Black on Grey on White

It's been a crazy classic sunny summer complete with banjo playing tin men, static herons, green butterflies silky white roses. Today's walked raised the all important question . Are the colours fading, beautifully, but nevertheless fading...? The chill in the wind confirmed autumns presence...sadly. Had a great summer working in colour, discovering new harmonies . School starts in 36 hours. I'll be back in my "scribble" world. Back to working with drama, with contrast, with soul. Back to my beloved black on grey on white...

Jeanette Jobson author of the blog Illustrated Life graciously offered a great reference for us all to get stuck into. I loved the light (that special autumn glow) and the shadows of the leaves created. I saw so much in this reference but wasn't until I saw the rope that I knew where I was going! I was sticking to black and white (no graphitints) and going to " radically zoom " and flip (not literally of course...)! Working in black and white, I feel, always makes shape and symbolism that extra bit precious. This time was no exception. Summer has hung up its coat and left us for another year, leaves are just shadowed memories. The result a big drawing 33x24 cm on Strathmore Bristol smooth. The tooth of the paper was used as the foundation for the bark and the rest followed. All the drawing was done in 6B. The shadows are layers of graphite topped with charcoal. "End of Summer" Graphite on Paper, 33x24 cm Here's the reference photograph.  Another great c...

"Two Pears in a pod"   28x15 cm, Pencil on paper Here is my interpretation of this months Virtual Sketch date .  Both pears are done in graphite, the bigger one using Derwent 2B and the smaller one using Derwent Graphitints. As usual my strange vision zoomed into only a part of the reference photo. The lay and the shadow play of this particular pear, for some reason, inspired a "quick" sketch.  (This piece was done in just under two hours and therefore, I hope, still qualifies as a sketch.) On reflection: my feeling is I should do it again and this time have the colour in the foreground... off balance the way it is right now. Million thanks to Belinda Lindhart for providing the pick. Have a great week-end!  

I've jumped a long way out of my comfort zone and used a few spare hours on a cool inter-blog project: Virtual Sketch Date Here's the result using the gorgeous reference pic provided.  This was provided by fellow artist Sharon K.M . Thank-you. It's not a sketch (too much detail), it's not a finished drawing (too rough for that), it's a study with a million mistakes that have been taken aboard and not forgotten .  "Peony in Vase" 10x12 cm, s tudy in graphite This was fun and definately a much needed exercise . Looking forward to next months challenge.

I've never been interested in paintings of food ... Never, until last week. I was blown away as I watched this piece of sherry pie appear stroke by stroke. I sat and watched and ...aaaahed as I discovered the wonders of painting a pie. Pure talent. Bringing beauty and genius to the ordinary. Who I hear you think? Duane Keiser . Check him out ...