Sunday, 11 June 2023

Urban Sketchers Swindon

This month, one of our members, Zoe, invited us to her open studio event, which was combined with that of a close neighbour.  As well as an interest in drawing,  Zoe writes educational children's books and these were displayed in her conservatory.  Seats for sketchers were scattered throughout the large, mature garden and I opted to start in the adjacent kitchen garden in an attempt to capture some of the horticultural chaos.  Secondly, I couldn't resist the far corner of the main garden, with it's untamed wild flowers and grasses, through which I could just see the child's Wendy house and the large shed, aptly named "Potting Shed Cafe", where tea and cakes were being served.  Blessed with warm, sunny weather it was the perfect place to spend a few hours.


A corner of the kitchen garden

The Potting Shed Cafe

The neighbour's event was in complete contrast, although just as fascinating.  The garden was completely paved over and filled with life size fantasy cars, motorbikes and robotic dragons, just a few of the creations of Podpad Studios (who supply props for TV, film etc.).





Wednesday, 7 June 2023

Avebury sketching

 Great weather for a day out at historic Avebury.  Lots of school children and foreign tourists exploring the ancient stone circle, so we opted for the relative quiet of the churchyard for our main sketching session.

Pen, coloured pencil, watercolour, wax crayon
on kraft paper