Artrage and photodirector

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Drawn in artrage oils and edited in photodirector changing the colours and style.

This is what I mean about playing with are, yes this is a scrappy sketch, but it’s my scrappy sketch, amended and changed how I want. I would love to illustrate a book using a style like this. I could imagine creating pictures about a crazy cat in a children’s book.

I was once offered the opportunity to illustrate a book but the publishers woukd only allow the author to use an in house illustrator. I was very disappointed as I think I could have created a different atmosphere by working with her. Oh well….

Steps holding the pear tree up.

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We have to put a piece of wood under one bough of the pear tree but in the strong winds last week we had to put step ladders under the other limb. Surprisingly there are lots of pears setting on it. It may be that it’s because it’s more horizontal and fruit does tend to set (develop) on horizontal branches. Thats why some fruit trees are tied onto walls. Is it called espalies?

The cherry tree behind it is also covered in fruit. Looks like it might be a bumper crop! The bush/tree cut in step shapes is an old evergreen we have had for years. It grows slowly and I practice topiary on it. The rest of the garden is very leafy. I’m going to have to get someone in in the autumn or winter, to cut things back slightly and let a bit more light in.

Time for a cool glass

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Thirsty, I really fancy a cool glass of juice. But I don’t have any in. So a glass of cold water with some ice will have to suffice.

I had to do some shopping today. I was pushing a trolley and people kept scooting past me. Two meter distance? it seemed that people were not that bothered! I get in and out as quickly as I can. There is the problem of using touch screens, I walk round with gloves and a face mask, but have to take the gloves off to put my pin in! I could try ordering on line, but apparently there is a three week wait for slots!

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Is anyone else washing their shopping?

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Is it strange to wash my shopping? I get in and wipe each item over with washing up liquid. It’s making my hands sore, but I think it’s important to do it. Sorry about the little sketch but I didn’t want to advertise what groceries I buy.

Anyway, I know the coverings might be perfectly clean, but my argument is that you don’t know who has handled them.

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Last day of this challenge.

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Ariel birds! These were visiting our bird feeder today. I only got a glimpse so I added the flying one from a photo. Can’t tell you what these are they are all I could draw, but the one on the feeder was a bluetit. But I couldn’t get the details quick enough….. This is the last of this challenge. This was day 38. The last of the current challenge. We may be moving on to a list of prompts every other day to keep going….

I have to say this has made me look at things differently and made me realise I can draw a lot of things, although my straight lines are a bit wobbly!

Setting moon….

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From my (short) perspective, he moon was already set, but my hubby, who is a lot taller could still see it. So I held my phone up high, took it off auto onto manual, so it wasn’t overexposed, and took a few snaps. This was the best of the bunch.

Moon set. You can tell the sun is north west of it because of the sunlight light reflected on the moons surface.

Some bright stars in the sky tonight. Mercury and Venus have already set. One bright star overhead but can’t identify it. I had a quick look at what’s visible in tonight’s sky, but I think most of the other planets are rising in the morning.

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Frustrated with email

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I have my PC, it’s been upgraded to Windows 10. I have spent HOURS and HOURS trying to get my email to work on it.

It’s a good job my hairs grown. I’m ready to tear it out! I have got to get it done, and of course with covid 19 it’s hard to get hold of expertise to sort it out.

Why is it so hard? I want to sync my phone to my PC so I can simply read my email and access a website I need to use.

Look, I’m not that old, but I don’t understand windows 10, I only had it installed because I had to. I don’t want to have to learn exerything new each time I upgrade. Call me a stick in the mud, I AM!

Today’s #uskstoke, day 36.

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Day 36. Today’s challenge was to draw a reflection or mirrored image. This is a 6b pencil drawing, selfie in a spoon. It’s been a while since I drew hands, I think I may have made the thumb too big. Interesting how my head appears upside down, because the inner surface of the spoon is concave. Turn it round and on the back the image is the right way up because its convex.

The image on the back of your eye is upside down. The only reason why you see things the right way up is because your brain compensates for it!

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70’s toys

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Clackers.. Two balls on a string you waved up and down, with a little ring in the middle. They were meant to bounce off each other top and bottom. Many a broken finger….

Made of hard plastic, some luminous green, other colours too. I remember them being quite heavy. The cord holding them together was made of nylon. The string was tied round the ring at the halfway point. You moved your arm up and down fast, the balls would be sent flying and bounce at the top and bottom of their arc, making the characteristic ‘clacking’ noise. Hence the name.

As with other toys from the 70’s I doubt they would have been approved by health and safety now!