Black on Grey on White

It was time to reassess just what (art-wise) I could achieve in one-ish sitting. Seriously, each non commissioned drawing takes me between 80-120 hours (maybe more). Translated: weeks of work. The one question that I have not wanted  been to scared to answer  face but wich I have been asking for a while now, has been tackled and ... answered. Am I able to produce a wee bit quality in one day? Can I "perform" without all the time and detail and work and rework and endless thought? Can I get to the important nitty gritty and feel pleased with the result? Can I quieten the nagging "you -can-you-only-draw-slowly-and un-sponteneously" voice? Yes, yes, yes and YES! Here's the proof: Snaffles. Upping the anti (no comfort zone for me!), I used new paper (Fabriano), a new medium (Nitram Charcoal) and a new time frame (one day i.e: 6 hours drawing time). Drank two coffees, pumped up the volume and got cracking... Super chuffed with the result! Snaffles ...

2016 is going to be another fast mover, I can feel it.  Strapped in for the ride and grinning in anticipation. Wishing you all the "bestest" of rides and looking forward to seeing you along the way :D

Tender and trusting. I met Ally last year. Outside. free as a bird but never further than a metre away from us (and the camera lens). She was a sensational model, posing beautifully with an air of elegance and wisdom. Displaying an air of such grace and peace that instinctively the only way forward was to reach out and hug her. And hugged she was. "Ally" Pencil on Paper 42x48 cm Sold

Couldn't do it! Five posts without showing a wee bit of pencil work. Undo-able! Here's a mini selection of a couple of my favs. All are special, all mark important turning points, all are small personal victories All proof that pencils rock !!! Quality Time Pencil on Paper 2008 Not for Sale Agape Touch Pencil on Paper 2011 Sold Hurricane Pencil on Paper 2010 Sold Torn Pencil on Paper 2014 1.550 Euros Buckled Pencil on Paper 2014 950$ Available through the Equis Art Gallery 

Drawing Henry was easy. A warm friendly aura encircled him, reflected in his eyes, echoed in his sun-bleashed forelock, highlighted by his bold sprinkled blaze, completed by his soft snuggly nose. It was an honour to immortilise this noble soul. It is so easy to see why he is sorely missed. "Henry" pencil on paper SOLD Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved.

Currently on the board: a new drawing. Pencils have been scribbling dreamingly and slowly on this new piece. Leaving marks highlighting tenderness, trust and emotion. Technically I wanted to push myself and work big (57x46 cm). Emotionally it's all about pulling off combining that very special contact between horse and man. So far :  one (half-closed) eye and two ears closer to my goal! (Untitled) Pencil on Paper WIP Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved.

Sandor 41 x 29 cm pencil on paper. SOLD Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved. "My horse is ugly!" These words were said to me a few years ago after the subject of a portrait came up and they  bothered me ... no end. There is no such thing as an ugly horse. Every time my pencils get scribbling they prove it, show the world just how erroneous those words were. Each stroke merging tones, combining strength, proving in black on white the fallacy of this perception. A beautiful chiselled equine face has a “wow factor” but take one, like Sandor (pictured above) shaped out of honesty, wisdom and kindness the “wow factor” is just as big and lands just that little deeper. Underneath the muscle and the power is a mind blowing personality and astuteness that is anything but … ugly!