Sketchbook Studies

...from back in February...Just some general composition studies.

Family

Happy New Year everyone!!!

I did it, I posted on my blog each and every day of 2008! Phew!

I'm still considering my options for 2009 (Have lots in mind) so no specific plans as yet except to continue sketching each and every day.

Thank you for sharing last year with me, it wouldn't have been half as good without you!

In The Bath Again

...With my sketchbook!

Sketch Crawling With Harry

I felt a little guilty neglecting my journal over the holidays, so I decided to make up for it and create some fun time for myself and Harry at the same time.

A sketch crawl!

After dropping our bottles into the recycling bins at Doddington, Harry and I went into the post office to check our lottery tickets.
We then headed into nearby Wimblington in search of a bunch of flowers, picking up a hot comfort drink along the way from Sisco garage.
Flowerless, we paid our respects to some friends in Doddington graveyard before heading back home to grab a sofa each for the film 'K9'.
Later in the evening Harry decided to add paint to his sketches, I had coloured mine on location so took the opportunity to grab a final sketch of the day using the red pen selection I won from Andrea which arrived earlier that morning.

A most enjoyable day spent together laughing, sharing and snuggling. Harry made some fantastic studies in the short time spans we had.
Harry's sketches can be found on his blog HERE.

Christmas Mayhem

Christmas here has been a wonderful affair and I've been so wrapped up in all it's glory that I've neglected my daily journaling a little, skipping days here and there.
A quick spread in sepia ink was all I managed Christmas day between the eating, drinking, games and general indulgence.
Harry's corkscrew mayhem garage proved far too challenging for an impatient Mum, so my eldest Son came to the rescue and made sense of all the tiny illustrations to fit it together.
My hero!

Cookies For Santa

All set...Bring it on!!!

Gingerbread Men, Rudolf, Hockney and Pappas

Ooooh, it's getting closer!

The turkey was delivered today and looks scrumptious, I have a crown (breast only) and I buy one large leg just for my youngest Harry who loves the darker meat.
My journal page shows my eldest Son's Christmas stocking. He is almost 18 now but Rudolph has been with him from the start of all things Christmassy so he's part of our family.
Harry began his baking today and will finish with shortcake stars tomorrow all ready to leave out for Santa Christmas Eve. Such a festive family day, full of laughter, good food and a little rose wine...Mmmmm!
I finished my evening off making this journal page while watching a documentary called 'Waiting for Hockney', the story of Billy Pappas and his portrait of Marilyn Monroe. I thought the portrait was amazing in detail but I struggled with the amount of time it had taken him to create (almost a decade!) and the end result as a whole, for me, wasn't as breath taking as I had hoped. I appreciate the skill and time but wouldn't wish to hang it upon my wall.
Here's another perspective from artnet.

Let There Be Light

I am pleased to report that my little Angel granted my wish.
I completed my grocery shop today, with my sunglasses on, without any signs of a headache...The first headache free day in four days!

While I was out shopping my new tree was delivered...Let me explain...We have had the same Christmas tree since our very first Christmas and this year when we went into the barn to gather the decorations we couldn't find it. After much searching we found the tiny top half, it was only a small tree but it was so precious to me. Finding the top half of the tree helped, I have popped it into a pot as a mini tree so that it will always be a part of our festivities.
Left with no other option I ordered a new tree, a larger one which looked pretty online with it's frosted tips. It arrived today and I could hardly believe my luck when we opened it...It is covered with cones, berries and lights...None of this showed in the picture, the only reason I thought it might be a 'nice' tree is that it had been reduced from £99 to £34. It is gorgeous!!!
We are a very traditional family, change matters, we like things to stay the same, feel like home, we get attached. Everyone loved the tree instantly. It is huge compared to our old one and so, so pretty with all it's red berries and frosted tips.
The remnants of our old tree will always remain special but I am so thrilled to have such a beautiful replacement...I am guarding this one with my life!

The candle in my sketch is one of a pair that stand on the black iron fireplace throughout Christmas. They were actually very cheap and entirely plastic but look far superior, a small battery generates light from the bulb at the top and I use napkin rings around their base to add a splash of colour.

Rescued Angel

I rescued this angel from my parents when Mum decided to have a clear out a couple of years back.
This cheap, plastic, lattice style, tree topper crowned the tree every Christmas when I was a child and now rules over the tiny tree in my studio. She's been around for two generations and I'm hoping my boys will carry her on through a few more after me.

I sketched her today hoping she would repay me for rescuing her by ridding me of the terrible headaches I've been experiencing the past few days (probably caused by excitement, I'm worse than the kids at Christmas), hence the fairly basic sketch in ink.
I've made my wish and popped her back on the tree, now I'm off for an early night to give her a helping hand. I'm doing my HUGE Christmas grocery shop tomorrow in Asda and the lights in there often give me migraine, so I need all the help I can get.....and my sunglasses.
Wish me luck!

Santa

Finally I have the decorations out and something festive to post.
This gorgeous little fellow is about the size of my thumb and all the little bits and bobs he's holding move about, jingling on pieces of gold cord.
Adorable!

Hello

A couple of quick studies using an old copy of 'Hello' magazine as a reference, a couple of Stabilo point 88 pens and a black pigment liner.

Spend Spend Spend

It's Christmas time alright and my poor little purse has been taking some abuse.
Oh, I'm not moaning though, I love buying gifts for people and no two people deserve it more than my boys!
Our shopping trip was not designed around sketching, so I created a spread when I got home and my purse, bursting at the seams with receipts rather than cash, seemed the perfect subject.

Two For One

A vase I purchased a while back, a real bargain at just 99 pence in duck egg blue, sketched from the sofa while watching X-Factor repeats Sunday evening.
A quick sketch in the doctors surgery waiting room helped complete the spread Monday morning.
Nothing major, so please don't be concerned.

X Factor

Saturday was brimming with X-Factor goodies:

Harry brought home some cheap plastic animal shapes he'd 'won' in Christmas crackers from a meal the night before. Cheap, tacky little shapes that we moan about but wouldn't really replace for all the world, they are simply part of Christmas, an important part. First you select your cracker pulling partner, then you both clasp one end of the cracker, sliding your hand as far up towards the middle as you can go without getting caught, you yank hard. Oh the sheer delight when you win. All eyes in your direction, baited breath hanging in the air you read aloud the awful 'joke', pop your excuse for a hat on your head and proceed to look over it (because it's huge and it's slipped way down past your eyes) at the wonderful gift...Your prize!
Oh yes, cracker contents definitely have the X-Factor!

Chewy, strawberry flavoured, Dracula teeth are my latest addiction and it's a serious one. Not content with purchasing £1 worth every time I collect my eldest from the bus, I ordered a box of 120 of the juicy, delicious, little gems as a personal treat over Christmas. Today is the 15th and I have exactly 17 left. Ops!

Alexandra Burke, my favourite contestant of 2008, won the X-Factor and ripped out an amazing performance of 'Listen' live with Beyonce. You can watch it here.

Lastly but by no means least, the post woman delivered something very special in the post, something full of sunshine, love, heart and beauty. The most wonderful surprise that was filled with the X-Factor that is...Margaret Storer Roche.
Along with her own personally designed card came touching words that made my eyes weep, a handmade gift that I am saving until Christmas morning and numerous stamps and moo cards. Margaret is a very special lady who lives in Arizona, I met her right here on my blog and a day hasn't passed since that I haven't felt grateful for that. Her love for life and unique artwork make me smile each and every morning and I am so very proud to be able to call her my friend.
Thank you Margaret x

Taking A Load Off

Spent the day doing some extreme housework and the evening with my feet up in my cosy new slippers made of suede, wool and fake fur lining...So snug!

Street Life

Making use of the few minutes I had after arriving early to collect Harry from school.

Festive Goodies

Held my last class of the year on Wednesday and we spent it journaling some of the treats I'd lined up especially. I then dashed off to a Christmas buffet where I ate two slices of the most delicious lemon cheesecake I've ever tasted!
Yum!

New Weapon

Watch out dust webs here I come, with my very cute, brand new Dyson!

It's so light compared to my old Dyson and has this magic little ball it gracefully moves around on like a ballerina. It's tiny too but holds just as much as the old one.
I love it!

Little thing please little minds huh!

Latte With A View

A quick sketch of the HSBC building in Peterborough, from my cosy seat in Starbucks.

Soothing Sunday

I wish!
Sunday's always seem to be my busiest day of the week, what with a big family roast, the endless laundry and this week I worked on a painting too!