Sketching the white stuff

Can't remember last time I spent time sketching the white stuff. The walk to work by the Thames River. No plein air this time of year. Snapped some photos while walking to work and did some quick sketches.

More Figure Drawing

Added india ink using calligraphy pen to a couple simple line drawings from last Monday night. Working on some colour ones, but not liking the results yet.

Figure Drawing

The model last monday night at The ARTS Project was very graceful and elegant. All poses were great. It seemed really easy to draw the movement and rhythm using flowing calligrahy lines. Some of the pencil drawings from my sketch book below. I have added India ink to some of the sketches I did on stonehenge paper and watercolour paper... still working on adding the colour and making them a more finished drawing.

Mabel

When I am in the mood to sketch, sometimes the only available models are my dogs. This is Mabel curled up on the couch. These were the last couple of sketches I did of Mabel, earlier this month. She was a great dog!

Pencil sketch of Mabel.

Watercolour portrait of Mabel, completed back in 2002.

Remembrance Day

Thursday morning I went to Victorica Park for the Remembrance Day Ceremony. I went a little early so I could do some sketching, after all it has been a wonderful week of weather. Thousands of people turned out for the ceremony, great to see. Attached is quick sketch of The Boer War Memorial. A little history... The Boer War Memorial, George Hill, sculptor was unveiled in 1912 and the Cenotaph was erected in 1934. The World War Two Sherman Tank, “Holy Roller” was dedicated in 1950 to the First Hussars.

Figure Drawing

Last monday nights model at The ARTS Project was great. Gestures full of movement, held the longer poses incredibly well. First drawing, short pose - 3 minutes from the session.

This was started on Monday night then I added pen lines later. I like how easily pen and ink can create thick and thin lines and how stonehenge paper allows such smooth smudging.

Night Cap Gallery

My original drawings of historical architecture of North Middlesex are now available at Night Cap Gallery in Parkhill. Included are streetscapes, churches, old barns and of course the Parkhill Public Library. The present library building was erected in 1914 and opened July 28, 1915, on land donated by the Town of Parkhill. It was financed by a Carnegie grant, and is currently the only Carnegie library still open as a branch in the Middlesex County library system.

Parhill Public Libray (Ink and Graphite)

Figure Drawing

Monday night at TAP, great model. Two of the sketches from my sketch book, using pencil and ink pen.

Untitled Male No.3

Just sold this drawing, that was completed a couple of years. Stylized and simplified figure drawn with smooth flowing caligraphic lines.

I went to figure drawing at The ARTS Project last night. I found the models poses quite boring. The lines and the graceful form I seen with this model, I didn't see at all. Used last nights session, strictly as practise, not worth posting anything I did, thats for sure.

Figure Drawing

Last monday nights model at the ARTS Project was great! Energetic, creative poses. This is one of the many, many gestures. The gesture drawing is in india ink on matt board, prepainted with acrylic paint, ramdom and abstract, nice warm colours. I like the textured surface of the this matt board. I think the drawing, needs more drawing, just not sure what I will add ... The pink makes me think of the CIBC Run for a Cure, which I will be running in next Sunday.

Figure Drawing

Attended a figure drawing session at The Arts Project for the first time in months. Great model on monday night. The sessions have changed slightly with new person looking after the timing. Many,many short gesture poses starting at 30 sec, 1 min, etc, which I really like. Attached is a couple of the sketches in the 3 to 5 minute range. Hopefully get there again next monday night.

Country Club Golf

2 days in a row off work, means 2 days in a row of golf. The Country Club on Sunday and Heron Point on holiday Monday.

The Country Club, a traditional old course, is set in the rolling hills of the Humber River Valley in Woodbridge. There are two 18-hole courses were created by the distinguished designer Howard Watson and fine-tuned by renowned architect Arthur Hills. We played the East Course, which undulates along the valley's edge, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hills and Toronto to the south. Two of the four sketches I did while playing at The Country Club.

Hole number 1, completed while waiting to tee off.

Hole #6, started while waiting for group in front of us, and finished as we played the hole.

JMR Gallery

This morning, I dropped off 9 of my original drawings at JMR Gallery (Home of the Ontario Artist). The gallery is located in Bayfield Ontario, a beautiful and historic little town on the shores of Lake Huron. My work will be there from now to December 20. Drawings include male and female figurative art and golf art. I will be taking some architectural and some more golf images in mid September. If you are in the area, check it out.

Blue Springs Golf Course

Sunday golf at Blue Springs Golf Course. A wee bit about Blue Springs ... a picturesque and exciting layout, changes in elevation, tall trees, wondrous views and rolling countryside combine for a challenging but fair course that also serves as the headquarters of the Canadian Professional Golfers' Association. Here are 2 of the 5 sketches I did while playing. First sketch, hole no 5, made par with a very long putt and then tap in and hole no 15, made par from under a tree on the left side of the fairway. We were a twosome in amongst foursomes, so was a bit of waiting. I always enjoy this course!

Art Gallery of Windsor

No golf on Sunday, just resting a sore arm, so off to Windsor. I had never spent time at the pictureque waterfront in Windsor. This southern most city in Canada boasts 3,000 acres of green space, 180 parks, 40 miles of trails. The Art Gallery of Windsor located on the waterfront in Windsor, has amazing views of greenspace in front of the (very clean looking) Detroit river and the Detroit Skyline across the river. Was able to spend a little bit of time sketching before we came home.

Detroit Skyline Sketch

While at the Gallery, viewed "Masterworks Southwest" a juried, traveling exhibition of contemporary southwestern Ontario craft and "Uumajut: Symbols of Spiritual Power" an exhibition pulled from the AGW's extensive historical archives of Inuit works and highlights those pieces concerned with the notion of the "living spirit". I also looked at Art Rental & Sales Gallery, which has works displayed thoughout the Gallery. Very inpressed with the gallery, the exhibitions and the space.

Friday Night Golf

Played nine holes of golf on friday night. I started double bogey, bogey, then I did this quick sketch on hole number three. A change of pace, getting my mind focused on being there "at the golf course" ... not thinking about work, what I should be doing at home, etc. made all the difference to my game. I then made par on the next 5 holes, then a bogey and ended with a par, for a 39. Very happy with that nine holes.

County Jamboree

Sunday, I will be at the Biggest Country Music Event of the 2010 Summer, the 2nd Annual Boot Hill "Country" Jamboree in Bothwell Ontario. The weekend of festivities started on Thursday with karoko and a Jam Session with Guest Jamie Warren. Friday evening included Marie Brottrell with Aaron Solmon (Memories of Hank & Patsy), Jamie Warren and Little Texas. Today the line up of entertainment includes Jessie Farrell, Mustang Sally and the big attraction George Canyon. Sunday's entertainment includes Desert Heat, Deric Ruttan and Larry Gatlin & Gatlin Bros.

North Middlesex History

Over the past few months, I have been doing some drawings of historical architecture of North Middlesex county. I will have a booth at their celebrations this weekend, Friday night and Saturday morning at the North Middlesex Community Centre in Parkhill. Included will be streetscapes, churches and beautiful old barns. This is my favourite "Parkhill Streetscape No. 3" an ink drawing measuring 4" x 9", double matted to 9" x 14" in size.

Golf in the Muskokas

Holidays last week. Rented a cottage on Six Mile Lake. Spent the week drawing, golfing and sitting on the dock. It was great! Played Rocky Crest Golf Club, twice ... my favourite clublink course. A "walkable" course that still has all the beauty of the Muskokas. Played my best round of the season there on Monday, shot an 81. Followed that up with a 95 on Wednesday.

Played Grandview Golf Club for the first time. I played from the red tees, which is normal for me and found some of the holes rather short. I usually can't reach a par four in one, let alone be over the green in one. Having said that, it was one of my better drives! Grandview is descibed ... "Two-time major champion Mark O'Meara knows a thing or two about golf courses and that insight is obvious to anyone fortunate enough to play the Mark O'Meara Course at Grandview. Winding its way through the granite, forest and wetlands of the incomparable Muskoka region, Grandview is a delight to play." It did pour rain for a couple of holes, which was fine because it was a very hot day.

Also played The Lake Joseph Club. "Architect Thomas McBroom utilized the granite crags, towering trees and heaving topography of the incomparable Muskoka vacation region north of Toronto with such success that the course was named the best new course in the country by Golf Digest." We took a cart that day, so it was easy to do some sketching while playing.

Last sketch was practice greeen at Greenhills after ladies night on tuesday.

Sketches by the River

Went sketching by the Thames River, by Blackfriars Bridge last evening with my friend Kym. With thunderstorms looming in the distance, I was convinced we would get rained on... but we were lucky and didn't get wet.

We were sitting out in the middle of the river on a rocky patch with our chairs. Before we knew it, the water started to raise and we were soon surrounded by water, came up at least 4 inches in less than an hour. There was abviously heavy rain to the north of the city! This first one shown here was not complete when we had to move.

We moved up to the top of the break wall, facing downtown and did some more sketching. It was a lovely evening to be sitting outside drawing.

Phillie with Colour

There is a small street close to The Clay Studio called Elfreth's Alley. I felt like it was 2007 and I was back in France. "While a modern city has sprung up around it, the Alley preserves three centuries of evolution through its old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details. Butchers. Bakers. Candlestick-makers. Named for blacksmith and property-owner Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth’s Alley was home to the 18th century artisans and trades-people who were the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. " This ink drawing with some added colour, is from photo reference. The order of homes is not exact, but it gives the feel of the street as I seen it.

This drawing is for sale on RadfordArt on Etsy.
Cost is $65.00 Canadian plus shipping.

Philadelphia Streetscape No. 2

Philadelphia

I had the opportunity to visit to Philadelphia this week with some members of the London Potters Guild. 2 days is not enough time ... Philadelphia is a historic, cultural, beautiful city. I had never thought of Philadelphia as a city I must visit, but it is city well worth visiting.

We visited The Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Interesting and informative, a vision for the future of the London Clay Art Centre.... the whole purpose of the trip. Tuesday morning, we visited Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Isaiah Zagar is an award-winning mosaic mural artist whose work can be found on over 100 public walls throughout the city of Philadelphia and around the world. We did allot of walking, so I had time to figure out what and where I wanted to draw. Tuesday afternoon I had time to do just that... sit and draw. I choose the historic neighbourhood by the hotel we stayed at, Spruce and 12 street. I did some quick sketches in my sketch book and then completed this drawing on location. I wish I had more time there.

Greystone Golf Club Sketches

Sketched 3 holes during the round of golf at Greystone Golf Club. This it hole no.1 and hole no.6. We road in a cart, which I usually don't like, but I really wanted to take my larger sketch book. It too big and too heavy for carrying, besides with a cart, I had a place to sit. It was busy and we did have to wait.

Golf Day

Sunday Morning, Greenhills looked like this, thanks to Dingman Creek and the overnight rain. Hole number one ladies tee box in is to the left of the big trees. The other photo shows number ten tees in front of the submerged bench.



We managed to get a tee off at Greystone Golf Club... This describes it perfectly "Perched on the magnificent Niagara Escarpment, the unique setting creates captivating optical illusions on many of the putting surfaces. " I did a couple of drawings while golfing, to be uploaded soon.

Too Much Architecture

Too much drawing architectural structures lately. Straight, perfect, man made rigid structures... I needed to draw something more organic and nature inspired. Yes, golf courses are man made, but it is still nature. The natural, rough elements are masterfully combined with the graceful curves of the fairways and greens. This is Blue Springs hole no. 2 looking back up the hill, at the ladies tee box. Situated on the Niagara escarpment, there is great changes in elevation, making walking the course a workout!

Westhaven Golf

Played at Westhaven Golf and Country Club on holiday monday. Arrived a littel early... normal golfers go to the driving rnage to hit balls, and then to the practice green to putt. But for me , its a great time to sketch. The 18th, a beautiful finishing hole is a dog leg left, with a pond to the right and in front of the green, it finishes up at the back of the club house.

Had some more time, so did a quick sketch of no. 4 which comes back up to the clubhouse on the other side. Didn't quite finish as it was time to start. Finished with an 88, which I was happy with. Took some more pictures, so hopefully find time to do some finished drawings of this course.

Sunday Golf at Blue Springs

Blue Springs Golf Club is one of my favourite Clublink courses... great changes in elevation, tall trees, incrediable views and rolling countryside all make for a challenging round of golf. This is the first hole, drawn while waiting to tee off. We walked the course, so no time to draw after that. There are some tiresome and uphill walks between holes... was exhausted when we finished.

Worldwide SketchCrawl

Saturday May 15, 2010 is th 27th Worldwide Sketch Crawl Day. Because I work on Saturday, my sketching was limited. I stopped on my walk to work to sketch the bike path by the Thames River, west side looking south.

This is the view of Blackfriars Bridge, while walking home.

This is in Harris Park, while walking the dog.

Brinsley Methodist Church

I am currently working on a series of drawings of historical buildings of North Middlesex County. They will be for sale at North Middlesex's 150th Anniversary Celebrations. The festivities will run throughout 2010 with the centerpiece being the 150th anniversary weekend, July 30th to Aug 2nd, 2010. I plan to do approx 16 drawings. This is one of six I have completed so far.

I have a copy of an illustrated historical atlas of Middlesex County. I plan do incorporate some of these images into my drawings. As interesting as architecture is, rather than just drawing a picture of a buiding, as I have here... I plan to create some more interesting artwork by using other elements besides the historical building.

Heron Point, Sunday

Off to golf at Heron Point on Sunday. Some people like to warm up by hitting ball, chipping, and putting. I was content to set on bench at first tee and sketch. This was a challenging clubhouse to draw, because of all the unsual angles. First few holes pace was really good, then caught up to people, so again that waiting just gives me a little time to draw. In the end played really well, 40 on front and 42 on back. One of my best games and its only April 18th.

Annual Show and Sale

Golf Season in Ontario

Golf Season in Ontario has started. Greenhills was under water due to flooding from Dingman Creek, so off to Glen Cairn we went on Sunday. The first nine was a little slow, so I got 2 sketches done. Second nine we caught up to people on the 6th hole, so one sketch on back. I have had this small sketch book (7"x 5") in my golf bag for a couple of years now. In the past I have only sketched a couple of times each season. I wonder if I can do at least one sketch each time I play this year....

North Middlesex Cards

Handmade cards... with original artwork. I am sketching and painting original little images of historic building in North Middlesex on these cards. I am really using these as practise sketches before I do a larger more detailed drawing of the buildings. Finished drawings and cards will be for sale at the North Middlesex's 150th Anniversary Celebrations. The festivities will run throughout 2010 with the centerpiece being the 150th anniversary weekend, July 30th to Aug 2nd, 2010.

Urban Sketchers

I do like to draw and sketch on location. It is a constructive way to use small amounts of time. It sharpens my observation skills and makes me more aware of my surroundings. Location work also challenges me to draw quicker and draw more from memory. A friend, Susan Garrington, suggested I check out "urban sketchers" website. Love the concept and the sketches are great!

Beautiful, but slow

Just got back from golfing in Hilton Head, SC. Great vacation. Weather could have been a wee bit warmer the first couple of days, but we managed to golf six rounds in six days. My favourite course was Crescent Pointe Golf Club. We were only able to get afternoon tee times and the problem with that was.... it was so slow!! The bright side of that was... I was able to do lots of sketching while we played. Attached is three pages of my sketch book, all completely while playing golf.