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..
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!
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’
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.
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.
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.
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….
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.
The Vejer Sketchers met today for the first life drawing session in the new Arte Vejer castle headquarters.
The model we’d booked to sit for us couldn’t get her car started but luckily found us a splendid last minute stand-in and all went well until our half time coffee break in a local bar…
We returned to the castle to find ourselves locked out with all our equipment still inside. It took a fair amount of door thumping and shouting to attract the attention of the key toting tour guide inside.
All in all a very enjoyable if slightly chaotic morning. It was the first outing for my pastels too, I love the intensity of the colours, the granular texture and the smooth way they go on…I’m looking forward to conducting more experiments with them soon…
Here’s another juicy pen and watercolour sketch inspired by my search for cold remedies.
Lemon and Ginger, I salute you!