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Daily Sketch

Beautiful red stone pediment above the caledonian

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I just love the detail in this stone doorway to the mighty Caledonian Hotel, now the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh.

Situated at the West End of Princes Street the red sand stone building was originally a railway station and opened in 1903. The station was closed in 1965.

It is amazing to think now, but at the time of opening there were two railway stations on Princes Street, one at either end. The other was the North British Railway station, now the Waverly and they were fierce rivals to the Caledonian Railway at the West End.

I love to find out about the details carved into building in the Victorian times and the following passage about the triangle sketched above is from the fantastic Canmore website. You can find out more about the building on their page HERE.

“The pediment over the door contains an elaborate scrolled shield carved with the coat of arms of the Caledonian Railway Company: a lion rampant. Flanking the shield are a seated male figure to left, and a seated female figure to right; their feet point towards the corners but their heads turn back to the centre. The male figure has his right hand on a model of an engine. By his left hand is a bag spilling coins. The female figure has her right hand on an open book, and her left hand on a winged wheel. Beyond the wheel is a lamp”
Canmore. National Record of the Historic Environment Scotland

Daily Sketch

Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital closes its doors

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With a move across town to join the Royal Infirmary in Little France this week everyone said good bye to their iconic building by the Meadows.

As many of you know my boy has Haemophilia and he was in and out of hospital as a baby and small child and like many families the big red building on the edge of the park holds a huge amount of emotion to Mrs Sketcher and I.

The big beautiful Victorian building is home to a world of wonder, magic and the amazing. The people who work there make wonderful things happen, and deal with heartbreak and tragedy as well as such moments of happiness and miracles every day.

One of my first sketches of the hospital, ten years ago.

For those who have had to hand over their child and trust in the people within to help there is a bond that connects you. The hospital is a place you don’t necessarily think about until you have to and then it can take over your whole world. And then once away from that situation you can forget how intense the time was, and how wonderful the people within are.

So I say a huge thank you to all those who have worked and helped out within those walls between Sciennes Road and the Meadows. And all the very best to you in your brand new hospital, and all those patients and families who will be helped in the future.

From 8am on Tuesday 23 March, all patients and any child or young person requiring access to A&E, must go to the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People at Little France. 

Another from 10 years ago, this one is the back entrance.

My sketch of Olly the Octopus is now available as a limited print to raise money for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity. 50 signed and mounted prints are for sale at £20 each including UK postage. £10 from each print will go to the charity.

Buy a print here.

    Daily Sketch

    A Lazy Saturday Morning

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    iPad time on the couch.

    The Sketcher Twins are getting older, 10 years old this month and I’m losing them little by little to their gadgets. But then I’m just as bad plus this morning I welcomed the chance to get my little sketching fix 🙂 Plus it’s nice listening to them giggle together.

    Time to put pens and gadgets down now though and get out in that glorious sunshine. Enjoy your weekend everyone 🙂

    Daily Sketch

    Snowy Steps in the City

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    The view down Fleshmarket Close is always a favourite and recently the snow fall in Edinburgh made this view even more special.

    One morning in early February I got wrapped up in extra layers, gloves and big boots on and ventured into the city. The snow had not stopped the night before and everywhere was covered with a thick layer of crisp snow.

    I took probably a hundred or more photographs, every corner revealed a new picture perfect scene, places I know so well but with a new slant, a freshness and cleanness which snow can achieve.

    I did try to sketch on location but with minus temperatures my fingers didn’t last long before I had to stop and return to the warmth of my studio to work.

    I have a number of photos to work from so you may see more snow sketches on here as the spring arrives in Edinburgh.

    This sketch can be bought as a mounted and signed print on my etsy shop HERE.

    Competition

    WhereArtI Quiz – 22nd Feb 2021

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    Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched?

    Snowy steps in the city, but where are they?

    Leave your answer in the comment box below.

    Your comment will not show up until I reveal the answer tomorrow morning. Get your answer in before midnight tonight and I will pick a random winner from all correct entries by this time tomorrow.

    This week’s prize is a screen printed tote bag featuring my illustration of Victoria Street, in Edinburgh.

    Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed later today, and remember you can also see my weekly competition in the printed version of the Edinburgh Evening News each Monday.

    Keep looking up and noticing the beauty in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next!

    My Edinburgh sketched merchandise and high quality prints are available on my Etsy shop and I am available for commissions too. Email me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com for more details.

    Support A Business Sketch

    Festive Cheer on the Streets

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    A new #supportabusinesssketch for the new year and this beautiful shiny shop front is the Mark David Salon in Henderson Row.

    During the festive break the Sketcher family when out on our daily walk would pass by Henderson Row frequently on a circle rout through Stockbridge and Inverleith Park.

    This shop front (at 83 Henderson Row) always caught our eyes, with beautiful baubles and flowers, and a nutcracker drummer model, at first I thought it was a florist there were som many flowers and plants outside.

    But this is home to the Mark David Salon and they provide a huge range of treatments and pampering, relaxation and escapism for both men and women, something which is very well needed for everyone just now!

    Double check on their website for up to date details about the latest restrictions due to the pandemic, and when they can take appointments again.

    https://www.markdavidsalon.com/

    I am using my #supportabusinesssketch drawings to give a little boost to the independent businesses which make Edinburgh so special, especially during the current pandemic and lock down restrictions.
    Also I am drawing each one in a new style of pencil and watercolour, which makes them quite distinctive and different to my usual ink drawings. See more of the support a business sketches by clicking HERE.