Phoenix for Illustration Friday

Two versions of phoenixes, the top one is done in oil pastels, the bottom with dry pastels.

Researching the story of the phoenix, I discovered that it is based in Egyptian mythology, on a bird the Egyptians called the benu, or purple heron. Hence the bottom image.

However, Greek mythology mentions that the bird has red and even gold feathers, as does Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's phoenix. So, I decided to draw both.

Which do you prefer? I think I prefer the red one.

Painted for Vicky

This was painted for my friend Vicky for her birthday.
Acrylics on canvas. It was also my first ever commissioned piece of work!!

Drawing practice

This is my attempt at copying a Kandinsky, dry pastels on black card.

Happy Holidays to all!

moments of peace for illustration friday

Most of my family is scattered around the globe and I don't get to see them much. I won't be spending Christmas with my parents or my brother, but I will have some of my family with me. This is them, catching some moments of peace. Paul and Caesar...merry xmas guys! And Happy Holidays to everyone out there.

Drawings as gifts

Here are a couple of drawings I made as gifts. The first is a pastel drawing based on a photo of boats taken in St Ives, made for my friend Mad. To see the photo, click here.

The one below is a drawing of a Bantam Rooster that Paul's Dad sent me a photo of as a possible drawing subject. Paul's Dad keeps one, and several chickens in their large garden in Cheshire.

Help for Illustration Friday

"Help!! I'm so adorable I can't stand myself!!" says Caesar the Dancing Christmas Cat. "Will you give me an extra portion of Christmas dinner please?!?!"

Sketching at the Porthminster Beach Cafe

Having a drink at the Porthminster Beach Cafe, St Ives, watching the dogs playing on the beach, and drawing each other.

Photos from our trip can be seen here.

Some sketches from St Ives

Just back from a gorgeous, even though blustery and wet, long weekend in St Ives. Here are some sketches I made from our visit to the Tate Gallery there, situated fabulously overlooking Porthmeor Beach. These sketches are my (rushed) attempt at capturing the appreciation for three of the works I saw there that I loved most. From top to bottom: a Barbara Hepworth sculpture, a Ben Nicholson painting and a Roger Hilton drawing.
For a look at the original Hepworth sculpture, click here. For a look at the original Nicholson painting, click here. I couldn't find a link to the specific Roger Hilton I copied above, but for a link to the exhibition of his work at Tate St Ives, click here.

More drawings and photos to come soon.

the cat of peace and happiness

In his headress and robe of Peace...cos life ain't all doom and gloom.
Peace Miaows to all.

single line drawing for inspire me thursday

This one is called "she smiles, but she lies" and...















I'm calling this one insomnia, which I had pretty bad last night.

Can you tell I'm not having the best of weeks? Can't wait till it ends and the weekend begins, when we take a beautiful train ride down to Cornwall and see the ocean.

Pen & ink single line drawings. For other, better drawings, check out inspire me thursday.

Might for Illustration Friday

"If only I could figure out how to show Trixie I have a soft side", Howard thought. "Oh well, this new miracle balm for crustaceans might just help."

Jar reads "softening balm for hard shells...try a little tenderness".

Soft Balm is available from Crustacean Health Clinics everywhere, no prescription required. Contains all natural organic ingredients. No harmful side effects reported.

Pen & ink.

Stillness for Photo Friday

Three images of stillness from St Ives in Cornwall. The first, deserted sand dunes at Lelant in February. The second, the reflection of the sun on a sandbar in the ocean off Porthminster beach. The third, a shot from Barbara Hepworth's studio, kept in the same condition she'd left it since her death.

Illustration Friday: Invention

Caesar had always known that all the hard work he'd put into building his mind-powered tunafish getter-atter would be worth it in the end....

Sunday afternoon drawings

No turkey, thanks.

I was disappointed at the Illustration Friday topic this week, but as it's an American site, I guess it's only to be expected.

Being neither American nor a meat eater, I won't be participating this week. I see there are already quite a few turkeys out there. This entry however, is my favourite. Thanks Kevin! You made me smile.

Portraits

Illustration Friday: Clear

After hours of walking off paths and under the shadows of trees, we came upon a clearing in the forest floor...












And here's the watercolour version...

Illustration Friday: Is it smoke, is it flame, or just plain lame?

This old bag is smokin'!

Okay, I know it's lame, but so's the topic, whatever the heck it is. Plus, it's late and my brain is fried. Oh look, a shiny object!

Please can we have a GOOD topic next week.

Thank you.

Photo Friday: Light

Liverpool Street Station.

Wind for Illustration Friday

"Alright, who did it this time?!"
















You could say we were a rather windy family.
Pencil, ink and markers.
Original pencil drawing below.

Lotus Face Glow, more sunflower art

This is a photoshopped digital image of the seedface of a sunflower. The patterns I saw there reminded me of a lotus, a Buddhist symbol for peace, harmony, beauty.

Sunflower art

I finally got round to picking the seeds out of my giant sunflowers this week, and had some fun in the process.

Ghost for Illustration Friday

"Keeper of Souls..."
She walked with the ghosts of a thousand crows...

This was the idea that instantly popped into my head as soon as I saw the word "ghost". Not sure why exactly. I know that crows can have negative connotations for a lot of people, but I actually like them.












I'm not sure which version I prefer, the pen & ink or the colour.
What do you think?















Thank you everyone for your generous comments. I think that for this topic, I preferred the pen and ink too which is probably why I posted so many versions of it here. However, I do like the grey and red contrasts of the colour version, but not so much for this topic.

my quiet companion

When it's just him and me at home, Caesar often follows me from room to room. I often look up or turn round from what I'm doing and find him quietly breathing beside me.

Smitten for Illustration Friday

We were all smitten with my friends' new kitten.
Initial stages in pencil, then ink, below.