Saturday 27 August 2016

Shetland Island residency - all at sea!

A boat trip around the island of Bressay and on the spectacular cliffs and gannet colonies on Noss was a treat we saved until this week.


Drawing on a boat brings its own challenges, the boat is never still...


even when moored inside a cave...

a view from inside the Orkneyman's cave to the open sea beyond


but the speed of drawing brings new life to sketches of dramatic rock structures.

The giants leg, Bressay


It was wonderful to get so close to the wildlife, the gannets and bonxies put on a good show and the seals (encouraged by some generous fishermen) were entertaining.

Charlie - the enormous fisherman's favourite

More sketches on the Shetland Islands sketchbook page...

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Shetland Islands - acclimatising

The Shetland Islands are providing all weather conditions

Balmy, holiday beaches

sunny light effects



great drawing conditions


atmospheric sea mists

...and drawing in the rain
We love it all!

More sketches on the Shetland sketchbook page under the header at the top of this blog

Saturday 13 August 2016

Shetland residency - hitting the wall (in a good way!)

There's been some mixed weather, but the sketchbook is filling up, despite the Shetland Islands variable weather.

A sheltered spot on Meal beach, thank goodness for a flask of coffee

and artwork is hitting the studio wall,


This is early days, definitely 'work in progress' but good to be getting underway.
Looking forward to some more of this stunning scenery and better weather over the next few days, here's a few more of my husbands lovely photos to inspire you...






Thursday 11 August 2016

Between the weathers

In Shetland we're always 'between weathers', looking from one horizon to another lets you know what's coming. We've had some stormy stuff over the last few days

Voe of Sound, winds gusting to 55mph

So time to set up the studio


A murky view from one of the studio windows

A fed up studio dog who would rather be on the beaches!

Sunday 7 August 2016

Shetland - Testing the sketching

The scenery is very dramatic up here in the Shetland Islands, one minute gently undulating then suddenly dropping away in front of you. Its all been testing my sketching


and my vertigo



But I've found that if I concentrate on my drawing I'm not so aware of the height, as long as I don't look around too much!


The wonderful scenery deserves the extra effort, even when the weather isn't completely friendly.



See the sketches on the sketchbook page - tab on the blog heading.
Photos courtesy of my lovely husband.

Thursday 4 August 2016

A Shetland Summer Adventure

I've headed 60 degrees North for a Wasps Studios residency in Scalloway, Shetland Islands - so exciting, this has been 2 years in the planning!

The Booth overlooks Scalloway harbour
The Booth studio downstairs
Scalloway
View to Tronda from Port Arthur, Scalloway
A walk from Scalloway
Evening light - view from the Booth
A first drawing, on St Ninians Isle
There are more sketches on my Sketchbook page - The Shetland Islands 2016. Many more drawings to come!