telly sketching the footie

A day at the races (almost)

The Pavilion entrance at Ascot Racecourse, from across the street.

Drawing to a finish

Yesterday the ‘Tour de France’ sped into London, finishing on The Mall.  I went along to sketch before it got too crowded, firstly at the ‘1000m to go’ kite and then just 150m from the finish. 

There were also some glimpses of the ‘Caravan’, a series of promotional vehicles which travel through in front of the cyclists.

I ended up just past the finish line where I was hoping to capture the riders as they slowed down.  I drew the background and waited until the riders came through but when they did, there was a flurry of media types rushing around along with support vehicles laden with spare bikes.

Anyone for Tennis?

Lunchtime today in Wimbledon town centre, where the 'Love Wimbledon' team were launching their Big Screen.  For those who are not lucky enough to get tickets to the real thing, you can sit in the deck chairs and experience a little of the atmosphere for free.  There are even a couple of astroturf sofas to relax on.

More details here http://www.lovewimbledon.org/visitors/whatson/

misheard

telly sketching the rugby

figure studies/yoga

I have been reliably informed by someone that knows, AKA MrsMac, that the positions are as follows; 

1. Balasana (Child’s pose)  

2. Malasana (Squat pose)  

3. Salamba Savangasana (headstand) and 

4, Balasana again!

Quick on the draw

I'm always looking for new people and places to draw, so when Hilary from Fit Perfect emailed me with an invitation to come along and sketch at a fitness Open Evening, I was keen to go along.  Sketching people is always challenging and when they are moving as quick as the wonderfully fit instructors it becomes especially so!  

Getting down to business.

Tanya running the 'Spin' class - nothing to do with Alistair Campbell or Whirling Dervishes but an exercise class on bikes.

At the Pilates class, the instructor makes it look easy!

Georgina leading the classy Ballet Fit.

Some 'speedy sketches' of some of the instructors.

If you would like to find out more about the classes, go to http://www.fitperfect.co.uk/

Fit Perfect South London (Beckenham)

HJA Inspiration House

38 Croydon Road, 

Elmers End

Beckenham

BR3 4BJ

Telephone 07801 225 660

bail

Bowls

Bowls at Hylton Colliery Welfare, County Durham.

Not quite Wimbledon

People of all ages were making the most of the deckchairs and free live screening of the tennis in Wimbledon town centre today. I sketched as Laura Robson played Kaia Kanepi to try and reach the quarterfinals.

Paved Paradise?

The skateboarding area known as the ‘undercroft’ on the Southbank in London is under threat of closure.  There is currently a plan to turn the area into shops as part of a redevelopment scheme.  The area has been home to skateboarders, BMX riders and graffiti artists for the last 40 years.

You can find out more information about their campaign to keep the site open at http://www.longlivesouthbank.com/

The new Lone Ranger?

One of the Wigan footballers, James McArthur, wore a face mask in a game at the weekend. 

Obviously a nod to the new Disney 'Lone Ranger' film out soon starring Johnny Depp and Arnie Hammer.

That man and Robin

Last minute scramble as the January transfer window closes...

live wrong

Michelin man-ager

If ever Arsene Wenger, current manager of Premiership football team Arsenal, needs a new career, then maybe he might think of applying to be the new Michelin man.  The coat he wears on match days wouldn’t need much stretching or altering to become a costume very similar to the one on the famous logo.  

It must be his French roots.

To find out more about the real Michelin man and Marius Rossillon, the artist who created the character, go to 

http://www.michelin.com/corporate/EN/group/michelin-man

Illustration Friday - Zoom!

In the summer, when the Olympic Torch Relay came to south east London, there was a lot of excitement on the streets near where I live,  including this teenage girl, who spent most of her time zooming up and down the traffic-free street before the parade arrived.  

the Runs of Brixton

‘Legacy’ was a word much bandied about in the Olympic summer. 

Saturday saw the locals of Brixton in south London start their own tradition by staging the first ‘Brixton Bolt’ sprint event.

In a street near the bustling market, overlooked by the railway arches, young and old competed for the title of the fastest in Brixton.  

Waiting to race.

On your marks!

For all the results go to http://brixtonbolt.com

The runners were way too fast to draw, so here’s a spectator to finish with.

The Velodrome

Named by some as ‘the Pringle’ due to the shape of its roof, the velodrome in the Olympic Park is one of the permanent structures built for London 2012.

Designed by Hopkins Architects and with structural engineering by Expedition Engineering, it is a really spectacular building.

(urban sketch)