Something For Everyone

Seeing as I've been slack on posting here, recently, here's a jumble of bits and bobs. There's no particular way of grouping these finds and images: it's just a digital pile of goodies to rummage through. In an effort to garner some more viewers, though, this will be arranged into Buzzfeed-esque numbered list.

drawing of a Mermaid Court, London

Mermaid Court, London SE1. Inspired by a photo I took on my phone, I created a little birthday card for someone. She liked it, but was desperate to find a meaning in the arrangement of people, bollards and road markings. Any interpretations welcome. 

The Past on Glass (i). I've recently started doing some volunteer work with the archives department at Sutton Library, to help digitise their collection of glass negatives. Here are four images of Edwardian ladies that I thought looked intriguing (and quite modern).

illustration of man drawing

Expression Through Drawing. In an effort to show what is inside my head, and how drawing helps it come out, here's a new illustration. Oil, pencil and photoshop.

pastel drawing of a nude woman

A Return To Life Drawing. I found a new untutored session in Croydon at Matthews Yard. I've only been once, but it's good to be back.

illustration of Balham High Road

Balham High Road. I started this image last summer, but have only managed to complete it recently. I think the day that I shared it on Twitter, I was asked by Mimi's Artworks (81 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AP) if they could sell it in their gallery as prints. The lesson I've learnt is: finish every piece of work. You never know.

Look what's just arrived signed prints by #Mattbannister next stage framing and displaying @magbanno@MrsCarlieWelchpic.twitter.com/Rff9EZZbNH

— Mimi's Artworks (@mimivanger) April 17, 2015

Here it is again pride of place in the front of the window @magbanno@NPBalham@balhamdotcom@Balham_Life#artpic.twitter.com/Yw4w4MwIai — Mimi's Artworks (@mimivanger) April 21, 2015

Pick and Mix People

A combined post, methinks: incorporating a couple of different but both figure-based images.

Tattoo 123

illustration of the backs of three nude women

I felt that I should do something with the life drawings I've been producing in the last year. This was one of my favourites -  the back of a woman drawn with a charcoal pencil. To liven things up, and to create interest, I've added scans of some old textured paper and experimented with colour. So many people have tattoos these days, so I tried to think of unlikely subjects for a back 'stencil'. There are a few hints of consumerism, London life, ageing, and the labelling/branding of people within this if you look.

Regent's Park Sketch

sketch of people in a park

I had a Saturday afternoon to myself the other day, so on a scorching June day I headed up to Regent's Park, north London for some people watching. I found a friendly bench, plugged into a BBC Radio 4 Ray Bradbury drama, and relaxed. Actually, it was a bit too warm for concerted drawing, so I only managed this page of my sketchbook. The main problem was that except for the woman sitting on the floor, everyone else was moving. I had a few seconds to choose them, take a mental photo and start drawing. The little dog with the ball was definitely the hardest of all! At one point, a little group of rowdy 11 year olds bounded over asking what I was drawing. Comments ranged from "Are you an artist??", "How do you do that? Are you just looking and drawing it?" to a chorus of "That is sick!": sick being the current word for cool / good / well bad / ace / top / skill depending on how old you are, reader.

Drawing For Life - 16

drawing of a nude woman

I haven't added much life drawing recently (partly because I've not been to many of the sessions at The Sparrowhawk) so here is a small sprinkle of pics.

Drawing For Life - 15

Another life drawing to put on the pile, from quite a few weeks ago at Betty Frankenstien's drawing sessions in Crystal Palace. Some old textured paper, and a softer, less linear approach from me proved quite successful. The tweeters on Twitter quite liked it, too.  ;o)

Drawing For Life - 14

This is the best from the other week's life drawing. I think it has a whiff of an old master 'cartoon', no? It must be a combination of the brown and black colours on some off white paper.