New Years Eve

31-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

New Years Eve sketches - Noodlers Walnut ink and watercolour in daily journal.

Happy New Year!

30-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Yep! You guessed it...More new shoes! One of the pressies I got this Christmas!
It feels good to be sketching again, after what seems like such a huge break.

Happy New Year to all, may 2011 find you all in good health!

Seasonal Remnants

29-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers Walnut ink and watercolour in daily journal.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas!

Angels

19-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers Walnut ink and watercolour in daily journal

Final Class Of 2010

14-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers bullet proof black ink and watercolour in daily journal.

New Shoes

12-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers bullet proof black ink and watercolour in daily journal

Jane

06-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers red/blk ink and watercolour in daily journal

I haven't sketched much at all lately, which really isn't like me BUT I have had to catch up on all those jobs I couldn't do while I was feeling poorly...so I do have an excuse ...of sorts!
I miss my journal though.

In our last class together, Jane and I used the last 10 mins or so to sketch one another at the same time, a challenging task to say the least, but Jane is a wonderful person and a fantastic student who always rises to a challenge.

Pampered

05-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

I went for it... I got myself some choppy layers and a fringe! I kept the length but now my hair stays out of my face, which is what has been annoying me.

Not been sketching too much recently, I've been trying to catch up on the six weeks that I was poorly; Christmas shopping, tidying and the never ending laundry! Feeling much better but even now this dreaded bug still lingers slightly, nothing I can't handle now though!

On Sunday I went into Ely to collect a Christmas gift and decided to treat myself to a cream tea in Peacocks before venturing home to cook the Sunday roast.
I love Peacocks!

Time For A Change?

03-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

My studio turned into a salon again today as I coloured my roots ready for the festive season. I'm booked in for a trim tomorrow afternoon and I am seriously thinking about a style change...been thinking about it for several years now, maybe this time I'll pluck up the courage to take the plunge!?!

Iris

02-12-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers bullet proof black ink and watercolour in daily journal.

December...Bring It On!

30-11-10b
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to have something new in the house to sketch! I feel like I've been a prisoner in these four walls forever with this recent illness that has lasted almost 6 weeks!!!
I am feeling much more like myself now....not perfect...but then, was I ever perfect?...I can't remember! LOL!

Couldn't resist a pot of red to brighten up the home and mark the end of another foul November and the beginning of 'the Christmas month'...Just 24 days to go...I'm so excited!

Snow

30-11-10a
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

A quick sketch of the view from my studio window using gouache, just to capture some of the recent snow in my daily journal.

Basic Kit

28-11-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Managed a spread, despite my head feeling like it's caving in!
It's my sinuses giving me pain now a family ailment that I'm sure my drugs are now working on...I can feel improvement, slowly but surely.

Decided to sketch some of my journal kit, besides my hands (obviously, LOL!), a cheap synthetic brush and a Lamy filled with Noodlers ink, I have a palette, a rag and a water bottle. This is always in my handbag and my handbag usually joins me in the lounge and I sketch with this kit while at home too!
Pen, brush, paint, rag and water...just 5 items and, of course, my current journal.
I have 5 Lamys, each filled with a different colour Noodlers ink, but the one I've been using recently is the Pink one filled with Bulletproof Black ink.

Daily Journal

22-11-10b
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

A quick sketch in Benwick, on the way back from Ramsey, before collecting Harry from the school bus and some evening doodles.

My cold is back! I can't believe it! I woke the next morning to swollen glands, a sore throat and sinus pain.
It's been over a month now....I submit!
I now have drugs from my GP.

Choices

22-11-10a
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

A quick trip into Ramsey and a visit to Choices Cafe for an Italian Blend...Yum!

The Weekend

20-21-11-10
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers bullet proof black ink and watercolour in daily journal

Class Demo Revisited

22-11-10-ClassDemo-smll
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

This is the class demo I did yesterday, using the 15 min watercolour base from last weeks class.
The task was to create atmosphere and depth.
I found it difficult to photograph (there is a hot, vibrant pink in there that the camera just will not pick up)

I spent approx. 1 hour on this piece, working on many techniques and applications. My student loved the session and we both ended up smothered in pastel, along with most of the door handles in my home!

The house was added at the end to show the versitality of using mixed media (light over dark) a valuable lesson, although I think preferred the scene without it.

30x30cm - Mixed Media

Class Demo

15-11-10-ClassDemo
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

This is a demo I did in class last week with a student, we are working with mixed media to introduce various mediums and to add a little pre-Christmas fun to the mix after all her hard work throughout the year.
This is the base layer, painted with a very large brush using watercolour to gain a ground and map out our areas and composition...no pencil sketch was used. It was a very quick process (approx 15 mins) and I painted alongside my student so she could see my applications while she worked on hers. I started a few minutes after her and noticed a considerable change in her application after watching me, her washes became wetter and her strokes looser - Great!

Today we will be adding to it using various delights such as gouache and soft pastel. I have no idea how it will turn out or how I will approach it myself until I start and I love that.
It's gonna be fun and a learning experience for us both!

Watercolour on 30x30cm Hahnemuhle Quattro watercolour block

Exercise

19-11-10b
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers bullet proof black ink and watercolour in daily journal

Cake and Comfort

19-11-10a
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Noodlers bullet proof black ink and watercolour in daily journal