from the sketch book...

The sketch book is such an important touch stone, to create focus, assemble thoughts, or even to stop thoughts altogether. To try things, in an unpressured way. Practice. Polish. Perfect. Play. Ponder. Produce. And above all, Personal.

 Chillies - water colour, about 3in x 3 in. These are in my smallest Moleskine book. The remaining drawings are in an A3 sized hard backed sketch book. Head, Giant Deer and Bear, location drawing at the Ulster Museum.

Next up - I'm on my way to NYC for a portrait painting masterclass...

Lea and Hollie's portfolio preparation - fun and work at the same time...

Yes, they look quiet enough, and they certainly did a brilliant job of ignoring the crowds that constantly streamed past, by totally focusing on their drawings... 

... and look at the SIZE of those drawings!! 

But when they'd finished, they were more than happy to give a good ROAR for the camera!!

Location drawing is good fun, once you get started. The girls were preparing their portfolios and loved doing the giant deer drawing so much that they did a second session of location work, drawing the figures below. Not easy. 

Some all-important sketch book work..