Dragons of London Prints

illustration of three dragons

Just a quick post to say that prints, featuring one of the designs I did for that OhhDeer.com competition last year, are now on sale in my store. Click and shop away. ;o)

Derelict Buildings - Vallance Road, E1

I've completed the first of what will hopefully become a series of personal work, based on derelict and forgotten buildings in London. Using the initial drawing (see below) I developed my transfer technique to create the outlines in oil paint. I then added colour with watercolour (it won't paint over the oil outlines), with a little bit of acrylic white for highlights. The method of essentially creating my own carbon paper was something I thought I'd invented whilst doing my degree. I only recently discovered that Paul Kleé was doing it years ago. It must be fate, good Karma - or a happy coincidence...

These empty shops are at the bottom of Vallance Road, East London, E1, just around the corner from Whitechapel station. I suspect they may be going through some form of refurbishment, and think they are fascinating. If you fancy seeing them yourself, hurry, as they are bound to become betting shops or gold exchanges very soon.

pencil drawing of a street

Drawing for Life - 12

Drawing of a female nude

The old life drawing, again. Escaping the crappy wet weather and drawing in a cosy room above a pub was the right thing to do. A pint of Guinness, some old blues/swing tunes on the iPod and two hours of drawing: works for me.

Instruments of Medicine - 2

Here are some more of the drawings I did at the Gordon Museum, in London, SE1. I have a few ideas of how to develop them (coupled with another visit to the museum if I can wangle it). However, that may not happen in the near future, so I thought it was only right to share some more, rather than keep it up my sleeve(s). An interesting array of devices and procedures here, but in case you can't read my writing I've listed their descriptions underneath.

Drawing of old medical instruments

Drawing of old medical instruments

Drawing for Life - 11

Back at the life drawing again. The first session of 2014 and it was rammed. I've never seen so many people there. It's good for Betty, but we'll see how many will stick to the "I must do more drawing" resolution.

drawing of a woman's head in profile

I was very happy to try out some new mark making tools - charcoal pencils. I like charcoal but miss the control you get with a pencil, so I thought I'd try them out.

Charcoal pencils

I was really pleased with the results (not something I say every week) so will definitely be trying them again.

drawing of a nude woman