Thursday, January 31, 2013

zebra crossing


I photocopied the original sketch, then added watercolour and finally some Photoshop lighting.

urban sketch

Monday, January 28, 2013

Sunday, January 27, 2013

January's March


People gathering at the start of a march in south-east London. 
The Accident and Emergency Department at Lewisham Hospital faces closure.
For more information on the campaign, go to http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Illustration Friday - Myth

I may be a gullible Brit but even I don’t believe the urban myth that there are alligators roaming subterranean New York.  
Whatever next?  You’ll be telling me there are giant turtles doing martial arts…  

Monday, January 21, 2013

Sketching @Tate Modern

Although the building, and the view from it are quite stunning, I thought I’d draw some of the art whilst at the Tate Modern on Saturday.  



‘The Snail’ by Henri Matisse
Often it can be a surprise to see a painting or sculpture in real life after seeing it previously just in reproductions.  This artwork by Matisse was much bigger than I imagined, dwarfing the many viewers.


‘Tree of 12 metres’ by Giuseppe Penone
These rather elegant looking trees have been carved out of solid blocks of wood.



‘Trap’ by Pino Pascali
As I stood in the corner of the room sketching, I suddenly realised that some people were doing a double take and you could see them thinking, ‘Is she part of the artwork?’
A very excited little girl, who was having great fun running around the galleries, said ‘What’s that mama?’  I didn’t hear her mother’s reply but a little while later a small boy exclaimed gleefully, ‘Sausages!’as he ran into the room.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Ice Festival

 Canary Wharf is the venue for the London Ice Sculpting Festival event this weekend.


 I sketched there on Friday lunchtime, when the blocks of ice were starting to be carved.  Sculptors from various countries were hard at work, armed with chainsaws, cutting into the large ice blocks.  The weather was supporting the event by turning rather chilly.



More information on the event which continues today and tomorrow at http://www.londonicesculptingfestival.co.uk/




Thursday, January 10, 2013

Down in the tube station at midday


The London Underground is 150 years old this week and to celebrate, a sketch of the escalators at Canary Wharf Station, one of the newer stations, built by Foster and Partners and completed in 1999.  

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Born to be mild


As seen on the way back from the post office - an elderly man on a cross between a mobility scooter and a Harley Davidson, pootling along the pavement.  
Nice to know you’re never too old to be an easy rider.