Tag Archives: watercolour

Daily Sketch

Scottish wild flowers in Victoria Park

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Flowers Victoria Park
There is a beautiful patch of wild looking flowers in Victoria Park running alongside the cycle path entrance and tunnel which runs under Craighall Road.

Yesterday I took and hour to capture a small selection in ink and watercolour. Drawing for me has always been a way of relaxing, of taking time out of an otherwise hectic day and to shut out the million and one things arguing for space in my head. Just for an hour or so this can be hugely beneficial and often causes a new perspective on things once I return from my ‘me time’.

I recommend you do the same, either with myself on one of my Sketcher Days or just on your own. Pick up a pad and pen and get creative!

Join me this Friday and on dates throughout September, October and November as I join up with creative hub Arienas Collective to run sketching workshops. For more information click HERE.

This drawing was drawn in a black fineliner with a watercolour wash added on location. The original has been sold but mounted prints are available from £19.50 HERE.

Daily Sketch

The day Cirque Éloize came to the Mound

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Cirque Eloize atMoundEarlier this month I witnessed the incredible Cirque Éloize performing a few routines at the Mound in Edinburgh.

I passed by with the Sketcher twins (aged 6) and they were in amazed as the dancers shimmied their way up the Scottish National Gallery pillars, hung horizontal from street lamps and juggled each other in front of Edinburgh’s stunning skyline.

In Cirkopolis (at Pleasance at the EICC) Quebec’s Cirque Éloize transform the classic film Metropolis into a virtuosic spectacle for the whole family. As artists rebel, their grey cityscape is replaced by absurd humour, beautiful poetry and bursts of brilliant colour, in a world where fantasy defies reality.

What results is said to be a staggering blend of circus, theatre and dance, and if what the group produced at the Mound is anything to go by, I imagine the show to be  a jaw dropping spectacle for all the family.

Cirkopolis runs until 28th August (not Wednesdays) at Pleasance at the EICC (Venue 150).

See a quick 30 second clip of the award winning show HERE.

EdFringe website

This sketch was created with a fineliner pen and watercolours

Competition

WhereArtI : 7th August : Scotland

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ES_WAI070817
Can you tell me where in Scotland I have sketched this week?

If so click the link below to email me your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’ for the month. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.

The prize for August is one of my black and purple screen printed Victoria Street cotton bags. 

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 7th August 2017’.

Edinburgh Sketcher online store.

Daily Sketch

Greyfriars Bobby, drawn in pencil, ink and watercolour

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Greyfriars Bobby (Brewhemia)A sign of true devotion, Greyfriars Bobby deserves a pat when visiting Edinburgh. 

Skye Terrier Bobby belonged to John Gray, an Edinburgh City Policeman, who when he died in 1858 was buried in Greyfriars  Kirkyard. Bobby was then said to spend his remaining 14 years by the side of his master’s grave.

In 1867 the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers, who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, paid for Bobby’s licence and gave the dog a collar, now in the Museum of Edinburgh.

A year after the dogs death this drinking fountain was commissioned by Lady Burdett-Coutts, the statue was sculpted by William Brodie.

Sketchbobby photos

Mounted prints of this drawing of Edinburgh’s most famous dog can be bought online in either 150x100mm for £18 or 200x290mm for £32 plus postage.

This sketch was drawn in pencil and then inked over the top. I then erased the pencil marks before adding a watercolour wash.

Buy a signed copy here.

Museum of Edinburgh website.

Daily Sketch

Happy 21st Birthday to Apex Hotels

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Apex21st VenueCastleLast week Apex Hotels celebrated being 21 years old and I was invited to capture the occasion in sketches.

A party was held at the magnificent Heights venue on top of the Apex Grassmarket, which has fantastic views over Edinburgh Castle. I have visited before for breakfast and here is a link to by previous sketch.

It was nice to be back as Apex Hotels, who now have 4 venues in Edinburgh, turned 21 years old. Other locations include Haymarket and Waterloo Place.

Apex21st Castle

I tried to capture the atmosphere, colours and movement from the night with my sketchpad and watercolours as I mingled with guests and staff enjoying a rare night off to mark their achievements.

Gifts were given out throughout the night, including a voucher for an Edinburgh Sketcher commission and head chef Tony Singh provided delicious canapes for those enjoying the party.

Apex21st VenueCake

If you would like me to capture your event in sketches email me here to discuss details.

All sketches drawn on the night with pen and watercolours, and my water brush. 

Apex Hotels website

Apex21st Cupcake

Competition

WhereArtI : 10th April : Edinburgh

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ES_WAI100417Can you tell me where in Scotland I have sketched today?

If so click the link below to email me your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’ for the month. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.

The prize for April is one of my brand new stone lithography prints of Edinburgh Castle, which I am currently creating in a class at Edinburgh Printmakers. Here is a photo of the prints so far.

castleprint

Winner will receive one of only six prints chosen by Edinburgh Sketcher.

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 10th April 2017’.

Edinburgh Sketcher online store.

Competition

WhereArtI : 27th March : Edinburgh

ES_WAI270317Can you name this Edinburgh building hiding behind a row of trees?

If so click the link below to email me your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’ for the month. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.

The prize for March is one of my Victoria Street cotton tea towels, which can also be bought through my Etsy shop HERE. Currently I have three designs: Edinburgh Castle, The Shore in Leith and Victoria Street.

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 20th March 2017’.

Edinburgh Sketcher online store.

Competition

WhereArtI : 20th March : Edinburgh

1 Comment

ES_WAI200317Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched?

If so click the link below to email me your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’ for the month. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.

The prize for March is one of my Victoria Street cotton tea towels, which can also be bought through my Etsy shop HERE. Currently I have three designs: Edinburgh Castle, The Shore in Leith and Victoria Street.

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 20th March 2017’.

Edinburgh Sketcher online store.

Competition

WhereArtI : 13th March : Edinburgh

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ES_WAI130317Can you tell me where in Scotland I have sketched today?

If so click the link below to email me your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’ for the month. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.

The prize for March is one of my Victoria Street cotton tea towels, which can also be bought through my Etsy shop HERE. Currently I have three designs: Edinburgh Castle, The Shore in Leith and Victoria Street.

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 13th March 2017’.

Edinburgh Sketcher online store.

Daily Sketch

Spring has sprung with the colourful crocuses popping up all around Edinburgh

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Crocuses VictoriaParkSigns of Spring: Lighter in the evenings, feeling warm in sheltered sunshine, and multicoloured crocuses flooding the capitals green spaces.

I love this time of year, although I love most times of the year in Edinburgh. I think it is the change I like, just when you have had enough of one season another comes along to brighten the mood and make you see yor surroundings in a new way.

Especially in Scotland, where we often get many seasons in one day of course!

These crocuses were drawn in Victoria Park on Ferry Road in Edinburgh, with a black fine liner with a quick watercolour wash over the top.

The warmer weather is making me want to sketch outdoors more and more, check out my Sketching Days page for outdoor workshops coming soon where you can come along and draw with me.