Tag Archives: ink

New Waverley Arches open on a sunny evening in May

26th May 2016 Edinburgh Sketcher Leave a comment

The 19 newly renovated Victorian arches on East Market Street are now open and ready to serve, so I went for a stroll along Edinburgh’s newest shopping district.

Part of the £150 million New Waverley development which is transforming part of the Old Town, the Arches have been opened up and filled with some fantastic independent businesses, each of which deserve to be discovered.

I was invited to come along and sketch the launch party last week and these are my sketches from the evening. As you can see from the sketch above the lights from each arch can be seen from high up on North Bridge. If there descend the Scotsman Hotel steps onto Market Street and then head under the bridge to find the first of 19 Arches which increase in height the further down the cobbled street you venture.

The arches date back to 1875 and were traditionally used for storage areas and have never before been accessible to the public.

The retail outlets combine fashion, beauty, eating and drinking, as well as an art gallery where you can find some of my work. See my sketch below of some of the items I gathered on a walk about!

For more information follow @archesnw on twitter and visit East Market Street this weekend to meet the traders!

Sketches all drawn on location in ink and watercolour.

Daily Sketch

Newhaven Harbour in glorious sunshine.

20th April 2016 Edinburgh Sketcher Leave a comment

I’m lucky enough to live close to Newhaven Harbour and love listening to the tinkling boat masts and seagulls circling above.

I drive past the lighthouse (built 1869) often and yesterday did so with thankfully some time to sketch. I could sit for hours listening to the rocking boats in the small harbour, looking out through the narrow ‘gateway’ to Fife, I find it very relaxing. Add in come watercolurs and a blank canvas and I’m in heaven!

I painted this sketch with black ink and watercolour whilst sitting on the large stone steps between the harbour and road.

The original sketch is now sold but you can order a high quality mounted print from my online shop HERE.

Daily Sketch

Afternoon Tea at The Scotsman Hotel’s North Bridge Brasserie.

9th February 2016 Edinburgh Sketcher Leave a comment

The Scotsman Hotel commands stunning views over Edinburgh from it’s North Bridge location, and provides an Afternoon Tea to match even for those with particular dietary requirements.

As a ceoliac I follow a gluten free diet and although that is much easier to do so when supermarkets provide an ever increasing range of foods, eating out can be more hit and miss. Usually resulting in a dish simply missing certain items rather than a replacement added or substitute thought of.

Which is why I was so pleased to hear the North Bridge Brasserie has created a gluten free afternoon tea available alongside their regular option. As you can see from my sketch the three layered display was packed with tasty mouthfuls and beautiful creations. So much so my dining partner let out a ‘wow’, as the food arrived, not a sound usually heard when the gluten free option is unveiled.

Each of the miniature courses had been thought about too, sandwiches on both rye and wholemeal bread that was soft and well made. Both the Mull cheddar and Herb Scone and the classic Freshly Baked Fruit Scone with Butter, Clotted Cream and Selection of Preserves were extra ordinary treats, greatly appreciated by this non wheat eater.

Afternoon Tea at the North Bridge Brasserie is priced at £19.95 per person or £24.95 with a glass of Prosecco. See the website below for more details and to book.

The sketch was drawn in fine liner, with a watercolour wash.

North Bridge Brasserie website

The Scotsman Hotel website

Daily Sketch

Merry Christmas from the Sketcher household

26th December 2015 Edinburgh Sketcher 26 Comments

Merry Christmas everyone, happy holidays and all the very best for 2016.

I hope you all are enjoying the time off and those working are looking forward to a well earned break in a week or two. I have worked in the service industry myself and know what its like to be working when it seems everyone else is putting their feet up!

It’s been a great year for Edinburgh Sketcher, with more merchandise selling in new outlets. A wider range of avenues to work in too, from sketch classes in historical grounds to inspiring the young to draw from their imagination. I have had a sgreat year and alot of thanks has to go to you for supporting me on line and in the purchases you have made.

So I wish you all well in the new year. I can’t wait to get started on 2016, I will be revamping the ES website and launching a brand new one to run along side, as well as running more competitions and capturing more of Edinburgh in my sketch book.

Today’s sketch is a close up of the Sketcher Christmas tree, in pen and ink with a watercolour finish.

Daily Sketch

The Sketcher Twins in pen and ink

18th August 2015 Edinburgh Sketcher 30 Comments

Here is a portrait of the Sketcher Twins during the week they began their final year in nursery.

They are are growing up quickly and were this week raring to go and excited to see all their friends at nursery.

I find drawing portraits harder than buildings, the more detail I add the older the pair seem to look. In fact they are only four and a half although here they look older. I think I’m getting better though, as with most things, practice makes perfect.

Competition

The WhereArtI Quiz, 2nd February

2nd February 2015 Edinburgh Sketcher 35 Comments

8am on a Monday morning is WhereArtI time, I sketch and you tell me where. Usually in Edinburgh but as it’s the first of the month the answer could be anywhere in Scotland. Can you locate this week’s sketch?

The 2015 leaderboard is beginning to take shape, and with points on offer for the first three correct answers all is to play for. Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come this time tomorrow.

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

Remember WhereArtI runs every Monday in the Edinburgh Evening News with a fantastic prize each week. You could win a bottle of Edinburgh Gin plus a tour of their city centre distillery. Buy a copy today to find out more.