Category: Sketch work

I have drastically reduced the amount of sketches that I have done during 2024. Although I always take out my little sketch book kit, not the full kit that I take when painting on holiday!

The main reason for the lack of sketches is a loss of confidence or lack of enjoyment. I have found it very hard to adjust to a new looser style since I had my macular hole diagnosed. This results in loosing my middle vision, which is the part of your vision that allows you to see details. You can read more about it in my blog from January 2023 all about my eye surgery.

However I did get my paints out on three different occasions. Here are my efforts.

Seascape – looser style

On this occasion I decided to really test out painting in a looser, more abstract way.

We parked the car at The National Trust Car Park at Gunwalloe and followed the coast path to Pedngwinian Point. Arriving at Fishing Cove / Gunwalloe Beach we just sat and enjoyed the peace and quiet on this lovely beach. We walked continued our walk for a short time, returning via the coast path to revisit the beach. I decided to get my paints out and experiment with capturing the scene.

Click on the image to see it larger.

I am not sure how successful it was. Sadly I didn’t have my wax candle, which I usually like to use for shallow water. It captures the reflection of the clear water on the sand. Luckily I had my masking fluid, although I was a bit heavy handed using it! Anyway I did enjoy painting it, but perhaps it is too abstract – we shall see.

St Michael’s Mount

We haven’t had the best summer but luckily I did manage to visit Marazion on a sunny Tuesday. We were having a coffee in The Goldolphin overlooking St Michael’s Mount enjoying the view. I decided I needed to get my paints out.

The tide was just going out and people were walking over to The Mount. I was with my Aunt and Husband and they felt I needed to include Chapel Rock to give it context. Still fairly loose but I included more detail than the seascape above. I just had to be aware to get the depth of field right by reducing the vividness of The Mount. I have included a photograph of our view. However you can see my Aunt in her stripey top, reflected in the glass balastrade!

Poldhu Cove

Another rare sunny day, with the water fairly calm and beautifully clear. I had been in the sea to enjoy a swim and sat enjoying a coffee at Poldhu Cafe. The decision I always need to make when sketching Poldhu is how much to include! Especially as it has towering cliffs either side.

I decided to focus on the cliffs on the right hand side, and included the lifeguard flag and stick people in the water for context. Out of the three sketches I like this one the best. I think it will definitely make a nice card to sell.

If you are interested in buying any of these paintings they may be for sale the Watercolour Card section of my Shop. However being originals and, once they are gone, they are gone!

I have recently been on a short 10 day tour of northern Europe – Germany, Holland and Belgium. Here are my sketches from Amsterdam and Belgium starting with our first stop Cologne in Germany.

Germany sketches

Newquay Airport has increased the number of places it flies to and from during the summer so we flew from Newquay to Dusseldorf Airport with Eurowings. There is a big travel market for visitors from Germany wishing to visit Cornwall to visit the beautiful Cornish locations featured in Rosamunde Pilcher novels. It was then a short train journey from Dusseldorf to Cologne for our 2 night stay. Click on any of the images to see larger versions.

The first sketch is of the Hohenzollern Bridge, a railway bridge consisting of 3 large iron truss arches. You can see the Cathedral in the background. The second is a bar in the Heumarkt, a cobbled plaza filled with bars and coffee shops. A great place to watch to world go by. We were sat in a cafe opposite enjoying a refreshing cup of tea and cake! The last sketch was of the inside of Cologne railway station. It seems that German trains don’t run as efficiently as I thought they might! Our train to take us from Cologne to Amsterdam was well over an hour late, so to distract me from waiting I got my sketch book out to capture the 4711 advertisement that at the end.

Amsterdam sketches

We did eventually arrive in Amsterdam, our home for the next 5 days. We had a lovely studio flat in the Museum Quarter. It was very hot in Cologne and the heat didn’t disappear when we got to Amsterdam, although we experienced frequent heavy showers.

My first sketch is a very typical Amsterdam scene of a bridge over a canal, with the bicycles all lined up. I found the tall houses, bicycles and canals quite overwhelming, it was a job to decide what to paint! My second sketch was of the windmills at Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is now a heritage site with open access, and as well as seeing the windmills, it also has green wooden houses, handicraft shops and industries. It was very pretty and well worth a visit. You can visit Amsterdam Noord by a free ferry ride from the main train station. It was interesting to walk around this area as it was a contrast to the main city. The last sketch is of Paard van Marken, a lighthouse on the Dutch peninsula Marken, on the IJsselmeer. We caught the local bus to the “island” of Marken and walked out to the lighthouse. I particularly loved Marken, although it used to be an isolated island, it is now connected with the mainland by a dike. Catching the bus and visiting this island gave me a good insight into the dike system that is used in the Netherlands.

Belgium sketches

From Amsterdam we caught the train to Antwerp for a 2 night stop – well worth a visit. There is a beautiful historic centre and less touristy than Amsterdam. Although there were a few stag dos, probably attracted by the strength of the Belgium beer. From Antwerp we travelled to Bruges for another 2 night stop. Bruges, with its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings, is very pretty but also very touristy.

You can walk under the River Scheldt using a pedestrian tunnel with an authentic wooden escalators. They took me back to when I lived in London nearly 40 years ago! My first sketch is of the view across to the Antwerp city skyline. My second sketch was of the Grote Markt in Bruges. This is a very large Market Square with so much going on. I was particularly attracted to the gabled buildings, with its many cafes and restaurants below. Lastly I attempted to capture one of the many beautiful canals. I was attracted to this scene because of the reflection in the water of the buildings and large tree that overhung the water. I am not sure how successful I was though!

Back home

We came home via Brussels and Eurostar, a great way to travel. The trip was pretty full on, as we tried to see as much as we can. I haven’t done as much as painting as I used to do whilst away, as I still adjust to my eyesight difficulties, but I did enjoy it. I hope you have enjoyed looking at them.

Thanks for reading.

I have recently got back from a couple of days away, so here are my sketches from Glasgow. Click on any of the images to see larger versions.

Actually I felt a bit overwhelmed / intimidated to sketch. It wasn’t just the buildings, and there is great architecture in Scotland. It was also the murals that are scattered about the city.

Murals

These vibrant street murals are helping to rejuvenate tired streets and buildings and vacant sites with these stunning pieces of public street art. The project started in 2008 and has increased ever since. I loved them and it certainly is great to stumble upon them.

My sketches

I did do some sketching, although it is not my best work.

I visited Glasgow University where I was surprised to be able to walk freely around the buildings. I tried to capture the essence of the West Quadrangle, with its turrets, spiral staircases and quite beautiful.

I also tried to capture St George’s Tron Church of Scotland in Nelson Mandela Place. I sketched this from our Hotel room to try and reflect the church spires that rise up from the main buildings around.

Lastly, is one of the red buildings that dominate this city. Again trying to capture the beauty of these old buildings.

Eye problems

I am still waiting to have further treatment on my eyes and sketching is hard. I am trying not to sound like I am making excuses but I don’t have the right glasses. In order to view what I am hoping to sketch I need my long distance glasses, but to sketch I should wear my close vision glasses, but I can’t wear both! So I am using a very loose style wearing my long distance glasses. Sometimes it works ok, sometimes not.

The weather in Cornwall in July has not been good – but I have a few sketches to show you.

Praa Sands sketch

We visited Praa Sands in early July. It was one of the days when we knew we would be shower dodging!

We sat and enjoy a lovely cup of coffee, overlooking the beach. Out came the paints to capture the scene.

Click on the image to see the full size version.

This was lovely I was really enjoying sketching the scene, however the weather had other plans! At Praa Sands you have the most amazing view of Mounts Bay and I could see a very dark cloud approaching from the Mousehole/Newlyn area! It was time to quickly finish my coffee and painting and take cover.

St Mawes Sketches

Now this was a treasure of a day, making the most of Cornwall before the main summer season starts. The forecast was mainly sunshine so a day trip out was the order of the day. I love St Mawes, so I went with a couple of friends for a “girls day out”.

We started our day by having coffee outside enjoying the sunshine on the quay. We then walked along the promenade, luckily my friends are more than happy to sit and enjoy the view whilst I get my paints out. I couldn’t believe how warm it was, and after strolling back towards the Quay I persuaded them to stop again. I have to be honest I did struggle a bit to sketch both of these views. There are so many different shaped buildings along the waterfront, not to mention all the cars on the quayside. It was very hard to capture the scene with a quick sketch.

Again, click on the image to see the full size version.

Gunwharf Quays Sketch

Now I am definitely out of Cornwall on this one! Whilst visiting my daughter in Southampton, we decided to get the train to Portsmouth. I was last year nearly 45 years ago whilst serving in the Navy, and it has certainly changed!

Again I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer size of the wonderful vista in front of me. I decided to focus on the entrance to the harbour. Another challenge, was the amount of boats there were coming in and out of the harbour. I would like to have included one of the ferries, but I just couldn’t paint fast enough!

Again, click on the image to see the full size version.

I got some great photos of Portsmouth harbour that I would like to paint at home. It made me think perhaps I should sell paintings from other areas, as well as Cornwall. Depending on when you are reading this you might like to see what is currently for sale – there may be a painting that you like.

So limited sketches in July – lets hope the weather for August improves and I can get out and sketch more often!

Since my return from holiday in Croatia, Cornwall has been absolutely glorious! So I have been out and about swimming and here are a selection of my sketches in June.

Sketch of Godrevy beach

To set the scene … it was a sunny Sunday morning and we were down on Godrevy beach just after 9am. In fact so early the fields hadn’t been opened but we managed to get parked close to the beach.

My swim was absolutely glorious, sheer bliss. Afterwards I sat on the beach, drinking a coffee, appreciating the peace and quiet. Out came my paints and here is my sketch.

Sketch of St Michaels Mount

Another swim location – this time at Long Rock, looking towards St MIchaels Mount. Whilst it was sunny, there was a stiff breeze and cross-shore winds, that gave some great waves to capture. Luckily I found a sheltered spot to capture the scene.

Another sketch of Godrevy beach

Back to Godrevy beach – I am definitely visiting my favourite spots in this lovely weather!

This time the tide was not out as far, but still quite flat and perfect swimming conditions.

These sketches for sale as either a painting or greeting card, on this website or on my Etsy shop. I am frequently adding new products so keep an eye out, as most of my work as originals, once a particular painting as gone, it’s gone.

It is May and the weather is warming up. Yay! I have been on some lovely walks and here are some sketches I did during May.

Sketching at Carbis Bay

It was a glorious May day and we walked along the south west coast path from Lanner to Carbis Bay. The sea was a gorgeous colour and I don’t think my photos or sketch capture the beauty. It was just like being in the Caribbean – only easier to get to!

I looked across to Godrevy, this time a different angle from that I normally see and paint.

It was bliss and I feel so lucky to be able to enjoy this view. The walk was also excellent and would recommend for anyone able, but it is a little steep in places.

Sketching at Lizard Point

Another walk we did was around Lizard Point. This was a mixed day, some glorious sunshine, some mist coming in. We had packed our pasties and found the perfect spot to sit and eat them on Old Lizard Head.

This looks towards Kynance Cove, again a slightly different view to normal. After I had eaten my pasty out came my paints to sketch the scene.

The biggest difficulty was getting the depth of field correct, but hopefully you like it.

Sketching at Long Rock

The weather hasn’t all been wall to wall sunshine and when we visited Long Rock it was definitely a day to dodge the showers!

However Long Rock is a gem to sit and look at St Michael’s Mount in Mounts Bay. And of course I got my paints out!

I spent longer that I normally do on the surf area and I am quite pleased with how it came out. There is more definition that I normally have in a sketch.

Sketching at Trelissick

Talking of changeable weather – Friday was a corker! It was wall to wall sunshine. So we packed up our lunch and headed to Trelissick Gardens for a walk around the woodland walk.

I found the perfect spot to get my paints out overlooking the beach. It was high tide and made a nice vista. However dark clouds gathered overhead and it became quite gloomy. In the images below I have included a photo of my initial sketch so you can see how my sketch comes together.

You will see I adopted a little “poetic” licence! I decided not to include the telescope, although on reflection perhaps I should have! Also the clouds could have been darker.

My sketches quite often get turned into cards, so have a look at my Greeting Cards page to see what is currently available. If you want to see what larger paintings I currently have for sale visit my Original Watercolours page.

We enjoyed a glorious sunny but cold February but sadly March has been very mixed. On this day the forecast promised sunshine so I headed out to do sketching at the Helford.

Glendurgan Gardens

I do love it down around the Helford River but with its narrow lanes I prefer to visit out of season. First stop was Glendurgan Gardens, with its beautiful blooms, the rhododendron in all their glory, the magnolia trees in bloom. It was so peaceful and it was great to be out and appreciate nature at its best.

View of the River

After walking through the gardens, we ventured out of the gates at the bottom of the garden and on to Durgan beach. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I found a lovely spot to capture the scene looking towards the beach at Trebah Gardens (Polgwidden Cove). Helford village is in the background and out came my paints and sketchbook.

Grebe Beach

Venturing further I then followed the path down to Grebe Beach. There was a few people making the most of the weather and enjoying a swim. I wish I had my swimming kit with me, but as I didn’t I sat down to capture the scene instead.

Back to Glendurgan Gardens

As well as enjoying sketching on the Helford River, I also took some photos, mainly of Glendurgan Gardens. My photos of this glorious day are below, click on any image to see an enlarged version.

At the time of writing this blog post I have a couple of paintings of the Helford River for sale. One is of the tree-lined banks of the Helford River. The other is Grebe Beach , but a slightly different scene from the one I sketched today. If these have sold then have a look at what paintings for sale are currently available.