Emotions, 15" x 11", Mixed Media, 2008

Trapped indoors due to a continuous nagging headache, since Friday last week. I can't go out to sketch today, seems I need to slow down!

Well, I devise a plan, I get some old sketches and take it out on them, with all my emotions!

This was completed on canson pastel paper, with ink, coloured pencils, pastels, gouache, acrylic and watercolour...........

Jack

This is part of Karin Juricks' Different Strokes from different folks, I decided to have a go. A good way to get into some unfamiliar subject matter and another excuse to sketch, this time from a photograph of Jack.

You just need to go to the site to see the different interpretations of Jack it is so interesting!

Sketches on the train in September V

more people.......
This was an opportuntiy to draw two and a half heads!!!!!!!!

Sketches on the bus, train and tube in September IV

More people................

Sketch at Greenwich Creekside

For a very long time while commuting between Belvedere and London Bridge, a scene always caught my attention just a few seconds after passing Greenwich. It was an abandoned boat or should I say ship. I often tried to take pictures but the train was always too fast then I tried the recording the scene but I had a bit of difficulty with that too.

But yesterday I decided to search for a way of getting to the place and and I certainly found a great spot, where I made this sketch.

But it wasn't until I was going back home, yesterday, that I got the real position that won my heart. I shall be returning to this haven to paint, sketch and shoot more pics.

I used wolf's carbon pencil B and 6B in an A3 sketch pad.

Sketches on the train and the station and bustop in September III

Assorted heads and figures on the same page spread!

Barclays Finding Fan Gogh- the privelege to watch Arsenal play

Last year in my I was one of the 5 runners ups in the "Finding Fan Gogh" competition organized by The Barclay's Premiership. That award one me £1,000 and a pair of tickets to watch Arsenal play at the Emirates. I only used the opportunity last Saturday and it was an amazing experience. Arsenal won 3-0! Apart from that the stadium and the atmosphere inside it while the game was on was ELECTRIC!

As a young boy of 6 or 7 in 1978/79, I remember getting hooked on Arsenal through my cousin who lived in North London. But since that time I have always wondered when I'll be able to watch them play live. But, Art opened the door! funny enough, the very thing that got me drawing when I was 6 or 7 was actually drawing football players, I was highly influenced by Roy of the Rovers- a common football comic in the 70's!

I have posted here some images of me, my artist friend Dotun Alabi (we went together)and some during the match! also I have posted the winning art piece which was in mixed media and A4 in size.

Sketches on the bus, tube and train September II

I really enjoyed sketching the PSP player! Also, I have now got a new sketchbook! Its always great to start a new one.

I have also started using No 77 TOMBOW felt pen. Its a bit of a warmer gray.

Sketches on the train and some other places in September I

My sketch book has not been replaced yet so I found these cardboard offcuts in my bag and I found out that the biro works remarkably well on them, even better that the feel on paper. Also the felt pen doesn't blot that quickly and soak the paper up.

Sometimes we discover new materials and techniques because we had a lack of the usual stock or way of doing it before.

Sketches in on the train and tube in August XXV

More people, and my sketch book finished I had to use my cheaper versions for the rest of the days work.

I sketched a lovely lady on the train while coming back from watching my first live Arsenal match at the Emirates, she politely asked to see it, then requested if she could keep it. I couldn't resist giving her.............Now I have no record but memories of the process.

Sketches on the train in August XXIV

More sketches and more people!

I had some interesting observers today. After sketching one boys mum, he came over to have a look and said,"mama,come see, beautiful picture!".

Another girl found out I was sketching her and then she put up a smile that made it impossible to sketch and probably made me nervous too.

As I was sketching one guy in glasses, a little girl was asked by her mum to find out who I was sketching and she looked around and got it!

Some funny things happen while sketching and I have often got people who look at me with the most friendly smile ever.I wonder if they would have smiled to me that way without the sketching!

Sketches on the train in August XXIII

More people.

Sketches on the train in August XXII

More people!

2 Studies for larger paintings on London Bridge

It was bank holiday yesterday, not too many people around in the early mornings 8-11am, so I go to London Bridge to paint two studies on London Bridge. One faces Morgate, the other faces Tower Bridge.

I'm really gearing into the plein air stuff, this is my first in Central London, a bit daunting, especially when I put my hand into my pocket and my five pound note flew into the River Thames!

People crowd round ask so many questions, its fun!

You try to ignore then they say something funny and then they know you are not dumb!

Sketches on the train in August XXI

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