a is for ... scorpion

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.

recent sketches

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!

mending ukelele's!

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.

another 'northern' film

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.

todays sketches

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

rugby again

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

more rugby

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

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

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.

indian doodle

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' ?

sketch

In my sketchbook ;

ink & crayon, moleskine pocket book,

girlz

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

Pocket moleskine, pens & paper.

happy new year

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!

scribblz

Whilst keeping my fingers crossed for a successful outcome with my wonderful 'can't think why no-one has done it before' book idea, I managed to do a couple of quick scribbles in my pocket moleskine.

Pencil underdrawings, inked over.

a is for...fox

Inspired by the drawings of Rob Dunlavey ( http://www.drawger.com/robd/)* I had a go at drawing a fox from a letter 'A'. Pleased with how they turned out.

*nb. not sure how to insert elegant hyperlinks - sorry. Any hints gratefully received!

a is for...alligator

Some more doodlz.

A lion having a bad hair day!

a is for...porcupine

More quick doodlz.

A colleague has a child in their class who is a very reluctant writer but loves to draw (and for their age, is very able). I've suggested that they try the approach of using letters to begin drawings. In that way, the child will be writing without really thinking about it. The child could try other letters as starting points. I've suggested that they develop it by adding simple captions, speech/thought bubbles to the drawings. The child could then be encouraged to create storyboards with simple narratives.

Let's see how it goes.

recent doodles

Managed a few quick doodles in between writing reports. Blurry pic but am liking this style for its quickness at rendering a reasonably recognisable image. Wondering out loud if it might enlarge into paintings on chunky canvases -don't seem to have painted in ages come to think of it.

getting there

Reports coming together - wish I could say the same about the England footy team! Everything crossed for tomorrow.




Summer seems like it's finally arrived in our neck of the woods. Roll on the hols!!

too much!

Too much footy on TV, too many reports to write and Wimbledon starts on Monday- aaarghhh!