summer sketchbooks

Some extracts from summer sketchbooks, with more to follow over the next few weeks...

An ever-stretching wild river meadow of dandelions with fields of yellow oil-seed rape beyond, sweltering in the golden light of mid-summer, the river deep and fast behind me.
This was worked up from an in-situ sketch as preparatory work for a painting on canvas. I've started to work in a bigger format (A3 sketchbook) in an attempt to ease the transition from living in my sketchbook to stand-alone work.

Severn valley, Shropshire; 82cm x 30cm; inks, watercolour & enamels on gesso (Fiona)

This sunflower sketch was an experiment in using Ecoline watercolour inks. I bought a set a few years ago and have never really got to grips with them, mainly because I'm used to making a limited palette work hard, and tend to avoid brilliant colours.  However, the vibrancy of these inks really comes into its own using pen and wash. The subsequent Indian ink washes and cool conte crayon  work as a counter-balance.

sunflower; 30cm x 41cm; inks & conte crayon (Fiona)

bleached treetrunk, Himley Hall; 30cm x 41cm; inks, aquarelle & conte crayon (Fiona)

I sketched this old dead tree trunk in the teeth of a very brisk north wind, so worked quickly with a broad bamboo pen and various inks, flinging it all around in order to complete the entire sketch in about 15 minutes. That way I could get back quickly into the warm sunshine... but also a great way to free up a drawing and work expressively.

bluetits on snow

Here are two paintings of bluetits on snow by Jane.

Set perfectly against the recent snow and winter plants, the birds inhabit their colourful feathers against the landscape. In one painting the bird almost looks directly at the painter, but something has caught her eye; in the other, she is busy about her business, moving in for a closer look. Beautiful, charming,  perfectly true to life in their spontaneity.

winter trees

Jane draws with a light touch and great sensitivity. 

Here she has produced a charcoal drawing of birds fluttering through winter branches. She has tackled a difficult subject and unusual perspective and produced a vision of light that is stark and skeletal in places, and almost transparent in others, all beautifully observed. Her skillful drawing of bare branches and birds in flight is exquisite, producing an almost meditative effect.

Like many wild places in the area, Baggeridge Country Park is reclaimed from a hard-working industrial past, but now provides interesting walks and activities as well as varied habitats for plants, birds and animals.

The finished drawing is based on Jane's direct observation of the trees where she walks her dog almost every day. Her passion for the place is evident in the intensity of her vision.
 

winter trees; charcoal on paper, 42 x 60 cm/16.5" x 23.5", Jane

because reading matters...

the stories are in the stones..

If you haven't seen or heard of the story of the mysterious Edinburgh paper sculptures, then you're in for a treat. Placed mysteriously and anonymously in Edinburgh libraries over the course of a year, the ten sculptures were placed individually, accompanied by cryptic notes supporting books, stories, poetry and most particularly libraries.

the poetree

The sculptures are fragile, witty, beautiful and utterly exquisite. Guerilla art at its best.

once upon a time there was a book...

More about them at thisiscentralstation. They have been collected together into an exhibition and are now touring Scotland. Here's hoping the tour is extended to the rest of the UK in the new year.

A book called 'Gifted' has been published to accompany the exhibition, definitely on my santa wishlist.

And now the sculptor has struck again in celebration of scottish book week, five more magical sculptures scattered all over Scotland this time. Gallery here

because reading matters...