Tag Archives: Scotland

The Camera Obscura, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

camera obscuraMy sketch of the Camera Obscura and World of Illusion, which has delighted and intrigued people in Edinburgh for over 150 years

Mirrors, lenses and daylight combine to produce a moving panorama of Edinburgh’s city centre, projected onto a viewing table within the mid 19th Century purpose built visitor attraction.

 

Over six floors of optical illusions and interactive exhibits, your mind will be tricked, amazed and engaged. Great fun for all the family, I can’t wait to return! For more information about the city centre attraction visit their website, link below.

 

This sketch featured in this week’s WhereArtI competition and was drawn to create this table number illustration below. My full set of Edinburgh table numbers can be ordered for any event, including weddings and conferences. To see more drop me an email at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

 

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Camera Obscura and World of Illusions website

 

WhereArtI : 7th March 2016

ES_WAI070316This is your Scotland WhereArtI for March. Can you name the location I’ve sketched?

 

If you can you could win an Edinburgh Sketcher tea towel. I will pick a random winner this time tomorrow from the the correct answers.

 

TeaTowel_EdinburghCastle

 

 

The WhereArtI competition goes live every Monday morning at 8am, I sketch a location in Edinburgh, you tell me where I am. On the first Monday of each month however, the sketch could be anywhere in Scotland.

 

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers, and this week the leader board has been wiped clean. Good luck every one! Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before the end of the day.

 

If you would like to sponsor the quiz or feature in the quiz, then get in touch at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

The Royal Yacht Britannia created from Lego bricks

Britannia_Lego detailLego is everywhere in Edinburgh at the moment, including the Royal Yacht Britannia in Ocean Terminal, Leith.

Visit the five-star visitor attraction, regularly voted the UKs best attraction, just now and you will find an 11 foot Lego model of the ship on display. Using 40,000 bricks it took Lego model maker and Arbroath fisherman Jim McDonough, 51, five weeks to complete on his dining room table.

 

Britannia was launched from the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank on 16 April, 1953. For over 44 years she served the Royal Family, travelling over one million miles to become the most famous ship in the world.

 

My sketch shows a tiny part of the model and you need to see it up close to realise the amount of work which has gone into the 1/37 scale model.

 

For more information and to book your tickets visit the Briannia website below.

 

Sketch is created in fine liner pen with a watercolour wash.

 

 

Royal Yacht Britannia website

 

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

ScotsmanHotel_AfternoonTea

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

 

Tranquillity and splendid coffee in Edinburgh’s West End

Brass&CopperBrass & Copper provides a calm and peaceful place in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End in which to enjoy a coffee and a catch up with friends.

Situated in the middle of William Street, Brass & Copper is my new favourite hang out, just a sugar cubes throw from the hustle and bustle of Shandwick Place it could not be more different. Seek it out for a velvety smooth flat white and relax for a moment before heading back into the city.

 

 

Today’s sketch was drawn in fine liner pen, with a watercolour wash painted in the rain which is why there are a few drips here and there. 

 

Brass & Copper facebook page

Lego Build It! exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland

Lego at NMS with JamesThousands of Lego bricks have been piled up at the Museum, who’s coming to play?

 

Who doesn’t love Lego? The original multi-generational toy which lets imagination run wild and sees creations big and small come to life with the use of simple multicoloured bricks.

 

 

If you do then you should head to the museum just now, especially if you haven’t played with the iconic bricks for a while as both young and old are being encouraged to ‘Build It!’ as part of the museums latest exhibition.

 

Running until April 17th the event is sure to be popular this half term, and as well as having the chance to build you can also see some great mini-buildings and models by renowned brick artist, Warren Elsmore and his team in the Grand Gallery. They will also be on-site, building a special three metre model of the museum.

 

The sketch above is of Sketcher Twin 1 busy in a world of imagination, drawn in fine liner pen with a watercolour wash.

 

Follow the link below to find out more about Build It! Adventures with Lego Bricks.

 

The National Museum of Scotland website

WhereArtI : 1st February 2016

ES_WAI010216Welcome to a brand new Scotland WhereArtI for February. Can you name the location I’ve sketched below?

 

The WhereArtI competition goes live every Monday morning at 8am, I sketch a location in Edinburgh, you tell me where I am. On the first Monday of each month however, the sketch could be anywhere in Scotland.

 

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers, and this week the leader board has been wiped clean. Good luck every one! Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before the end of the day.

 

If you would like to sponsor the quiz or feature in the quiz, then get in touch at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

WhereArtI : 25th January 2016

ES_WAI250116

Morning Edinburgh, can you tell me where I am drawing this week’s WhereArtI sketch from?

 

The WhereArtI competition goes live every Monday morning at 8am, I sketch a location in Edinburgh, you tell me where I am. On the first Monday of each month however, the sketch could be anywhere in Scotland.

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers, with a prize to who tops the leader board at the end of the year. Good luck every one! Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before Tuesday morning.

 

If you would like to sponsor the quiz or feature in the quiz, then get in touch at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

WhereArtI : 4th January 2016

ES_WAI040115Welcome to a brand new WhereArtI for 2016. Can you name the Scotland location I’ve sketched below?

 

The WhereArtI competition goes live every Monday morning at 8am, I sketch a location in Edinburgh, you tell me where I am. On the first Monday of each month however, the sketch could be anywhere in Scotland.

 

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers, and this week the leader board has been wiped clean. Good luck every one! Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before the end of the day.

 

If you would like to sponsor the quiz or feature in the quiz, then get in touch at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

The WhereArtI Quiz, 7th December

WAI_071215WhereArtI time and as its the last Scotland wide quiz of the year. Can you tell me where I am?

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers. Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before the end of the day.

 

If you would like to sponsor the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.