This sketch outlines how I enjoy using pen and ink.  To be able to render a familiar place in an art medium rather than a photograph is empowering. It makes me feel happy in doing the drawing but also the result is pleasing aesthetically as well.   This particular image shows various mark making techniques which when combined give a real effective artwork. This being a view of Treherbert as well as a view from which I often take my dog for his walk, is joyful.

 This image was a task I demonstrated in an art class a few years ago, but it was given away as a gift to a student who has since passed away.  I found a free images site and used this photo to both challenge myself but also the students.  I love the way the wolf looks down in the snow. I loved the process of using acrylic on an A3 sheet of paper, and began building up the layers of paint.  This one was very detailed around the head and the fur was extra tricky as I had to use a small long brush (rigger). I would love to do this again some day.  Acrylic was very forgiving and despite the fact it took a few sessions I was so pleased with the outcome.

This is one of my first oil paintings of my favourite location, on the beach in Tenby.  I just loved the feeling of this scene and tried to capture the colours and the time of day, it was early evening.  I discovered so much with this scene, applying oil paint, mixing and using medium to the paint. Then knowing how long to wait between layers.  The process enabled me to understand and really study the scene in a way that was not rushed but was done with great consideration. 

This was a memory of a great day around Caerphilly Castle,  I decided to paint an oil painting from a photo I took. The process took many hours as I am still new to oil painting. I did this a while ago now, but I never tire of such scenes.   The process Being able to use oil paint was so much longer than other mediums such as acrylic,  using mixing solvents in a well ventilated room were all lessons to learn. 

Visiting the local area in the Valleys always give me ideas for panoramic drawing,  this scene was taken from Aberdare Valley. This was an acrylic painting done as an exercise for my classes. I have a sense of joy in doing these as it is also an artistic memory which adds another dimension to the photograph.  Using acrylics has been a growing skill which I have used to help students make mistakes but yet not get too downhearted as this medium is so forgiving. 

Being able to draw and sketch my dog is such a joy, he is do affectionate and funny. With every photo and resulting artwork, I feel emotional in making him an art memory.  This was a nice and refreshing sketch of Copper in ink.  It was taken from a photo I took of him while on holiday in Tenby. I always like using pen and ink and this drawing especially was a challenge trying to create the wet fur effect.  But I enjoy studying Copper as he has such expressions and this is som ething I want to capture in my art.  I did this 29th July 2018 . The process involved using a fineliner pen with various sizes for the nib size.  I used a range of markmaking styles to effect this outome.  Sometimes the greatest skill or trait for doing these images is patience and try not to rush.

This is a pen and ink sketch of a view from the harbour. Using various marketing techniques helped to make this a pleasing study. This was done a few years ago, but wanted to add to this blog.

This sketch was done while visiting Manorbier Castle,  a beautiful location we visited while on holiday in West Wales this Easter. A simple pen and ink sketch to help me remember the visit in art.  Many artist say yhat drawing observational and sketchbook drawings help build your skillset in readiness for indepth studies, I feel this is correct.   This sketch was from Tenby's famous five arches. Again a visual artistic reminder to help me feel the emotion of our holiday there this year.  An iconic structure that gives Tenby one of it's many famous historic buildings. It is good to use your own images to sketch such buildings rather than copy another artist's artwork.