waiting for a train

Flying across the Thames

The new cable car system across the Thames opened yesterday.  It looks spectacular and seems to have been built very quickly.  It links two of the Olympic venues, the O2 Arena on the south side of the river and the ExCel Centre on the north.

The small cable cars ‘take off’ and rise quickly from an Art Deco inspired terminal.   The cables stretch across elegant trumpet-shaped pylons.

In the hour I sat sketching, it seemed to be quite popular and hopefully it will be an asset to the public transport system in the long term.

building Croydon - Saffron Square

(added colour)

(urban sketch)

shelves stacked at Alexandra Nurseries

(added colour)

(urban sketch)

Hare Krishna

a crook in Croydon

english rose

Rio de Penge

I was inspired to produce these images by the news that the Brazilian athletes are to do their last minute training for the Olympics at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace Park.

      It’ll be great to have them here, although I hope they won’t mind the weather!

                                     

   

       The original drawings were made in coloured pencil, scanned and adjusted in Photoshop.

Croydon Town Hall

(added colour)

(urban sketch)

sweet peas

sketching at the Alexandra Nurseries, Penge

the world of the yellow Ikea bag

Elmers End station

another day, another train

Crystal Palace Overground Festival 2012

Bromley Business Expo

Doing the daily online sketchbook for over 8 months now, I’m always on the lookout for new drawing opportunities, so the Bromley Business Expo seemed an ideal event – a chance to draw and pick up valuable business tips.

The venue was ‘The Warren’, a sports club in Hayes, Kent.  The main building has a beautiful  façade, clearly influenced by the architectural heritage of the Dutch banker, Walter Maximillian de Zoete, who built it in the 19^th Century.

Everyone was very friendly and besides sketching, I managed to take in a ‘communication’ workshop, browse the stalls, chat and exchange a few business cards.

All the line drawing was done at the event.  I made colour notes and added the washes later.

every little helps

added wash

                                                                       urban sketch

love child of Roy Hodgson and Hedwig turns up at Euro 2012

double buggy proves useful for Euro 2012

bored by Euro 2012

engrossed in Euro 2012

looking regal in Cafe Rouge

apple

pear

bits and pieces from the Street party

the Street Party

sitting on benches

the new ride at the Olympic Park

at the genius bar

concert in the canteen