Malta; memories in drawings

from Valletta looking across Grand Harbour

 

preliminary study of Valletta from Sliema, done on site with pen and oil pastel

 

 

 

Tarxien temple, pen sketch done on site

 

 Tarxien temple; with standing figures!

 

 

Mdina sketch in pen on A5 done on site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Clegg's nemesis?

Lord Rennard accused of sexual harassment; won't apologise. Libdem leader Nick Clegg caught between a rock and hard place; he knows there's something not right but LR holds the money. Power sex and money-----same old story.

Fineliner and watercolour wash.

Illustrrious end of an era

I've always been fascinated by the way the big carriers have changed the skyline. This is HMS Illustrious in Portsmouth harbour recently returned from the Philippines. She is about to be scrapped, the last one of the three. It coincides with end of Portsmouth as shipbuilding site for the Royal Navy.
fine liner on mountboard: a tribute

Christmas colours

Christingle; watercolour on postcard

Christ-mass, watercolour on A5 rough

 

flora not really my thing, but loved the colours in Christmas arrangement of poinsettia, cyclamen an variegated ivy. had fun flooding a postcard with watercolour

 

The long view; Advent Gospel

One of the blessings of retirement is the opportunity for the long view. After 40 years of being "up front" it is good to take a step back, participate but in a relaxed way. I realise my mind is filled with images of colours, postures, poses, and moments. Now I'm in a position to draw on them, literally and use them to express what I see. Here is a moment observed last Sunday, the reading of the Gospel. I'm very grateful to the priest and people of St Michael's and All Angels for making me welcome. This a tribute to them.

Mary and Jospeh: health and safety

I heard on the radio recently about a nativity play where the young girl playing Mary had to wear a riding hat because of health and safety. To be fair, the man hiring out the  donkey said it was the fault of his insurance company worried about litigation! It just got me thinking!

dip pen and colourwash on mount board (No pun intended!)

 

Three day stay at a Warner's Hotel: lots of opportunities for sketching! Here are some:

all the staff are young (in contrast to the visitors!)

see what I mean?

and one more:

all ink on A6 sketch book