Socks!

Well, for a start I feel as though its been an eternity since I last posted anything! But on logging into the blog its been 3 weeks - so whilst that's longer than the norm, its not as bad as I thought! At the moment I'm desperately flitting from pillar to post (not blog posts though lol!) I'm currently in the middle of 9 projects, and dividing time between these has been a juggling act. This means that I haven't actively done any of 'my own' sketches, Olive has been gravely neglected to the point I think she'll be sending a post card to me soon, and Eli is still floating somewhere off the Hawaiian coast mid surf!!!! The problem with projects for others is they 9/10 a gift for someone and therefore it would be totally inappropriate to post the finished before that 'intended' has received it - Mmmmm, Oh for more hours in the day!......... Partial posts are my apology to all for nothing substantial. It would love to be able to post some of the projects as there's some really great new stuff going on.......... So I apologise fully in advance, for yet another partial post.... and something from the old old sketch pad!!!

Walking - incomplete

One of my favourite photo's of Eli is when she was about 4-5. She lived and died all summer in her swimming costume and fairy wings! It must be the only photo that my mother has ever managed to take of someone and actually keep there head on, but it captured what will always be the essence of her to a tee. This spurred on my return to art, and a very cheap little watercolour pallete to start. It was all good practice.

Cow -Watercolour

Here's one from my box of gems! Its almost therapeutic looking at early produce.... I wish I'd have kept all of my school work, now that really would have been a giggle!. Loose watercolours was certainly not my forte, I much prefer detailed work.

IF - Soaked

Ive recently purchased a new bed! And in the process of completely gutting the bedroom I came across a box on top of the wardrobe with a few gems in! This is one of them.... I shall post the others. Please don't laugh out loud too much hehehehe. I'm submitting this gem for IF this week, as previously posted there's a lot going on at the moment, but don't want to loose track.

Summer Fun - Working progress

I haven't posted in ages! There's SO much going on at the moment.... Ive got several projects on the go that seem to be taking up all of my time,and still not feeling 100% post Op. Unfortunately I cant post the ongoing projects, not just yet anyway. So here's a snippet of a working progress so as not to neglect the blog.............. Im still also practising with the Polychromo pencils on the fine art side. Its all go!!!!!!

Detail of working progress

Charity Auction

So, I'm not quite sure if this post could be a make or break post!
I have been asked by my colleagues at work if I would kindly do a picture so that they can Auction it at one of their Charity Do's. I'm Honored that they've asked and 'of course' was my reply. Ive put a link on the side so please take a look and support, its a good cause, Guide Dogs for the Blind and there's lots going on with this charity that my colleagues are arranging and I'm really pleased to be a small part.
I started the piece and then got to thinking, it will take a while to complete because of the detail, SO why not do a working progress and promote the cause along the way..... and Yes! Each time I post the progress I shall be reminding you all WHY this piece is being done.

The end product measures 25cm x 22cm, Polychromo Pencils on White Archival 210gsm Paper and will be mounted and framed. I hope the work done so far is obvious as to what it will be!

As a foot note, this is the first working progress I have ever dared to post :) bare with me please!

www.justgiving.com/norpop

Lesson #1 - Pear

Ok, so this isn't the usual post on here. But there's a number of factors....... I'm still getting to grips with coloured pencils as a medium so I've invested in some books. One of which I have now read from cover to cover several times and this one in particular is now proving to be the favourite. It has several exercises in the back, and this is my adaptation of exercise #1. The kids started back to school today, all be it for 3 days so its been a busy weekend getting things ready, and of course this Friday is the big wedding. Yes, we're having a small gathering at the house to celebrate the wedding, so there's a few preparations ahead..... SO this week I shall be opting out of IF, and probably wont get a lot else done picture wise. But to keep my hand in things I thought I'd practice from the hymn sheet so to speak and get to know this medium further. With that, I also had delivery of yet more colours from the range. I now have stock of just over half of the 120 in the Faber-Castell Polychromo range. It was like Christmas on Saturday when they were delivered. I really am liking these as a medium, but there's still so much to learn. I keep saying I want to do a step by step of how I get to one of my finished pieces, more from a learning point for me so I can look back and think 'you plonker', but I get so carried away once I start a piece that I forget to take the all important photos. This effort is by no means perfect, but I've learnt an awful lot in the 3 days its taken, and that's the most important part. Enjoy!

IF - Journey

I honestly didn't think Id get this one finished in time..... I cant tell you how long this one has taken me, but its given me a really good chance to explore my new pencils. So this weeks theme was Journey, and here's my interpretation.

Owl

I was asked to do an owl for someone, and initial thoughts were OMG! I don't think I've ever looked at an owl in detail.... I have to say I really enjoyed doing it. And on researching the owl community they really are beautiful creatures.....

Cup Cake

I got some new coloured pencils from the kids for mothers day! A new medium to completely get to grips with now, but here's the first attempt..... a chocolate cup cake!

Bear Doodle

Its been ages since I've done a bear doodle. I'll have to get some more done. Commission piece, Celia Bear.

Lace Basque

Pretty Lace Basque, drawn for Fran.

Dexters Cup Cake

Created for my little nephew, Dexter Lee Duncan. Belated birthday present, but something he can keep for life.

Tree of Life - Caroline Brown

Right! - so last week was a bad week, and post op pain seemed to block out everything 'arty' in me! hence no posts for a while. Whilst recouping I researched the web for inspiration, and also thought back to childhood. It got me thinking of my younger years, and how every Christmas my Mum & Dad bought us a 'doodle art'. It was a poster size sketch of intricate detail, that came with basic colouring pens that I'd sit for hours colouring in. I loved all the detail in each one and it kept me quiet for hours, something I'm sure had been well thought of when purchasing by my mother.... with not being able to move much after the Op I needed something that I could just sit comfortably on the sofa and loose myself in. So here it is. A tree of Life, and this one belongs to my sister Caroline! Its worth zooming in on this one as there's so much in the tree... enjoy!