Tulips

Such nice spring flowers. Bright, colourful, petals like satin. Soft and shapely. It’s no wonder that there was a tulip frenzy a few centuries ago. Tulips with colours that look like flames due to a virus. A single tulip bulb could cost more than a house. I think this was in Holland. My favourites are the dark coloured ones, deep magenta or purple, almost black.

Yes tulips are one of my favourites. You have to remember to plant them deep enough about double the depth of the bulb I think? They tend to fade a bit in their second year but they give a good show if planted in drifts.

In and out

Some cats must be related to Yo-Yos! In, out, then in again, a bit of food, out, in again. A wash, sleep. Now our outdoor cat has sussed how to get in through the cat flap he’s busy using it..

But it’s raining, so each time he comes in he’s as wet as an otter! There is shelter in the shed or under the bicycle covers, but he likes mooching. No doubt he will be back in soon…

Painting with light.

You don’t have to add colour to all of a painting or watercolour sketch. With these two portraits I made marks where the shadows were and left other areas blank. The result still gave shape to the image but allows you to do something quickly (ten minutes). Using a limited palette also makes it easier. If you are not mixing a lot of colours you can create some interesting effects in a fast way.

This is college work, made for a daily sketchbook of observational drawings and paintings.

Vaccine

Today was second vaccine day. On a cold afternoon I went to a health center for it. It was probably colder and wetter than it was twelve weeks ago. It was certainly very windy.

It was great to get inside, everyone was socially distanced. People were seated around the edges of the room but I was ushered straight through after having my temperature taken. I think that was because I was on my second jab so they had already got my details.

A couple of minutes later I was being asked which arm I wanted the jab in. The nurse said ‘sharp scratch’ but to be honest I didn’t feel anything. After utting on my coat I went to sit with a group of people sitting a couple of meters apart. Ten minutes later, with no obvious side effects, I was allowed to go.

I went shopping on the way home. I feel fine, just an achy shoulder, and that might just be the pain I sometimes get in my frozen shoulder. Onwards and upwards. I hope the world can roll out the vaccine everywhere, not just in rich Western countries.

A pile of….

A pile of…. Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt. My rings on my little finger. I didn’t really wear any rings except my wedding ring and my mums that I inherited from her. But gradually my hubby has bought me more. I don’t want or need any more, this is enough of a pile of metal!

Coloured pencil, metallic pencil and felt pens.

Who’s it going to be?

I’m doing a painting on line, live, next week. I offered to do it for our mystery plays virtual performance next week. Its only going to have a small audience because we can’t have a big group on zoom. I’ve been watching Bob Ross programmes and I’ve always done paintings quickly but I think I’ve bit off more than I can chew!

Anyway I’m going to have just over an hour to get this finished, and better still they want me to start from scratch and if it’s OK they will raffle it off… Wish me luck!

Old digital doodle

Faces, I love them, portraits, doodles, there’s something that makes me draw them. Trying to get features right. I’ve always drawn eyes as well. I try to get them right, but I have a default eye or face, the way as I sketch I try and it from memory. Things like the size of the eyes. The eyelids, the shape of lips. The size and shape of eyebrows. Hairline. I find hair the most difficult. I need more practice, even after sixty years!