Peas! Yum…nuff said, spring is in the air…
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Author Archives: kathrynhockey
Selfie 1 – Sleepless
I’m not a good sleeper.
The other night I was restless and wide awake in bed so I decided to get up and draw myself:
On seeing the drawing the next morning a visiting friend asked “Who’s that?”
“It’s me” I replied.
“No!” he said, “That’s nothing like you…”
Which is strange because every time I see the sketch I absolutely recognise it as me..
Springtime Vejer
It was lovely to get out in the spring sunshine this Saturday morning with the Vejer Sketchers and capture this view of Vejer in pen and watercolour.
Tricky angle, hence the slanted sketchbook!
Alcázar de Jerez
Last Saturday morning I joined the Xerez Sketchers and Vejer Sketchers in the Alcázar de Jerez, a former moorish fortress. We spent a couple of very happy hours sketching, chatting and comparing techniques and results.
And we were featured in an article in the newspaper Diario de Jerez entitled ‘The Mysticism of Drawing’
Life Drawing 2
I joined the Vejer Sketchers in the castle for another life drawing session on Sunday morning, easily one of the coldest days we’ve had this winter.
Our model valiantly disrobed and while we drew, swathed in hats, scarfs and woollens, she patiently posed with a couple of meagre heaters and a hot water bottle to ward off the chill. Brave and generous to a fault.
All sketches charcoal and chalk pastel.
Starter for Ten (out of Ten)
Those who read my last blog about the mini cup cakes will know that I set myself the challenge of drawing the food at last night’s Alquimia food fest.
The food was indeed divine and the company sublime; my favourite dish was the starter, a delicious concoction of grilled asparagus on sour dough bread topped with a poached duck yolk and jamon Iberico de bellota, which in English means Iberian cured ham from free-range, acorn eating pigs.
The rest of the dishes were wonderful to look at as well, but not so my sketches! Blame fatigue, over excitement, self consciousness…whatever…I attempted two more and then decided to concentrate on eating my dinner while it was hot!
Thank you and congratulations to Alquimia, can’t wait for the next event.
Who can resist a Mini Cup Cake?
Q: What could be luckier than having a friend who brings homemade mini cup cakes round for tea?
A: Having a friend whose mini cup cake is the invitation for a whole evening of fabulous Alquimia fine dining!
So having painted its portrait in watercolours I happily followed the chocolate icing instructions…and delicious it was…(OK, I admit it, I ate more than one).
Really looking forward to this Saturday’s sold out Mar y Bellota event when I plan to sketch some more culinary delights before I eat them.
Valentine’s Sketch
To mark Valentine’s Day I made this pen and watercolour sketch of a tin heart mirror I brought back from Mexico.
May your heart have wings today and everyday….
‘El Carnaval’ Group Exhibition
Cádiz Carnaval is one of the best know carnivals in Spain. For two weeks every February the whole city is crazily vibrant with elaborately costumed groups, the most famous of which are the chirigotas, singing satirical and humurous songs they have taken all year to prepare.
Vejer Carnaval is a scaled down version and to celebrate it Arte Vejer are hosting a ‘Carnaval’ themed group art exhibition which opens today in their castle headquarters.
The exhibition space will be open on Saturdays and Sundays 12-2pm from 13th to 28th February 2016.
Click here to see photos of the event.
Carnaval is traditionally an opportunity to indulge in alcohol fueled mass revelry before the more austere Easter celebrations begin.
Masks and cross-dressing are typical so I went with a drag-queen inspired cartoon style character who is wearing a ‘Nuestra Señora‘ virgin inspired headdress (right).
I decided to crack open my new pastel set and experiment with bright colours and blending techniques. I used charcoal for the background and crumbled pastel dust over it to achieve a glittery effect.
All in all quite a messy, dusty process, but fun nevertheless.
Sketch Workshop
Some time ago Arte Vejer invited me to run an art workshop in their castle headquarters.
With no previous teaching experience I wasn’t sure what I could offer, then I remembered all the people who’d told me that they’d like to come out and draw with the Vejer Sketchers but are out of practice or lack confidence or find drawing stressful…or all of the above.
It then occurred to me that as a regular sketcher I do have some tips and tricks to share that could make the whole experience more fun and relaxed.
So having listed my tips and tricks in English and translated them into Spanish I had my workshop plan, and here we are discussing them.
The group then dispersed to sketch whatever caught their imagination and put some of the ideas into practice.
Feedback was very positive and I might very well run another workshop in the not too distant future.
I do truly believe that anyone can draw; it’s a matter of confidence, regular practice and being relaxed enough to shelve your expectations, to revel in the experiments your materials offer and to willingly ‘ruin’ those pristine paper sheets.