Sketch of Dorothy, Graphite on Paper(A2) 2009

Today I got to sketch a wonderful lady introduced to me by my friend Graham, She is 102 years old and she is knowledgeable, humorous and friendly!



She used to teach nurses at St Thomas Hospital years ago and she even does some drawing herself. She showed me a picture she did in her 90's! I couldn't believe it! This is the oldest person I have met and I felt really great, having the opportunity to sketch her.



(detail)

Static Motion, 16" x 18", Mixed media on paper

This is my entry into Karin Jurick's DSFDF!

Some of you might know why I have interpreted this as a boxer, who has lost 2 rounds and is almost knocked off balance! He is sitting down at the interval before the third round, looking dazed. He has just escaped a knock out and he is feeling the pain! Thoughts are running through his head....Can I go on? Is it worth it? Should I just throw in the towel?......This is exactly how I felt after the British Airways voting didn't favour me for a second time! But then- This work is about static motion- That period where you contemplate, think, ponder and plan your next move. Like this boxer I am DETERMINED, EVEN MORE FIRED UP! This fight has to continue, this foe has to be defeated! I can make it! So even while working on this boxer- I felt the surge of energy and belief and also I added words, positive words on to the drawing, some of which you may not be able to see on the monitor screen, but they are all motivational phrases and that's it! STATIC MOTION- I may be static, but I am moving, planning my next move and I'm rest assured this battle is not mine but God's! VICTORY IS NIGH! Get up and stick in there!



(detail)

This piece was done with willow charcoal, ink, acrylic, coloured pencil and fixative on dark grey paper.

Sketch of Sloane Square, A3 Bristol Board(paper), oil base pencil/charcoal, 2009

Got out again on Tuesday evening. This time it's Sloane Square!


I've always loved this spot!

This was done with oil base pencil and the washes added with water mixed with charcoal dust.

Sketches on the bus in July IV

These are some recent sketches of people on buses in July.

Sketch of London Eye, 14" x 15", Oil Base Pencil/Charcoal, 2009

Today, I got to sketch the London Eye . It was a nice day and even though I arrived late in the afternoon, I still got to finish the sketch, as it stays bright for so long nowadays in the late summer.




This was done with Oil Base pencil(medium) with charcoal dust and water for the washes on card paper.

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Just as the picture shows-its either Breaking Point or a BREAKTHROUGH!

Please PLEASE VOTE if YOU HAVEN'T -I have got only 2 days to go and I'm 6th at the moment!

Your votes can change that!

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or copy and paste

www.greatbritons.ba.com/users/1752

THANKS!!!!

Sketch Of Horse Guards, London

Out and about again this week, I managed to get something of London, this time it was the Horse Guards!



They would be the best models in the world! You all know what I mean! But they do a lot of marching around too. I managed to keep two sketches going almost at the same time.

Kezia in sleep mode IV, A3 sketch book, Graphite, 2009

I wasn't too happy today as I couldn't go out....circumstances beyond my control! But anyway, at home lies the beauty too and that's given me room to look inwards once again! I was still wondering how to get my day going when Kezia fell into sleep mode and voila! I quickly grabbed my sketchbook to capture another precious moment of the little princess!



This was done rather quickly, as she does stay still for long, with graphite 3B pencil in my A3 sketchbook.

Not to forget this British Airways thing is becoming a MOUNTAIN, I guess-I'm still in 6th position and there's only 6 days to go! Please if you haven't voted please click HERE and SPREAD THE WORD TO ALL YOUR E-MAIL RECIPIENTS-IT WILL GO A LONG LONG WAY! Remember you need no donations for this campaign, just an e-mail and 2 minutes of your time and a few clicks! THANKS

Albert Bridge and Piccadilly Circus, Sketches of the City, 2009

These are the last two sketches for Thurday and Friday. I have really enjoyed this week and getting ready to do more and some portrait sittings next week!
Enjoy the sketches and pictures!






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Sketches on the bus in July III

More people! These people caught my attention all on the London buses!



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Sketch of Trafalgar Square(Facing St Martins and South Africa House) 14" x 14", Oil Base Pencil/charcoal, 2009

I was at Trafalgar Square today, I sat down around the area where the plinths are being erected with different people mounting it at different occasions.



The scene was so busy, people everywhere I tried sketching but before I pull a line or two they move! Well I ended up with a really rough sketch.



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Sketch of St Paul's, 14" x 19", Oil Base Pencil/Charcoal on paper, 2009

This is my second day out sketching in London, this time its the magnificent St Paul's Cathedral. It's a very imposing building and one of my favourites in London.



I had a a nice time sketching it but the weather wasn't that friendly as it kept changing from sunshine to rain drops, but towards the end it became nice and hot and almost too hot for comfort.



The sketch was done in oil base pencil and the wash with charcoal dust and water.




Don't forget to vote! Click here for the link

Recent Fun Day Sketches, July 2009

Before I start this post I'll like to tell you I have been shortlisted again!!! So I start my campaigns again for the next two weeks for votes- for those of you who don't know what this is about, it's a bursary award organised by British Airways to sponsor upcoming British Talents in various fields, for a free trip to their Dream destination, my dream is to capture New York. It is all down to public votes so SPREAD THE NEWS NEAR AND FAR!! CLICK HERE to VOTE.



For the past two weekends I have doing some more funday sketches, mostly of children. What pains me most is that I somehow forget to snap the pictures of the sketches, because it is all busy and buzzing.



At last one I attended I even got someone who asked me to sketch their dog, now that's no joke! I did it and they paid me double in the end! Enjoy the pictures and sketches!

Royal Exchange Sketch, 18" x 14", Oil Base Pencil/Charcoal on paper, 2009

For the rest of this month, I'll be out and about in the City of London and the West End capturing landmark shots of the beautiful city.



Today I was at the Royal Exchange where I felt a bit daunted, sketching right in the middle of the busy city spot. But after a few lines, mistakes, nervousness and panics, I manged to settle down to sketch the Royal Exchange. I started at 13.04hrs and finished around 15.05hrs. It was a great experience and I am inspired to keep this going! Tomorrow I 'll be targeting St Paul's Cathedral hopefully if somewhere else doesn't catch my attention.



This was done on a very heavy paper of about 350gms with the sketching done with oil base pencil and the wash with charcoal dust mixed with water.