Tag Archives: grassmarket

West Bow leading up from the Grassmarket to Victoria Street.

One of Edinburgh’s most photographed streets and a must see part of the city’s beautiful old town.

This morning I was in town dropping off the first of my Christmas card deliveries to shops on the Royal Mile, and so I had a wander around the old town.

Last week I photographed Victoria Street in the hope of using the photos to sketch from in the comfort of my studio. But there is no comparison for me in sketching from a photo to sketching on location, the angles, colours and overall feel of the sketch is much more alive when drawn right there in the moment.

And so I started to scribble away from the police box on the corner of West Bow and the Grassmarket.

Its always great to meet people passing by when sketching on location too, a colourful mixture of locals, tourists often come up to see what I am doing and say hello. It always adds a little something special to the sketch and my memory of making it, so thanks for that those I met today!

Today’s sketch was drawn with a 0.4 fine liner and a waterbrush, in an A5 sketchpad. 

 

The perfect view for breakfast in Edinburgh

Apex_InternationalA visit to the Apex International Hotel in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket provides a stunning view.

The fifth floor restaurant boasts 2 AA Rosettes and an exciting menu of Scottish cuisine, focusing on locally sourced seasonal produce. As well as serving breakfast for hotel guests the restaurant also serves a 3 course dinner menu between 5.30pm and 9.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

 

But the real attraction has to be the view from this perfect setting, follow the link below to book your place and dine beneath Edinburgh Castle, I’m sure it looks equally stunning in the evening.

 

 

  • Heights Restaurant, Apex International Hotel

 

ApexInt2

 

Victoria Street, Edinburgh

VictoriaStreetVictoria Street, so iconic to Edinburgh. Its cobbles, curved lines, wee galleries and eateries making it a must see place and a favourite picture postcard to send home for many a visitor.

I have been meaning to draw the street for a while but couldn’t decide which angle, the view down from the top is just as stunning. I sketched a lose view from the top a couple of years ago, the link is below so you can see. The busy thoroughfare runs down from the George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket and is the main route from The Royal Mile to the historic market square.

 

I’m thinking of making this sketch the second in my wrap around cushion series. Here is a mock up of what it would look like, what do you think? Follow the link below to see my previous cushion ‘The Shore’.

 CushionVictoriaStreet

Prints are available from £18 HERE, get in touch at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com for more information about the cushions.

 

 

Collecting cash

I was collecting cash today for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. My charity Christmas cards have been on sale for the last month or so at various shops and cafes around Edinburgh, for a full list see HERE, and today I visited the Hula Juice Bar in the Grassmarket.

Always a pleasure I stopped for a delicious slice of gluten free cheese cake and an Artisan Roast latte. They also have some amazing juices on offer, if your passing I recommend the Betty Ford. While there I sketched this view of there seating area, or part of it.

 

A special thanks to owner Susan for matching the money raised from cards sold at Hula Juice Bar, doubling the amount going to the Sick Kids hospital. A very kind gesture.