Sketches on the bus in May II

More people, still in the brown family one pagers. This time a more darker brown.

EMOTIONS X, 10" x 8", Sanguine/sepia dust and coloured pencils on Watercolour paper, 2009

This makes number 10 in my current Emotion series.



I saw this guy playing as a street entertainer at Woolwich Market on Saturday and immediately it clicked with me that he'll be great to draw in my emotions series as he was completely lost in the spirit and emotion of the music he was playing. Passers-by were all dropping coins, I did too and also I didn't forget to snap pictures too.

I have used the ghosting technique as explained in Emotions VII to do this piece, the only difference is that I have added sepia dust and more coloured pencils form the red/brown family and white coloured pencil/ink.

Sketches on the train and platforms in May I

More people and one pagers in brown/red family!

Sketches on the bus in April VI

These new red/brown family sketches will be done on one page and they are a way of recording simple fleeting moments as observed from the human face from life in a matter of seconds and sometimes minutes. These are some of the basic training I give my eyes , so that I can keep them in a good condition to see subtle movements and angles and features and record accordingly. I hope to finish this current sketchbook this way.





I have had a bit of difficulty scanning these to be the right colour, so some of the reds here are not this hot, it also depends on your monitor too.

Sketches on the bus and Bus Stops in April V

More people!!!







These sketches launch my use of the brown family of coloured pencil sketches on single pages just for this new sketch pad.

Triana, 10" X 13", Mixed Media on pastel paper, 2009

This is my entry into Karin Juricks DSFDF. I really liked the reference from the first sight of it! I have done a bit of research on other Diana statues and I added two other ones I liked- that's why I call it TRIANA.







I did this piece with graphite, biro, tom-bow wash pens, white ink, acrylic and wax crayons on light blue pastel paper.

What I tried to create with this piece was an atmosphere that flows with rhythm and sketch-like life to loosen up the rigidity that statues portray.

Sketches on the Bus and Bus Stops in April IV

More people and there was this old guy (above) on the 53 bus, who I simply fell in love with, his face was amazing, you could hardly see his eyes from his profile as it was tucked in by nature's work and some weathered living! I tried to put some colour notes down as I may love to transform this sketch into colour at some point on my other blog

Norman Road, Belvedere II, 10" x 8", Oil on Canvas board, 2009

This was painted yesterday in Alla prima style. The weather is just getting better and better and I couldn't resist going out again to get this lively late evening spring feel to Norman Road, around where I live. I have painted this scene Before but that was when it had just snowed heavily in London.





This time it is the same road but a complete contrast, it is spring and the late afternoons are really getting better and better! I did this in oil on a canvas stuck to masonite board.

There are some pics of the scene.

My Beloved Tree V, 8" x 10", Oil on Canvasboard, 2009

This was the my next shot after I finished number 4 in this series. This was more of a close up and I really had to zero-in to get the delicate features of this beautiful tree. I worked on it on site and finished it off in the studio



This was done in oil on a Winsor and Newton Canvas board.

My Beloved Tree IV, 10" x 8", oil on canvasboard, 2009

Yesterday I did this painting and finished it off in the studio this morning. I have sketched this tree before but it was so nice to get to paint it especially with its springy fresh foliage.




This was done on a Winsor and Newton Canvas Board in Oil colour.

Sketches on the Bus and at Bus Stops in April III

More people!! Sometimes they know , sometimes they don't, but one thing is constant, my eyes are always hungry for the next opportunity to sketch!

Sketches on the Bus and Bus Stops in April II

Some more people from sketches yesterday.

Cuteee, 20" x 16", coloured dust and coloured pencils on watercolour paper, 2009

This is another commission, I got this one while sketching my beloved tree II. This couple stopped while driving past and were quite impressed with my sketching in such cold conditions, they asked if I did portraits and I affirmed, they had a look at my sketchpad and agreed to have me do this piece of their granddaughter. I have had many good experiences when delivering portraits, but nothing came close to this one! Just revealing the piece out of its handmade envelope almost brought Grandma to tears! She gave me a hug and thanked me for a good job done! I won't go on to tell you more....the beauty of this sort of job is that you get great feedback. But yesterday, last night at church, my Pastor said we shall get instantaneous and exceeding answer to our prayers! I never knew mine would come this soon!




This was done in the same way I did Lady Tee. The only difference her was I used more sanguine than sepia.

Lady Tee, 16" x 16", Coloured dust and coloured pencils, 2009

This is the second commission done and dusted. If you've been reading this blog you'll remember my post on the little boy. Well this is his mum and that makes two out of 4 done! Yeee pee! I'm taking the bull by the horn now and I am really learning new possibilities with this Coloured(sepia, sanguine, black) dust and coloured pencils medium.




This one went through some changes but now the client is satisfied!

This was done with sepia, sanguine and black dust with a variety of brown, red and black coloured pencils on heavy watercolour paper to keep a monochrome and tonal feel to it.

Sketches on the train and tube in April I

Back to some train, tube people sketching, it always feel god to get back to them!