Drawing Attention

 The September issue of "Drawing Attention" has just dropped into my inbox.

https://urbansketchers.org/2023/08/30/drawing-attention-september-2023/

Swindon and Cricklade Railway

We had a great day out at this local heritage railway site.  The weather was good, the Whistlestop Cafe was open for snacks, the many volunteers were welcoming and helpful.  This was a volunteer work day and, although no trains were scheduled to run, we did see the arrival of Thomas the Tank Engine on a low loader ready for next weekend's Bank Holiday events.

A quick warm-up sketch

The Waiting Room

Minimal sketching kit

 

1. My handbag sketching  kit consists of a handmade A6 watercolour sketchbook (a friend gifts me a new one each year), a propelling pencil, a Pilot G-Tec watersoluble pen, a white Gelly Roll (useful on toned paper), a water brush, a Koh-i-Noor multi-coloured pencil and maybe a couple of watercolour or Inktense pencils. The pens and pencils all fit neatly into an old, soft spectacle case.  Very easy to "grab and go" in case there is a sketching opportunity.

   If out for a dedicated sketching day, I will add an A5 sketchbook, a tiny set of watercolours and a small water spray.

   
   

   REPLY

Exhibition entries

Our local art group held its usual summer exhibition in Marlborough, trying out a reduced opening from it's usual one week to a long weekend.

Since lockdown I have struggled to produce finished paintings suitable for framing, preferring to concentrate on sketching and exploring different mediums and techniques.  However, I did manage two new works and was able to add a couple of older pieces.

Ink and watercolour

Gesso, acrylic and watercolour

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.).

June issue of Urban Sketchers e-zine

Drawing Attention 

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