some sunny day

You know, after banging on about how much I liked these notebooks, in my last post, it turns out that there are a couple of issues; a) they don't fit on my scanner b) the bit that does fit on my scanner does not scan well at all.Why is it so grey? I mean, it was a very grey day. To be honest, every time I've been on the ferry from Dover to Calais it's always been very very grey. But that's the English Channel for you. I've SO much work, from my trip, to post. I guess I'll have to get the camera out.

Oh, and you can tell how absolutely knackered I was at this point (I'd got up at 3 in the morning and by now we'd been on the road for hours). I was not 'wailing for the ferry to leave' and the cafe wasn't full of seagulls. I was looking at them through the window.

some moments that i've had

A couple of weeks ago I went on a little mini holiday. Holidays have been few and far between for me recently and almost all of the trips I've made, in the last few years, have been work related. I'm not complaining, I love any kind of travel. Work related or not.

But, there's something that I've been itching do for a while and that's journal a trip. A whole trip. From start to finish. If you are working and travelling that's more difficult to do, I find, because you are either planning or, er, working. So, this little mini break was my opportunity, and, I thought I'd share that with you. From start to finish.

I'll begin with the things that I took with me (I'm talking pens, sketchbooks, etc, and not how many pairs of knickers). Oh, firstly, I should say that as reading material I took Danny Gregory's 'An Illustrated Journey'. This is the first chance, since receiving my copy, that I've had to sit and read and study the book. It was a great travel companion.

Right then, pens and pencils. At this point, I should mention, that I'm not really best suited to drawing en location. You might be able to see why. Yep, simply because I cannot make a decision. Ever. About anything. That tends to be an issue when I'm drawing and travelling; I cannot decide what to take so I just end up taking loads of stuff. Perhaps it's because I'm not that experienced at outdoor sketching yet; I haven't narrowed down my tools. Or, perhaps it's because I cannot make a decision. Ever.

(above, from left to right);

1. a set of pencils (not the ones I use at home - jeeez, I'd need another suitcase if I took those - just a relatively cheap set that I bought many moons ago and have never used)
2. a box filled with various brown, green and natural coloured pens
3. a pencil case of blue ballpoint pens
4. some black fine liners and pens.

And, so to the paper. Recently, I've been using these notebooks for making quick sketches in. My normal sketchbook of choice is the Moleskine, but, these days, I've been trying out other stuff. I read, in An Illustrated Journal, an artist say that they liked the Moleskine because it was like a novel. I completely relate to that, that's exactly what I love about them, but, also, that's the reason I didn't want to take one. I tend to get a bit geeky about the work I do in my Moleskines. I take too much care in them because I'm always seeing the book as a whole. So, I wanted to take something where I could be more, er, um, carefree (?).

 So, I found these notebooks in my favourite shop, Atticus Boo, where I buy all my sketchbooks. I found them whilst looking through their selection of gorgeous stationery. I'd never heard of this brand but knew that they'd be quality as everything in Atticus Boo is. I've given this series of books the title 'some moments that I've had' because they are filled with (sketched) moments that I've had - and, more to the point, because it's a beautiful Kate Bush lyric.

 I remember the firs time I bought one and opened it up to find this little piece of poetry on the fly leaf. It's those tiny little surprises, those little moments, that I love and that spark my imagination and creativity. The lush paper comes in a range of colours. So far I've completed one with a dark cream paper and a blue lined paper. The one I took away with me, this time, was the off white virgin paper you can see below.  

 It's not a sketchbook so I've come to accept that the paper cannot handle the amount of ink I throw at it without bleeding, a little, through the page. But I don't mind. I kind of like it, in fact. Another piece I read in An Illustrated Journey, by the amazing Fabio Consoli, he says 'Energy doesn't come from the pride of having a nice drawing but from the act of drawing it, the act of doing and living in the present, the here and now'. I like that I can be less precious, in these notebooks, than I am with my Moleskines. There's a place for both approaches in my life.

This is the label on the back and might help you if you are a notebook nerd and would like to track them down. I recommend them.

Well, this post was never meant to be soooo long. But, finally, I'm all set and ready to hit the road. Next time I'll show you some of the drawings from my trip and from this journal - if you haven't already lost the will to live. To be continued....

looking down on everything

Just an acorn. A little acorn. That's all.

And, it's here. For you. For a penny. Just a little penny.

put your lights on

I'm back. Circus life was not for me. No, I have too much baggage (well, boxes) to lug around.
Not much to say about this drawing, really, except that throughout it I had this song playing in my mind;

Hey now, all you sinners
Put your lights on,
put your lights on

'Cause there's a monster,
living under my bed,
whispering in my ear
And there's an angel,
with a hand on my head
She say I got nothing to fear

There's a darkness,
living deep in my soul
it still got a purpose to serve               
So let your lights shine,
deep into my home
God don't let me lose my nerve,
don't let me lose my nerve

From Supernatural by Santana.
'Put Your Lights On' lyrics by Everlast.

where wine, dance and music is the name of the game

Guys, I've decided; I'm running away with the circus. I don't know how long I'll be gone (probably about a week) but I have to do it. I've tried everything else and none of it has worked out. So, it's the only thing left to do. See you when I get back. Unless I decide that circus life is for me.

and it gleamed in the distance and it shone like the sun

A new one here. When I started this it was going to be one of my trademark pen drawings. Just a bunch of pens on a page. I don't know at what point it became London Bridge. That's even if it is London bridge and not, in fact, Tower Bridge.

Can you read the text on this one? Cos, I seriously have NO idea what I'm doing when it comes to resizing these days. It's pot luck.

Anyway, this one drawing is not just new to my blog, but it's new to my shop too. I've put a few originals up for sale over the last few days. Have a gander HERE.

i'm not out to convince you or draw upon your mind

 Finally, it's here! Yes, my copy of Danny Gregory's new book 'An Illustrated Journey' has arrived. And, somebody can't wait to see inside.

And, I don't blame her. It really is amazing. Really, I'm not just saying that because I'm in it. It's page after page of gorgeous sketchbook artwork. A cornucopia of carnet de voyage.

 My pages are nestled inbetween Cathy Johnson and Tommy Kane. Can you imagine that? Way back in my own (illustrated) journey I'd marvel at both of their work and dream of, one day, being a teeny weeny bit as good as them.

 Plus, there are just SO many other artists that I adore. ADORE, I won't mention any for the fear of leaving some out. You'll just have to get your own copy. It's worth every penny.

 A huge thank you to Danny for including me in this book. Now, I'm off for a cuppa. Then I'm going to sit down and travel the world, because somebody is just not prepared to wait any longer....

Oh, and you can get it HERE.

witt woo

We are coming soon. We really are.  We were supposed to be here for Valentines Day but that would have been a bit obvious, a bit predictable, you know, with us being lovebirds and all. AJ is just doing a little more tweaking and then we'll be ready to be introduced to you - properly. Catch you later.

side by side in idle talk

It seems wrong talking about Christmas at this time of year. Quite frankly, I don't want to even think about it until next December, (December the 24th to be precise), but due to all my recent technology issues I never got to post the drawings from our Sketchcrawl Christmas lunch/get-together. We met on a Saturday afternoon at the Harland Cafe in Sheffield. What a great little place. And, so cheap. I can't remember the last time I had a meal, dessert and a couple of drinks for less than a tenner. Plus, I had an extra portion of chips - which were amazing. But, this is what's known as going off on a tangent (it's the sort of thing I remember, though; good chips). Here are just a few sketches I made. I came home with absolutely tonnes of drawings. Some days are like that, though, right? Some days you're just unstoppable.  

 Anyway, I'd like to introduce you to a couple of our group;.

Harry has been drawing with Sketchcrawl North for longer than me. Despite being one of our youngest members he is a veteran. I think he'd been scribbling away since about the age of ten (ish). His work is great now, so I can only imagine what it'll be like in a few years time if he continues at this rate.

Now, I can't pretend I know this baby. He, or she, was sat on a table close by. On these sketchcrawl outings I try to take a few tools that I wouldn't normally use, to change things up a bit. I made this baby sketch with one of my lovely old calligraphy pens. I really must use them more. I pinched a blue pencil, from one of the group, to create his, or her, rosy cheeks.

And, finally, another of our regulars Jane, in her lovely jumper. It's so nice I drew it twice. Here and in the top drawing.

Thanks for all the recent response about resizing vs watermarking images, etc. As you might be able to tell, from this post, I still don't have a bloody clue what I'm doing.

Happy Christmas!

i got a deal for you right here

A couple of new additions to my Etsy shop here. Above, an original drawing I made a couple of years back. It is actually my kitchen table which also doubles up as my work space. Read more about it HERE.

Below, another original, a brand new little drawing of this poorly saggy old owl. Go on, give him a home. He can be found HERE.

what am i doing here? what am i doing here?

I made this drawing on the plane home from France a couple of months back. This girl, who I was sitting next to, slept for most of the journey and so I got to draw her a few times. I added a bit of colour when I got home. I can't decide whether I like it or really dislike it, but hey ho - that's the way it goes.

A huge thanks for the big response to my last post about protecting one's artwork online. It seems that watermarking is probably the best option but I'm still undecided. I'm not a fan, in all honesty. I always want to give the viewers of my work the best way to, er, view my work. I guess, I now have to weigh up the options of watermarking, resizing images or just continuing to post as I always have.

Plus, I have to work out how to use Photoshop, which, I can tell you, is NOT coming easy. So, bear with me, and excuse my images being too big, too small, unreadable, etc. And, excuse me for being an ignoramus.

way past the stars

Yesterday, for the first time, in a long time, I finally sat down and drew (is that a word?). I mean really really drew (why does it not sound or look like a word?). Or, I lost myself in a drawing, that's what I'm trying to say. I let the drawing direct my pen and just went for it. I went nuts all over the page. I love it when that happens and it's been too long since it did. I wanted to draw how it feels to be hyper creative. To the point where sleep escapes you.

So, here's a bit of a milestone for me (I seem to have been hitting these milestones left, right and centre recently);  this is my 700th blog post! SEVEN chuffing HUNDRED?!! How did that happen? I'm flabbergasted (now, there's a word I love and do not get the opportunity to use often enough).

I'd like to ask for a little advice, folks. Since inheriting this new laptop, and all it's programmes, I am trying to learn Photoshop. For a long time (for about 700 posts) I've been concerned that the size of the images I've been posting are MASSIVE. They've been stolen and printed on all sorts of products. I have, for the first time, here, posted an image that (I hope) is not printable and pinchable (now that can't be a word). Does that spoil your viewing experience? Is this the only way to protect my work? What do you think about it? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

And, thanks for all the visits and comments over the last seven hundred posts. Did I mention that this is my seven hundredth post?

it's an old romance, it hasn't gone to sleep

Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that not only does Danny Gregory have a new book out but I'm featured in it. And, I'm pretty damn well chuffed. It was finding the Everyday Matter's group, all those years ago, that kick started my own creative journey. Plus, I'm snuggled under the covers with artists that I totally adore. Read more on Danny's blog. Cannot wait to get my copy.

i guess i'll call it sickness gone

Here's another sketchbook spread that, until now, had remained unposted. I made this some time last summer at my friend, and drawing companion, Lynne Chapman's house. Lynne was planning a workshop that she was giving at last year's Urban Sketcher's Symposium and used some of our Sketchcrawl group as guinea pigs.

I've made no secret that I've been finding it difficult to get into drawing for some time. Jeez, I've been banging on about it for months. It's funny though, it's only when I am out drawing with other people that it's not an issue. I actually enjoy that more than when I'm sat at home drawing, doing my own thing. Perhaps it's because I'm stretching myself. I dunno. But, I do know this; the little drawing of a typewriter, and the bike actually, have pleased me more than anything else I've drawn in quite some time. They were drawn in a totally alien way to how I would normally draw (water colour pencil was put on the page before I drew the shapes in) and that's exciting.

Maybe it's time for a change.

love is a two way street

your faves (25+), a set on Flickr.

Just thought I'd share this with you. Here is a set of pictures I made on Flickr. Damn, I bloody love Flickr - but that's not the point.

Each of the 300 drawings (and a few photos) in this set have been 'Favourited' 25+ times. Three hundred!!!

Thanks for the the Faves, comments, visits on Flickr, Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, etc. I appreciate them more than you know.