Benwick, Cambridgeshire UK

 

Had a spare hour so I went for a walk along Benwick River with my dog and then added a quick sketch to my journal

Skeifs Row, Benwick, Cambridgeshire

 

Had to pop to a friend to collect something so thought I'd take my new 10x8 S&B Alpha journal and stop for a sketch along the way.

 

I am struggling to find a replacement for the W&N Ebony sketch books, that I have used for years, since the paper changed.

I read that Liz Steel likes this one so I thought it was worth a try.

I have used S&B before but always in hardback, was a little dubious about a soft cover sketchbook. It isn't as bad as I imagined actually. I do think it would be easier to manage in a smaller size though and scan. I've had to use this one landscape way up rather than go across the spread. So for me, it's not quite perfect in 10x8

 

The S&B paper is always a delight, colours remain so vibrant and move around nicely.

The softback is lighter, I can see the advantages of this on location and they are much more economical to the purse than the hardback version.

 

I've already ordered a Zeta in a smaller size and think that may solve my problem and be what I've been looking for.

Fingers crossed!!!

 

Benwick, Cambridgeshire UK

 

Popped the Sunday roast in the oven and drove into the next village for a quick sketch while it cooked

Benwick River

28-08-13a, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

Family stroll...no time for paint!

Benwick Memorial, Benwick, Cambridgeshire UK

18-06-13, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

The old shed behind the memorial was demolished a couple of weeks after sketching this scene, to make way for a shop. Glad I managed to capture the 'before' and hope to go back and capture the 'after' once the shop is built.
I'm happy to report that the memorial remains in place.

Benwick Memorial, Cambridgeshire UK

01-05-13c, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

A quick sketch driving through Benwick from Ramsey on the way to collect Harry from school, no time to paint! However, I did manage to paint the peppers I purchased for our salad later that evening, in various stages of being chopped!

Benwick River Bank, Cambridgeshire, UK

22-03-12, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

I haven't sketched along the river bank at Benwick for some time, it's such a lovely peaceful spot. This is one of the houses that backs onto the river on the other side of the water.

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.

Benwick River

19-08-10b
Originally uploaded by Anita Davies

Harry and I took a stroll along our favourite part of the river at Benwick and I grabbed a quick sketch while he fed the ducks.

Plein Air Painting

This morning I got together an acrylic plein air kit in a small bag, grabbed a primed canvas and a travel easel and packed my car to go painting. Being my first plein air trip out this year and about my 4th plein air trip with acrylics ever...I decided I shouldn't go far in case I had forgotten something, so I drove to Benwick and set up in the old graveyard there by the river.
I took a limited palette and just one square brush.
I left the house at 11.30 am and was back in it with numb hands and a full bladder by 1.30pm!

This is the result of my wonderful 90 minutes, under a tree, painting the world away.
Lots I'd change about both my kit and how I approach the painting next time, lots to learn, but I finally got out with my easel, it's a start!

Benwick Bridge

The old bridge at Benwick has recently had a make-over with fresh white paint and looks wonderful!

My Son, The Grog

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The school play and my Son, Harry, was a Grog...and what a wonderful Grog he was too!

Missing Cygnets

Last time Harry and I walked along the Nene river in Benwick we came across a swan and her cygnets, five of them...such a lovely sight. The next morning after dropping Harry at school I popped by the river and to my delight there they were again. This continued two mornings in a row.
On the third I found a swan and no cygnets. I hoped it was a different swan and 'our' swan and her babies were ok. When I collected Harry from school that day we made our journey home along the river and much further up than our usual haunt...there they were, all five of them, happily swimming along weith their Mum.

Waiting For The Kids

Sketched while waiting for Harry to come out of school.

School Fair

The final spread in my journal on Thursday was sketched at the local school fair, a few figures captured while enjoying the fun.

The spread below, complete with a portrait of me, was created by college student Francesca Moore...Love it, thanks Francesca!

Waiting For School To End

Had a few minutes spare before my youngest came out of school, so I sat at my favourite spot along the River Nene in Benwick and sketched one of the bridges.

I've sketched this view before here and here

Quackers and Roof Tops

A recent spread from my current journal.

School Run

The first spread, above, was completed along Benwick River after taking Harry into school and the spread below was completed the same day in Ramsey, sitting on the green, before collecting Harry from school.

It's surprising what you can find time for in the average day.

I'm Not Here

This is a scheduled posting, as was yesterday's.

I am currently on the Norfolk coast with my dear friend Joannie for the weekend. We intend to paint through the day and snuggle up to the log fire in the evenings with a glass or two of rose.

Joannie booked the little cottage for us as my birthday present, what a wonderful thing to do. I am just now loading my things and getting ready to go...I'm so excited!

Wish us luck with the British weather!

3 in 1

All of these spreads were created throughout the day on the 23 April.
...Sometimes one spread just isn't enough!