Scribblz n' Doodlz

bicycles

2012-01-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

As part of their studies into the 19th century, Y3 went to the local museum today. Amongst all of the exhibits relating to the textile industry, there was a temporary exhibition of bicycles - from Penny Farthings to modern carbon fibre mounts and everything in between. The children sketched bikes in as much detail as possible. Back at school this afternoon they were given wooden wheels, matchsticks and wire, with which to create a sculpture! Some didn't turn out too badly though I'm not sure I'd want to ride full-sized versions!

two's company

2012-01-22T06:31:00.001-08:00

'Me 'n my girl'

13x18cm, mixed media on canvas board.

round and round

2012-01-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

As part of our studies this term we are looking at the Victorian period. In art/technology we are making moving toys. Following on from last weeks Thaumatropes, today the children made spinning tops, by quilling thin strips of card. They worked reasonably well !

me 'n our lass

2012-01-18T10:06:00.000-08:00

As it says on the header - a mixed media piece depicting a young couple.
Perfect for Valentines surely?

13x18cm, acrylics, collage & ink on canvas board.

on yer bike

2012-01-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Years ago, groups of like-minded folk used to form clubs and go off cycling of a Sunday afternoon. I remember reading in the local newspaper, notices informing members of that weekends forthcoming jaunt. Here's a little painting depicting a 'Sunday Wheeler' enjoying his day out.

13x18cm, mixed media on canvas board.

new painting

2012-01-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

Another 'Northern' painting, this time depicting the oft heard cry of, 'Room for one up top'. Result - one happy chap and a queue of disgruntled fellows behind him.

13x18cm Mixed media on canvas board.

a is for...dragon

2012-01-06T08:11:00.001-08:00

One of the teachers asked me if I could help her y2 (aged 6 & 7) children draw dragons - they are looking at China. I quickly scribbled her an image based on the letter A.
Here are some of the resulting children's pictures. I think they've turned out very well, with each child creating a unique depiction of a mythological creature! I particularly wouldn't want to get in the way of the last dragon as it whipped it's tail around!

hi ho

2012-01-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

Sums up a little of how I felt first thing- but the day brightened when the children turned up!

'Off to work we go'

13x18cm, mixed media on canvas board

new year

2012-01-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

Back to work tomorrow (actually been in today but it was a training day). So, maybe one more toast to the new year - which funnily enough (!) is almost the subject of this mixed media piece. Four chaps taking the opportunity for a swift, refreshing beverage after a hard days graft at yonder factory. Them indoors surely wouldn't begrudge their menfolk a sociable drink before coming home - would they?

13x18cm, acrylic, collage & ink on canvas board.

Listed in my Folksy shop - please feel free to pop in for a browse around.

'bots

2011-12-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

Yay, Christmas hols are upon us. Seems to have been a very long term - everyone is ready for a break.
Been playing around with the robots and matching them up to an idea from ages ago. I created some pics of older, more 'curvy' ladies - belles - and did drawings based around the letter 'B'. Didn't get anywhere with them but have resurected the idea with my 'bots. These are just some quick prelim sketches - Big Top 'bots (as in circus type stuff!);

Have gone through the dictionary and have a lot of 'B' ideas fermenting away in my head - should keep me occupied over the hols!

Have a great holiday season folks.

xmas market

2011-12-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

Visited Hameln (Hamelin, of Pied Piper fame) Christmas market with the children today - weather quite kind. Lots of the usual stalls selling edible goodies and trinkets. Came across this chap in a little side booth using an electric fretsaw to cut wooden decorations. These are usually done nowadays by computer-controlled lasers but it was nice to see it being done traditionally (albeit powered and not by hand saw).

decorations

2011-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

Made some octahedronal (?!) decorations today - bit fiddly for the children but they managed!

On the run-in to the holidays now - visiting a Christmas market tomorrow - hope the wind and rain stay away for a while.

'nother 'bot

2011-12-07T10:11:00.001-08:00

Another robot, just doing what comes naturally!

pen & crayon, A5

10,000!

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yay, just realised the blog 'hit'counter has passed the magic 10,000 mark. Been busy of late chasing paper/data, meeting parents and generally fighting the chaos that is the run up to Christmas in a primary school! Managed to scribble a few xmas robot designs in a few spare minutes - not for sale (much too late to market them), just as one-off originals to be sent as and when.

a is for ... scorpion

2011-11-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

One of the 'characters' in my class was playing with a paper scorpion today. He'd made it himself bless him. Inspired, I penned a simple 'how-to' to show him how he could also draw one, based on the ubiquitous 'A'.
Also sold another one of the 'A is for Art' booklets as well ! Probably still won't make it onto the Christmas best sellers list though. Still, I live in hope.

in progress

2011-11-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

Not posted for a week or so as it's been 'assessment' time at school. Just another ball to juggle in the run up to Christmas, along with parent meetings, data collation, xmas performance rehearsals, oh, and a bit of teaching!

These are a couple of pieces currently on my painting table. Same 13x18cm format, mixed media works.

Have just added 'Skiffle' and 'Washday Blues' to my Folksy shop. It's positively bursting at the seams! Please click on the button to the right to check it out.

p.s. I am open to commissions should anyone take a liking to the style but not necessarily the current subject matter.

paintin'

2011-11-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

"Washing day blues"

Mixed media- acrylics, collage & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

Not sure how appropriate folk think this is but it's meant to be a bit of harmless fun.

skiffle

2011-11-14T08:45:00.001-08:00

A painting of a 50s skiffle group - 4-string banjo, tea-chest bass and washboard. The thimbles on the washboard players' fingers and the banjo skin surround are done in silver acrylic , hence the brightness. Makes a change from a sporting picture. Might need to take a better photo before I put it into my Folksy shop though.

Mixed Media - acrylics, collage & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

in process

2011-11-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

Can you tell what it is yet ?

recent sketches

2011-11-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

Some recent sketches and layouts.

'Designed' to fit 13x18cm canvas boards. I'm favouring this size at the moment as the final pieces end up a convenient size for postage and, as I offer free world-wide postage in my Folksy and Etsy shops, it seemed a good idea. And really, I just like working at this size although it makes for some tight compositions!

Bought some more boards today, so watch this space!

shop filling up

2011-11-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

Just added 'Goalmouth Tussle' to my Folksy shop - use the link on the right to see all (!) the pieces currently in stock.
Some 'non-sporting' ones on my painting table at the moment - please check back soon to see when they get listed.

chasing shadows

2011-11-09T09:37:00.001-08:00

Been creating shadow(ish) puppets today. We kept it simple - one moving part only. Unfortunately no black card so not the full, silhouette effect. We used an old frame, G-clamped to the table edge, with the back removed and tracing paper taped over the glass. It still had the 'wow' factor with the children though.

new painting

2011-11-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

"Goalmouth Tussle"

Mixed media, 20x20cm on canvas board.

paintings listed!

2011-11-05T14:08:00.001-07:00

I've just uploaded 4 of my recent pieces to my Folksy shop and have also managed to add a logo link on the right side of the page should you wish to take a look. As befits a re-stocking of the shop - virtual nibbles, and wine for those not driving!

mending ukelele's!

2011-11-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

In our school we are lucky enough to have class sets of 'real' instruments so that each KS2 child has the opportunity to play a clarinet, cornet, djembe drum, violin, guitar, recorder or ukelele! My Y3 class (7/8 yr olds) are currently sampling the delights of the latter. Unfortunately they aren't the most robust of things and a couple have necks that have parted company with the bodies. A quick glue and screw has hopefully seen them brought back into service.

Thought a quick recent sketch of a banjo player might be an apt accompaniment to this post! (It's a very near cousin!). Pencil & ink in pocket moleskine.

'nother one

2011-11-02T13:10:00.001-07:00

Not a film based one this time but simply a straightforward sporting painting.

"Lineout Tussle"

Mixed Media - collage, acrylic & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

I'm thinking of listing these at £20. I was toying with the idea of (whimsically) basing my pricing on the length + width. So this one would have been 13 + 18 = 31, rounded down to £30 - but I thought this was a bit too steep. Would welcome any thoughts on this.

yet another film!

2011-11-01T10:21:00.001-07:00

'Blues Bruthers' !!

Acrylic & ink on 13x18cm canvas board.

another 'northern' film

2011-10-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Northernised!!

Pencil & pen sketch in my pocket Moleskine

The 'ugly' is supposed to represent someone gurnying (not sure that's the correct spelling). Am just putting the finishing touches to several paintings - hopefully will be listing them on Folksy later in the week.

little red riding hood

2011-10-25T00:46:00.000-07:00

Have just listed copies of my unique, innovative book in my Etsy shop. Decided to get it out there before someone else comes up with a similar idea and am tired of waiting for a very slow response from the real publishing world. No wonder book publishers are being left behind and struggling to combat electronic alternatives- they are still working to an incredibly slow model that was fine a few years ago but doesn't even go near the mustard these days, let alone cut it!

I feel better for that! Please tell your friends to snap up a copy in time for Christmas - it will be the best stocking filler at pocket money prices that they will buy this year!! It's a story book, colouring book and a find the 'hidden' mouse book all rolled into one!!!

todays sketches

2011-10-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

Half term - should be marking/planning (hang on, something wrong there!) but instead did some sketches in my moleskine.

jazz combo

2011-10-23T01:45:00.000-07:00

A sketch of a jazz trio.

Pencil crayon and pen.

A is for...Halloween

2011-10-22T03:29:00.000-07:00

Have just listed in my Etsy shop an easy 'How to draw' guide to create Halloween images. It's an electronic/e-mailed listing 'cos of the time frame, what with it being Halloween in a few days!

Keep an eye out for the upcoming listing of the most innovative, unique picture book ever!

rugby again

2011-10-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Spot the differences between this pic and the previous one (no prizes!).

more rugby

2011-10-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Another sketch - monochrome this time. As well as the current Rugby World Cup I seem to have the old B&W film, 'This Sporting Life', in my head. At least I think that's what it was called. Seem to remember Richard Harris being in it.

Pencil & ink in pocket moleskine.

rugby

2011-10-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Another, 'see how it looks' sketch. This time in honour of the upcoming battle between the French and the All Blacks. Hopefully this time the match won't be affected by a dubious refereeing decision.

Am liking the hands on this one - think I've found a way that works for this style. Pencil crayon & ink in pocket moleskine.

jazz

2011-10-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

A quick doodle/try-out in my pocket moleskine to see if I could 'do' a figure that had slightly more about it than just being a head and shoulders. Pencil crayon & ink.

pop-up

2011-10-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Found out an 'old' pop-up of a sailing ship I made a few years ago. A colleague is doing 'Explorers' so I thought she might be able to use the idea. The children could use it as part of a 'log' or journal perhaps. Made using simple box-fold mechanisms with card, paper and wooden dowel additions.

more paintings

2011-10-09T08:27:00.001-07:00

Managed to find time to 'do' another couple of pics.

'Off t' Match' -blue version.

& 'Wun flew o'er t'pigeon loft'

Both mixed media on canvas board, 20x20cm.

This last one has got me thinking about 'Northernising' other film titles. Am open to suggestions! Not sure whether to put these in my Etsy shop - I've noticed it's a little bare! Though not quite sure how well 'Northern' pics would appeal to a world-wide audience. I could always list them in my Folksy shop - which is also lacking in stock! Not sure on pricing - would obviously like them to go to good homes but then again I don't want to give them away. Any guidance would be gratefully received.

off t'match

2011-10-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

Finished the painting yesterday but ran out of decent light to take a pic. Quite pleased with the end result.

mixed media on canvas board (20 x 20cm)

recent doings

2011-10-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

More card model try outs - seem to have got a bit of a thing for these at the moment;

All constructed from the same basic template.

And on my 'painting table' (ooh, sounds grand when you say it like that) - 'Off t'match' ;

picasso

2011-10-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Just been to a Picasso exhibition - early 20th century stuff. A very good overview of his work at the time and the influences he had. Charts his work just before he turned to his more recognisable 'style'.

Sort of ties in nicely with the 'cubist' figures I've been making of late.

cowboy

2011-09-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Managed to try out a cowboy version of the model figure. Quite pleased with how he's turned out.

doodles, elephants & vikings

2011-09-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

A couple of recent sketches. The robot conker one was for a lad in my class - he brought me a conker in (!) so I gave him this pic as a thankyou. Well, the 'bot is playing with a sort of nut, so I'm sure it's within international conkering rules!

It's appliqued & embroidered elephant time again for our Indian topic. We made simple patterns from 3x3 grids.

A colleague is 'doing' Vikings. Did a figure based on the simple 'robot' model that I made ages ago. The blob of glue on the front is 'cos I was rushing it!

Got me to thinking that the basic template could be utilised for a whole host of figures/characters with very little effort.

indian doodle

2011-09-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

We're looking at India in y3 and so I did a doodle in my pocket moleskine. We've looked at Indian elephants for art so I thought I'd do a procession - colours a bit washed out 'cos I had to take it with flash the on. Can you spot the 'A is for elephant' ?

card racers

2011-09-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Had a few moments to play around with some pieces of card and create a simple racing car model. Here's a picture of prototype 1 and 2. Found out that you can 'blow' them along, so you could actually 'race' them using straws (a la blow footy) should you so wish!

elaborated sketch

2011-09-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

Managed to add a few more ideas to the previous sketch.

recent doodlz

2011-09-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

A couple of sketches. I'm thinking of painting up the top one (sometime!), though might add a couple of footy scarves. The bottom one was for a 'reluctant learner' in my class - it's from a book idea I had a couple of years ago where a boy, on a rainy day, decides to make things out of a cardbaord box. I was going to have double page spreads with the 'actual' pic on the right (the boy and his box) and what he's imagining on the left hand page. Haven't got round to doing the full thing yet needless to say!

car booty

2011-09-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

Been to a car boot and bagged a book for 2 euros. My daughter has just gone off to UK to study art/textiles and I thought she might like it. I do anyway - an early 60s reprint of a 1952 volume with some wonderful colour plates and line drawings.

back!

2011-08-31T02:19:00.000-07:00

Back from grouting in floor tiles, painting internal walls, pointing stone walls and putting shutters on. Also managed to make a large table base (2m x 1m) from a set of bunkbeds that were otherwise destined for dumping or burning. I worked out that the middle section was exactly the right size. Quite proud of how it came out - just need to find a top for it now!

Back to school on Monday - gradually psyching and gearing myself up for it.

summer school

2011-07-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

For the last 6 years I've helped run a summer school for gifted & talented youngsters in Art & Drama. This year the theme centred around Shakespeare. The children produced some fantastic pieces, that unfortunately I can't show you because we have hush, hush plans for them!

Here's a diptych I quickly painted using acrylics and inks. I tried to be all arty farty with different sized images. Can you guess the characters (no prizes )?

Now off on summer hols down to deepest, darkest rural France.

Have a great summer everyone.

a is for...

2011-07-21T07:56:00.001-07:00

In between tidying and sorting the classroom at the end of the school year, managed to doodle a few 'new' images, all based around the letter 'A'.

Am contemplating another 'A is for...' booklet - might do a mixed one like the first (a few copies still available! - please see my Etsy shop) or do a specific 'A is for...Animals'. Would appreciate any thoughts on this.

clay animals

2011-07-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today we managed to paint up some clay pieces made a while ago.

I love the drop of 'blood' on the bottom lip of this snake!

sketches

2011-07-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Recent sketches done in between compiling end of year data and writing reports.

This one was inspired by an Otto Dix sketch I saw recently somewhere.

auction pt3

2011-07-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

The celeb auction finished today - we raised 450 euros! The highest bid was for a signed sketch by Stirling Moss & his son. The whole exhibition was highly praised - lots of quality pieces. Will leave it up for a couple of days as we are being 'inspected'!

auction pt2

2011-07-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

No names to choose from on this one - any ideas?!

artwork auction

2011-07-02T11:04:00.001-07:00

Snapped a few of the celeb artworks that are in the auction that runs alongside the art exhibition this week. These are by Jacqueline Wilson, Bob Hoskins,Frankie Dettori, Korky Paul and Jan Pienkowski - can you guess who created which one? (No prizes!).

art week 2

2011-07-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

More pics from our Big Arts Week - bits of the exhibition we're holding this next week.

This is an image that was split and then colured separately before being pieced together again.

I decided to display it in isolation on one large wall - not sure whether it works though.

On Friday my class looked at the work of Escher. We created tessellations in his style;

One of the younger classes experimented with 'Jackson Pollack';

Another Pollack inspired piece;

But done a very large scale - it fills a wall! I'm half expecting to walk in on Monday and find it on the floor as it was a bit of a devil to put up. They did well to dodge the rain on Friday to create this piece. Great fun was seen to be had squirting paint straight from the bottle, rolling wheels covered in paint and generally dripping and splodging. This pic was taken from my classroom window ;

art week 1

2011-06-29T09:45:00.001-07:00

Been trying to do lots of art this week - in between all the other frantic end of year stuff. The overall theme for the week is 'Line, shape & pattern' which hopefully gives all the staff quite a loose rein to cover a very wide range of stuff.
My class started off by looking at Picasso's use of line, in that he conveys and represents a recognisable image using the minimum of marks, often in the form of a continous line. Here's one of the children's pics;

Today we looked at Paul Klee and his mix of line and shape.We used watercolours to paint images in his style - these are looking very promising;

The idea is to, next week, hold a week-long exhibition of pieces created by the whole school. We're going for quality rather than trying to display every single piece by every single child. Hopefully serves as a bit of an incentive/pride thing.

Alongside the exhibition we are also holding a 'running auction' of celebrity 'artworks'. Several months ago I 'invited' over 100 celebs, film stars, sports & TV personalities to send in artwork based around the letter 'H'. Why the letter 'H' ? Because the proceeds from the auction will go to the charity 'Help for Heroes'. I've managed to get 20 pieces from: Korky Paul, Jan Pienkowski, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Bob Hoskins, Bernard Cribbins, Frankie Dettori to name just a few. Some are real works of art, some are doodles, but all are unique! Hopefully they should raise a bob or two. Might post some images up later in the week. If I was a bit more technically minded perhaps I could have listed them online at the same time thereby inviting internet bids. Never mind, maybe next time.

Phew- back to report writing!

up and down

2011-06-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

Have just got back after a week away with children from my school. We visited the Harz mountain area here in Germany. 5 days of going up and down hills, in and out of museums, over summer toboggan slides and under the ground in caves! A very good and tiring time was had by all. Managed to scribble & doodle a few sketches at the end of each day whilst the children wrote up their experiences in daily journals. Back to reality and 'proper' school tomorrow - though we have got a week of art activities pencilled in - hooray!

a is for...

2011-06-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

In celebration of another sale of my unique, how to draw booklet - 'A is for Art' - a recent page of sketches from my pocket moleskine - A is for...pigeon!

half term hol

2011-06-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Just spent the last few days at our 'chateau' finishing off the tiling. Didn't have time for the grouting - will save that pleasure for the summer hols! Made a nice therapeutic change from filling in tick sheets and marking.

the last of the clay

2011-05-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

Today we looked at Giacometti for inspiration and, using a pipe cleaner armature, tried to create small figures in a similar style by pressing on clay. Not sure they'll survive the drying process but they looked good when freshly made!

A page from my sketchbook - being a Northern lad I penned a couple of pigeon fanciers;

even more clay!

2011-05-20T11:22:00.000-07:00

Seem to be on a sculpting binge lately - must be something to do with the tactile nature of clay. We started with a simple thumb pot (pinch pot) and went from there.

frogs painted

2011-05-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

After looking at images on the internet, we painted our clay frog 'sculptures' today. Glad to say that only a few pieces broke off during the drying process.

new painting

2011-05-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Just painted up a pic as a thankyou gift for someone who helped get a sticky problem sorted. Had to take it with flash, daylight gone.

Hope she likes it.

Acrylics, ink & collage on canvas board.

20 x 20 cm

ribbitt ribbitt

2011-05-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

Another frog - I love the expression on this one - I wonder what he's looking at!

frogs

2011-05-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Following on from our 'life circle' sketches we ventured into 3D. We had a go at making frogs from simple balls and sausages of air-hardening clay. I think they've turned out quite well. I only hope they don't crack up when they dry out. We'll paint them next week (or not).

life circles

2011-05-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

In science we are currently 'doing' life cycles. In art therefore I showed the children how easy it was to create recognisable images from circles (life 'circles'). I demonstrated how they could use the same basic template to create pictures of a wide variety of animals - see my 'here's one I did earlier' pics for the polar bear, dog, lion and elephant. I also showed them that the lion could, by the judicious use of spots, stripes etc., become virtually any big cat.

Have put together a very rough dummy copy of my 4-way story book and have decided to send it off to agents/publishers to gauge the response - wish me luck.

little red riding hood

2011-04-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

Have just finished drawing and inking in all the picture roughs for my 'innovative, unique' version of Little Red Riding Hood. The story is told concurrently in 4 parts and can be 'read' in a variety of ways by more than one person at a time! Was thinking about trying to get a publisher/agent but am equally drawn to self-publishing it. Shall have to have a think about it.

free painting

2011-04-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Had some 'spare' time after finishing our Warholesque self-portraits so we did some 'free' painting. I love the way the children painted beyond their lines and weren't at all bothered about colours flowing and mixing.

portraits & bookmarks

2011-03-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

Got around to painting our self-portraits (after Warhol) today. Used watercolours. Enterprise club also finished off the felt bookmarks.

Am also feeling a little bit of a 'victim of my own success'! I was told by a publisher today reference my book - 'A is for Art'- that 'you seem to be having success self publishing...why do you feel you need a publisher..?'!! Yes 50+ copies is great but I was hoping that it would show that the idea has fantastic potential given the right backing and promotion.

a la warhol

2011-03-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Further forays into pop art - this time trying to emulate the repeat portraits of Andy Warhol.

Drawing over photos through carbon paper has given us the images. Next, we'll be painting them.

first folksy sale!

2011-03-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

As it says - 'A is for Art' is still selling- well over 50 copies now!

Must get my act together and try agents/publishers again.

felt flowers

2011-03-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Been stitching and sewing again today - continuing with our secret (!) mothers day gifts.

They look quite good en masse (hastily thrown into an old pot).

folksy shop opened!

2011-03-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

The scribblzndoodlz empire expands! I've opened up a shop on folksy;

http://folksy.com/shops/scribblzndoodlz

Same sort of stuff - just an alternative outlet for those who prefer to spend in good old pounds and pence!

Am still working out how to get a 'folksy' badge to pop-up on the sidebar - any help gratefully received.

robot cards

2011-03-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

Have just listed some cards in my Etsy shop. Each one is hand-drawn (not printed) and bears a line illustration of a 'bot with spot colouring. They are supplied complete with envelopes in random packs of 3 (though you can stipulate whether you would prefer boy or girl 'bots). A bargain - 3 original pieces of art for little more than a coffee and sandwich!

felt stuff!

2011-03-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

This week has seen members of the Enterprise club begin making felt bookmarks - we're on a roll after selling all of our phone charms within 2 days!

In yr5 we have started to create 'artificial' flowers ready for mothers day gifts. The children found them a bit difficult but they persevered and hopefully a bunch of them should hide any faults!

We plan to wrap the 'stalks' with wool/string/thread.

new painting

2011-02-26T07:14:00.000-08:00

Found a canvas board - did a quick painting and managed to remember to take some step by step pics. Acrylic & ink, 20cm by 20cm.

huge canvas!

2011-02-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Just painted up a very large (bearing in mind I usually don't work any bigger than A4), 80cm by 60cm piece. Had a slightly damaged canvas that I just had a whim to see if I could successfully paint up. Wish I had taken some 'in progress' pics. Would welcome any comments.

Acrylic & ink on a gallery wrapped 80 by 60cm canvas

baking

2011-02-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

We've been 'doing' instructional texts (!) in Literacy this week which gave us an excellent excuse to do some baking. Groups followed a simple cup cake recipe to create batches of buns. The results were very varied but edible! They thoroughly enjoyed the experience though I'm not sure we have any budding chefs in our midst.

moving toys 2

2011-02-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

As you know, the children have been making moving toys. Today they returned with their marvellous, magnificent, magical machines! Pull 'em back and let 'em go!

sketch

2011-02-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

In my sketchbook ;

ink & crayon, moleskine pocket book,

pull-back toy

2011-02-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Made simple, but very effective moving toys yesterday. You pull 'em back and they 'zoom' forwards! The children really enjoyed the fact that they could make such an effective toy out of a few bits and pieces. They have been set a challenge to improve them and make them look like something other than card!

wearable art

2011-01-29T01:41:00.000-08:00

Have just listed the three small, hand-painted brooches in my Etsy shop. Please feel free to click on the sidebar link and have a browse around.

valentines cards

2011-01-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

Members of our Enterprise club have been busy making valentines cards.

We're going to print 'Happy Valentines' on them next time.

more paintings

2011-01-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

Found some more time (!) to paint up a few pics. The small canvases are actually brooches!! They have fixings bonded to the back. Thoughts? Wondering if I should put them in my shop??

mixed media on canvas, 8" by 8"

mixed media on canvas, 2" by 2"

Again, light has gone, hence the shine from the flash.

thaumatropes

2011-01-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

Following on from the spinning tops we made some more rotating toys - thaumatropes ('turning wonders'). These are my 'here's one I did earlier' attempts. The children came up with some really imaginative ones that I tried to capture, but the shutter speed on my old digital just wasn't up to the task!

weekend paintings

2011-01-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

Managed to find a bit of time (and the inspiration!) to put some paint onto canvas.

Collage and acrylics on canvas board.

Light not good, had to use flash, hence the shine.

girlz

2011-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

A collaged 'quickie' pic just to try out a process to see if it would work.

Pocket moleskine, pens & paper.

spinning tops

2011-01-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Continuing our moving toys project, we had a go at making some simple spinning tops. We could have used a pre-drilled MDF 'wheel' and just stuck a short length of dowel through but we went for a 'quilled' process instead. Most seemed to work quite well.

poseable jake

2011-01-07T07:42:00.001-08:00

Have been playing around with improvements to the 'jake' figures. Joints made with elastic cord secured by buttons allows for a fantastic range of holdable poses as can be seen from the pics. Please note that this figure was one I put together out of spare pieces just to try out the concept. He stands around 10cm (4") when stood up straight!

I Would really welcome any comments.

moving toys

2011-01-05T09:24:00.000-08:00

Today we designed and made some simple moving toys that rocked.

Paper and card, standing about 10cm tall.

happy new year

2011-01-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Back from hols. Just re-opened the shop and had a customer already! Hopefully a good omen for the year ahead. My daughter didn't like the previous sketch - no arms! So over the hols managed a brief alternative scribble, with arms - daughter 'designed' the dresses.

Back to work tomorrow!! Was hoping to find time to paint up some pics. Shall make time!

Here's to a great year - cheers!

doodlin' around

2010-12-17T07:09:00.001-08:00

Probably the last upload this year - off on hols.

Pencil, pen & ink.

Have a great Christmas!

a is for...reindeer

2010-12-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

Just trying out a new printer/scanner. The old one gave up.

xmas fayre

2010-12-10T06:58:00.001-08:00

Xmas fayre at school today. The Enterprise club had a stall selling all the goodies that we've been making this term - earrings, bracelets, phone charms, necklaces, tree decorations, spinning tops, cards, wrapping paper. Everything sold!

And to round the day off, waiting in my post tray was a pack of goodies from Lisa Stubbs at http://lilsonnysky.blogspot.com/ . Wonderful. Thankyou Lisa.

christmas stars

2010-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

We should be enjoying the run-up to Chrimble but seem to be chasing paper and filling in too many forms and tick sheets -aarrgh!

Some old sketches based around stars

sketches

2010-11-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

We are fortunate in our school to have a music programme where every child has the opportunity to play an instrument. My class are currently playing cornets. Today in art we had a go at sketching them.

I was really pleased at how well most of them turned out - after only a very brief snippet of instruction of how to represent something behind something else.

ideal stocking filler

2010-11-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

'A is for Art' booklet back in stock in time for Chrimble! An ideal stocking filler for young or old at an incredible price!
Am just wondering why this book sells exceptionally well whilst other stuff in the shop seems to languish. Any thoughts welcome.

owls

2010-11-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

A parliament of owls.