This is one of the resident pigs at Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh. I was there with my family on Friday, it’s a great place to take the kids. And another fun, educational and free place to go in Edinburgh. Even at the suggested donation of £2 it’s a bargain, we got to meet all the animals likely to feature on Old MacDonalds farm.
Although my two are a little young for patting the animals I’m sure they took it all in. They were particularly interested in the chickens, being of a similar height!
Here is the final version of my illustration of my gorgeous twins, Zoe and James, aged around four months.
I left it in black and white, just using a black fine pen. It will look lovely in the bright yellow frame I picked up today in Habitat at the West end. The shop is closing down so has some great offers on at the moment.
Today I worked on this, a pen portrait of my wee twins, Zoe and James. I’m almost finished and pretty pleased. It is always hard to put the pen down and admit you have finished though, often resulting in going too far and over working a drawing.
I thought I would share this quick photo of the sketch and the photograph, but will scan the finished portrait tomorrow.
Night night for now sketch fans!
This is one of my first Edinburgh Sketches, from over a year ago when I first had the idea of a sketch blog.
Today I was working on my new gallery page> https://edinburghsketcher.com/gallery/ and looking through all the images I have posted over the last year. It’s great to see them all together and the memories each one holds, like a illustrated diary!
I also realised that I hadn’t posted this image of Edinburgh Castle, the one I used in my logo and icon for social networking.
So here is the original Edinburgh Sketch.
Day two of my four day holiday and a trip to the Museum of Modern Art, near the Dean Bridge.
The sun is beaming down on us and after lunch at the garden cafe we came to the front for a spot of sunbathing near the landscaped lawns and pond.
Also a big hello to our new friends from Taiwan, who are here to study English and take in the festival. And to one student in particular, who was looking for Westlife, or Prince Harry, good luck.
The entrance to the new look National Museum of Scotland, (NMS), we made our first visit today and it certainly lived up to the hype.
The interior is jam packed with exhibits, and I look forward to visiting again and again with the kids. It’s amazing it’s still free to get in.
As for the sketch, I looked first to the exterior, there’s plenty of time for the rest later.
A late night at the office today and by the time I walked up to the bridges to catch a bus home it was beginning to get dark. The streets were busy with people on holiday, watching in wonder as the lights came on across this beautiful city.
This was my view from the bus stop on North Bridge towards the Scott Monument and Princes Street. Not a bad place to wait for a bus 😉
A busy day at Portobello yesterday as this years Regatta got under way. This is only the second year a Regatta has been held in the area for over thirty years. The ‘skiff’ boats were raced yesterday and very exciting they were as teams rowed out around a triangle course and then back to the cheering crowds waiting on the beach.
The sun was strong and my family and I enjoyed a picnic on the grass behind the beach, from where the sketch was drawn. Today the sun looks set to shine on the coast once more, and there is plenty to see as a wide range of boats will head out into the water. There are also cake stalls, musicians, and beach races to keep you entertained. So head down to the coast for a great day on the beach.
For more info see http://rowporty.org.uk/portobello-regatta-2011
Today a look back to my recent visit to Canongate Kirk, which of course is the venue for today’s royal wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall. I wish all the best to the happy couple and I hope the day goes well, it looks likely to be a glorious day weatherwise.
The sketch is a looking towards the alter from the pews, just behind where her majesty the Queen will be sitting! Here is the original post:
“Not far from the day job on the Royal Mile lies the Canongate Kirk, which is currently enjoying a celebrity status amongst the tourists of Edinburgh due to an upcoming wedding. The Church of Scotland Kirk is to be the venue for Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall’s marriage on July 30th 2011. Holyrood Palace is within the Kirk’s parish and this is where the reception will be held.
This is my sketch using pen and then pencil to shade, from within the Kirk.
See www.canongatekirk.org.uk for more information.”
So no ‘Sunshine on Leith’ today, but an almost comic strip look at Hibernian’s football ground, Easter Road, between the terraced housing on Albion Place. I thought I had gone too far with the colour, and maybe I have but I like the effect now.
Having lived in both Pilrig Street (in Leith) and Gorgie Road (near Tynecastle) since arriving in the city I count myself as not a die hard fan, more a keen supporter of both Edinburgh football teams, if this is possible 😉
I have been to both stadiums over the years and will have to sketch Hearts soon, to even the balance. Anyone know af a great view of the stadium?