let's dance

Jiving

These were my three sketches for the second day of the post-three-sketches-for-five-days challenge. I went from three girls drawing, in my last post, to three girls dancing. I love this idea of drawing people whilst they are indulging in their own passion. Whatever that may be. That can only add another layer of richness to the work I think. Richness? Not the word I'm looking for, but it's late. And, I'm not so good with words. That's why draw.

Burlesque

You can find opportunities to draw people, doing their thing, here there and everywhere. I drew these three ladies at various events and places. In the last few months I've drawn a local choir, orchestra, band, knitters, drinkers. If you're brave enough (and I know it's not easy) just find out where people are meeting or rehearsing and ask if they mind you coming along and sitting quietly in a corner scribbling away. If it helps take a fellow sketcher or two.

Mexican

Last year I drew the TED Talks event in Manchester. That was a great day. It was a gig I got just through asking the organisers if I could do it. I got to listen to inspiring speakers whilst sketching them. I made a big A2 drawing, over the course of the day, of the 25 different speakers. I also stole a quote from each of them and worked them in amongst the sketches. Pretty much everyday I see that drawing (it's lay on top of my scanner as I haven't found anywhere to put it -with it being that big). One of the quotes that I borrowed was "life begins where your comfort zone ends". It's a great quote. And an even better idea.

the changing man

Here's just a little (it's all relative) something I knocked up in my sketchbook.

The story of the drawing goes a bit like this...

Sometime back in May I went to my friend, and Dr Sketchy partner, Lara Gothique's fabulous vaudeville extravaganza (I do love that word, extravaganza. In fact, I love both of those words; vaudeville and extravaganza) called Cupid Stunts. I sketched the whole show that evening. I came away with a load of drawings. Over twenty quick sketches.

One of the fabulous artistes that night was a Victorian strong man called Sir Leopold Aleksander. I got a good handful of sketches of him. They were pretty much all as below - simple line drawings.

Over the last couple of weeks, as I have been living a life of sobriety, I seem to have a bit more time on my hands in the evenings. Time to do the things I've wanted to do for ages but not got around to because wine got in the way. Time to go back through my sketchbooks and rework some of those quick sketches that needed a bit of the AJ treatment. So that's what I did with the, now, tattooed gentleman above, and, at some point, will do with the sketch below. Sure, they don't exactly look like the Victorian gent, but that's what happens when you a) sketch in the dark and b) complete the illustration using only your memory and a lot of imagination. And, that's what I love about drawing.

Thanks to Sir Leopold for the use of his body(?!)

Thanks to Lara for her fabulous show.

And thanks to Go Sober For October for giving me the headspace to draw instead of drink wine! 

If you can spare a bob or two please donate to my sobriety challenge. I am raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support. The most worthiest of causes. You can do that HERE.

And if you'd like to see a vaudeville extravaganza, and are in Sheffield next weekend (a long shot, perhaps), Lara is putting on another. Check it out HERE. Take your sketchbook!

now it's closing time, the music's fading out

Photography by Rod Walton

Now, if you visit this blog regularly, you'll be aware that I do bang on about Dr Sketchy every now and again. Well, not only am I hooked on the whole concept of these alternative life-drawing events, but, I also co-run the Dr Sketchy Sheffield branch, with my partner in crime, Lara Gothique, so, you know, a little banging on is allowed, right? And, to be honest, when we create these kind of amazing events I think we have every right to bang on. They're great!

Drawing by me

The photo, at the top of this post, is of me in action - or, more to the point, is of Tallulah in action. The drawing, above, is the end result. We are so lucky to have a couple of great venues to hold our shows. This one, the Old Clubhouse, Buxton, is a former Victorian genlteman's club. To say that it worked beautifully, as the saloon bar, in our Wild West themed evening last Wednesday, would be an understatement.

Photography by Eric Murphy

I have to say that seeing these images makes me hugely proud of what we achieve; the whole Dr Sketchy Sheffield team, that is. The models, the guys who volunteer their services - in the way of music and photography - just everyone. So, we don't make a penny out of it. But who cares? Success can't always be measured by money, right again??

Drawing by me

Which brings me on to our sketchers. Not only are the photos stunning, but the artwork produced on our evenings is insanely good and so varied too. You can see what I mean in our Facebook Group HERE. Plus, when all the sketchers leave saying they had a great time then that's how you measure success, I reckon.

Photography by Rod Walton

Oh, and making scenes like this, above, happen to.

cupid stunts

On Saturday night I went to sketch a Vaudeville extravaganza in the gorgeous Art Deco Library Theatre in Sheffield, called 'The Velvet Burlesque presents Cupid Stunts'. The show was all down to the sheer hard work and creativity of my Dr Sketchy partner, Burlesque teacher and performer, Lara Gothique.

I sketched the whole show, from beginning to end.

I sketched from before the doors opened...

 To the audience members arriving...

Some of them dressed to the nines...

 I sketched all the amazing acts. From fabulous Burlesque...

to a Victorian strongman.

And, I also sketched all those unexpected moments, that didn't go quite to plan, in between... 

 Plus, I sketched the audience's reaction to those moments...

 

I've wanted to sketch a whole show like this for a while. It's fast furious drawing. These are just a fraction of the sketches I made. Not bad for, basically, drawing in the dark.

 

Next time I'd like to venture backstage and draw the build up to the show too. Really get amongst the sequins and feathers. What do you think, Lara?

for such a long time now

Oh folks, my technology issues continue. But, as bored and frustrated as I am with it all, I'm not letting it get me down. No.

It's giving me more time to draw, create and make some new products ('citing!).

Still haven't got around to cleaning though, as you can see.

So yeah, I'm coping.

Missing you guys though.

Riot Burrrrrrl!

My favourite way to spend a day is just drawing for fun (hey, I know that's not everybody's idea of a riot but different strokes and all that). I feel that I haven't done that for months. I've either been drawing for work or I've been out and about practicing my skills. But, what's been missing in my drawing life is to do it just for a laugh. Now, yes, I know this one also has a purpose. Sure, it's also an promo for our next Dr Sketchy Sheffield event, but it never at any point felt like I was doing it for anything else but for fun.  And, I hope that shows!

into tomorrow

I'm very excited to announce that I am now one of the branch directors of Dr Sketchy Sheffield. I love these events and am hoping that the skill sets that myself and my new business partner Miss Hell's Belle (!) will bring to this very glamorous table will not only ensure it's future in Sheffield but will also see it flourish. If you want to know anything more about Dr Sketchy ask away, and if you live in and around Sheffield come along. It's huge fun.

A word about the drawing, I made this drawing of the girl and woodsman at our fairy tale Sketchy event. It was just an outline in various pens - mainly markers. After these events I always lay out all my drawings on the settee, for a day or two, so that I can deliberate, cogitate and digest as I'm walking past them or sat in the armchair. I then let the drawing tell me if it needs any more attention. Sometimes they need nothing, but with this one I kept seeing the 50s comic artwork and specifically Roy Lichtenstien. So, I went out and bought a Bingo pen.

Sketching Beauty

On Tuesday night I attended our local Dr Sketchy event in Sheffield. This time we had a fairy tale themed evening. I know I bang on about it often, but I really do love Dr Sketchy.

It was such a fun night. For those of you who don't know, Dr Sketchy is an alternative life drawing event. If you enjoy drawing, and music, and drinks, you really must seek out your closest Dr Sketchy branch. Our models on Tuesday were Little Red Riding Hood, the Woodsman and a Wicked Queen. Mwah-ha-ha-haaa.

Anyway, after much drama, down in the wood, the Wicked Queen ended up dead.

 And Little Red Riding Hood lived happily ever after. Phew.

If you live in, or near, Sheffield and would like to attend, get in contact. You can also join our Facebook group HERE. And follow us on Twitter HERE. And stay tuned for some exciting news about Dr Sketchy Sheffield. Well, I think it's exciting, anyway. Tra for now.

if you go down to the woods tonight....

Knocked up this promo drawing for our next Dr Sketchy Sheffield event in a couple of weeks time. I'm meant to be doing something else. I have a publishing deadline looming, which is why I am a) making posters for Dr Sketchy events and b) pissing around on the internet.

There's one thing that's really annoying me about this drawing, now that I see it on a screen, and that is the dark green bit at the top of the picture really needs straightening. Is there a straightening tool in Photoshop? I've looked for it. In fact, I wasted at least an hour looking for it, but couldn't find anything.

Anyway, if you are in Sheffield, or anywhere nearby, on the 18th of June, come and join us at the Greystones pub. I can guarantee a night of fabulous girls, great music and drawing. What more do you want on a Tuesday evening? The theme this time (just in case you haven't worked it out, and quite frankly, if you haven't a) I've failed miserably and b) you might be a little bit slow. Just saying) is fairy tale.

Now, I'm off to clean the bath or alphabeticise my DVDs or make up some new words (like alphabeticise) or....

well, we slept underneath all the stars and we talked about girls seen from afar

You might have seen both of these before in photos, on my blog, but I'm very happy with them and so I thought I'd post the scans. They are both from February's Dr Sketchy's circus evening in Sheffield. I still feel I'm a beginner when it comes to life drawing so when it goes well I feel particularly chuffed with myself. We have another event happening next week, so if you are in the area and would like to come along details can be found HERE. It's great fun.

PEN QUESTION: Right, folks, it's that time when I ask you for some help again. I'm looking for brown pens - just like the colours I've used in these drawings. Brown fine liners. Preferably with a variety of nib sizes. They need to be water and light resistant. And I need to buy them soon. Very soon! I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks in advance, penpals.

out of the sinking

Here's a piece that I have made for an upcoming exhibition organised by Cardboard Shelter (a charity that raises money and awareness about homelessness). They can explain, what they do, better than I can, so, if you are interested, check out their website HERE. Plus, there's some lovely artwork to look at.

But, the gist of it is that a bunch of artists contribute a piece of work, to be sold at the exhibition. No themes and just one rule; the artwork must be on cardboard. 'The idea of the cardboard canvas is a nod towards the material which provides shelter to many homeless'. I pinched that quote from their site. See, I told you they could explain it better.

For this piece, I reworked one of the sketches I'd made at a Dr. Sketchy event, of the lovely Hell's Belle, on a piece of cardboard from an old, used, sketchbook (what else?). I knew that I kept those old pieces of cardboard for a reason.

Making this got me thinking; I hardly ever draw on coloured paper. I don't know why. I must do it more often. I like the effect and the tones I got from blending the graphite pencil into the grey board. But, don't hold your breath, I was saying something similar when I contributed to this good cause some time ago. Check THIS out.

and it's you and it's me

A couple of drawings from the last two Dr Sketchy Sheffield events here. Above is the lovely Ieva modelling at the Greystone's pub, Sheffield. My fellow sketchy mates and I discussed this pose on our drive home that night, and all agreed it was definitely the most difficult of the evening. I was, however, pleasantly surprised when I got back and looked at this drawing. I'm just not so sure now I see it on screen.

So onto Tom, who I believe, was out first male model. This was at the Dr.Sketchy/Tramlines festival. When he first got into this position I wasn't confident about being able to make him look, um, human even. But, the best thing, I find, is to stop listening to those voices in your head and not even attempt to make a 'good' drawing. It's at that point you can relax and just play with your pens.

And, just in case you don't believe I drew this (not that there's any reason you shouldn't!) here I am in action. My drawings were also used to advertise this event, as you can see below and here.

feelin' devilish

Another from Dr. Sketchy Sheffield. No a cat did not walk into the pub during the pose. The drawing just told me to add a cat. I have no idea why but I always listen to the drawing when it speaks to me.

under the bridges of Paris

A couple more from this week's Dr. Sketchy event. In fact, I think I might just dedicate this whole week to lovely ladies and Dr. Sketchy.
Life drawing is all new to me so I have to ease myself into these drawing sessions. I start by sketching each new pose in my 'warm up' note book (the blue lined paper). If I like the pose, and the composition it makes on the page, I'll then re sketch it into my Moleskine sketchbook. I often then play around with the Moleskine sketches at home. Pimp them up, if you like.

So, that's what you have here; two versions of the same pose by the lovely Miss Pixie Parfait. The bottom is the warm up and at the top of this post the worked up version.

c'est si bon

I love Dr. Sketchy. I really do. Last night was another great session at The Greystones in Sheffield. We got to draw some stunning models to an Eartha Kitt soundtrack. What could be better than that? I was right in the zone too and produced a load of sketches. Sketches I'm pretty chuffed with. Here's one. It's my (ahem) prize winning drawing of the fabulous Miss Hells Belle. I'll post the rest soon. Cheers!

something for the weekend

I dug this out the other day. It's a roll of paper that I took to the very first Dr. Sketchy event I attended. Unfortunately, because it's a roll, it's really difficult to both scan and photograph which is a shame as there are some quite nice moments on it. I like this one which I made as the stunning Scarlett Daggers performed her routine. It was more than the guys at the front had bargained for on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Sheffield. Dr. Sketchy really is life drawing with a difference.

Now, everyone, join in.....

Da na na na, da na na na...

da na na na na naaaaaa......

Da Na da NA DA na da NA........

....doodoodoodoooo doodoodoodooooooooo.

nothing without a woman or a girl

Last night saw the second Dr Sketchy Sheffield event and, again, we were treated to some fabulous models and performances. For those not in the know Dr. Sketchy is an alternative life drawing class using Burlesque lovelies as models.

After rushing to get there I was thrown straight into a few poses before I had time to get my breath back. I always find it takes time to get settled in so I start with some warm up sketches and lots of blind contour drawings, like the ones below.

These are great events and I do hope that the Sheffield one will flourish. I'd recommend it to anyone in the city who loves drawing. Come along! Not only to you get to draw these gorgeous girlies whilst listening to scratchy old vintage 1920s gramophone classics, but there are prizes to be won too.

I won one for my drawing of the divine Fanny Divine at the top of this post. Bonus!