Tag Archives: watercolour

Newhaven Harbour in glorious sunshine.

NewHaven_HarbourI’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.

 

newhaven2photo

WhereArtI : 18 April 2016 : Edinburgh

ES_WAI180416Morning Edinburgh, tell me where I’m sketching this week

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

Sketching the secrets of the Royal Mile

MercatTour110416_3LocationsOn the 23rd April I will be pairing up with Mercat Tours to provide a Sketching and Storytelling Tour of the Royal Mile.

In preparation for this dream collaboration I tagged along on the Secrets Of The Royal Mile tour this week, and made a few sketches along the way. The above sketch includes three locations: The Mercat Cross (top), Borthwick’s Close and Tweeddale Court.

The Royal Mile is where I began Edinburgh Sketcher, inspired by the tall narrow buildings, winding cobbled closes and rough knobbly walls that people have brushed along for hundreds of years.

I am thrilled to be combining Edinburgh’s history and my passion for drawing, so come sketching with me and Hannah, our Mercat guide – you will find out some fascinating and very funny Scottish history, and learn some speed sketching skills to enable you to to capture your visit as a piece of art.

All abilities are welcome, sketching is all about enjoying your surroundings, relaxing into the moment and noticing the beauty that is all around us. Sketching by the Mile from Mercat Tours will take place on Saturday 23 April at 10am. The tour has a very limited group size so booking in advance at the link below is recommended to avoid disappointment.

These sketches are all made with fine liner black pens and watercolour, which we will be using on the tour. 

 

Sketching by the Mile on Mercat Tours website
MercatTour110416_MercatCross

MercatTour110416_ParlaimentSq

 

Painting Portobello in April showers

PortobelloBeach_noprintToday I visited Portobello promenade, a great place to take a stroll along the seaside and feel the sand under your feet.

Unsettled is a good word for the weather, glorious sunshine against dark skies followed by brief showers of cold rain. I sketched from the beach between showers to create this piece which includes drops of rain and grains of sand.

This piece is drawn on 220gsm paper with black ink and watercolour. It measures 250x160mm and is this months never to be printed original sketch, for sale for £150 in a mount or £175 in a frame. 

Contact me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com to purchase this one off sketch, first come first served. 

Below are a couple of photos from the beach.

 

porty3

WhereArtI : 28 March 2016 : Edinburgh

ES_WAI280316
Morning Edinburgh, can you tell me where I am sketching this week?

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

Lunch Menu sketching at the North Bridge Brasserie, Edinburgh

ScotsmanLunchA three course lunch menu of exquisite Scottish produce for less than £20 is definitely worth sketching.

 

When asked if I would like to sketch their new lunch menu I didn’t think twice, having recently sampled their Gluten Free Afternoon Tea.

 

Inside the beautiful oak lined interior of the Scotsman Hotel, once home to the Scotsman Newspaper, is the North Bridge Brasserie, a perfect city centre meeting place for a spot of lunch.

 

Their menu is constantly evolving and changing depending on the Scottish seasons so take a look at the brasserie website below for the latest information and to book.

 

When I visited the food was exceptional, starting with a melt in the mouth piece of citrus cured salmon which I would of been happy having three courses of! Instead I chose the slow-cooked pork shoulder to follow. Tender and full of flavour, creating a slightly heavy but very satisfactory main course before our sweet treat of Bitter Dark Chocolate. A rich chocolate mouse formed an S (of the Scotsman?) with dark biscuity chunks and smooth ice cream making a perfect ending to my meal.

 

Sketch in fine liner with light watercolour wash over the top. 

Scotsman Hotel North Bridge Brasserie website.

 

My cat and I, sitting watching the telly the other night

Moch_on_my_knee The Sketcher cat, Mocha. Not one for hogging the limelight, or even looking at you when sketching or taking a photo.

Mocha is a beautiful tortoiseshell cat, fifteen years old and on the cold nights in Edinburgh she likes to curl up on my, or Mrs Sketcher’s knee.

 

I love to draw her fur, beautiful colours but also random line work, a change from the ordered straight lines from buildings and architecture.

 

As she was on Sunday evening as we both watched Shetland together. Very tense we thought it was too.

 

Sketch is in blanck fine liner with a watercolour wash. If you would like your pet portrait sketched prices start at £65. Email me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

 

 

Mocha 2011 sketch

Mocha 2013 sketch

 

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

WhereArtI : 8th February 2016

ES_WAI080216Morning Edinburgh, can you tell me where I am drawing in this week’s WhereArtI quiz?

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