two buildings on the Royal Mile.
Looking splendid this afternoon in the November sunshine, Nelson’s Tower was built between 1807 and 1815 to commemorate Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish fleets at the battle of Trafalgar.
Short on time I took a photo and sketched this image later, just in black ink. Here is a close up of the tower to show the detail.
