Massanès, near Beauville, France

A quick sketch of a wall on the gite where we were staying - Massanès, near Beauville - as I was drawing a lizard perched on the windowsill but decided being an artists muse was not for him/her (I've never sexed a lizard!). The lizard scampered across the wall to rest outside the parameters of the sketch!

Gite Nicole, Les Cabanes, Les Gunies - Near Moncléra, Lot, France

 

Spent a lovely couple of weeks in Lot and spent a week in a gite owned by a lovely couple, Justin and Caroline and their two children, Nicole and Sophie. Their dog, Pedro made great friends with our Labradors, Dozer and Ziggy. We spent the week watching the dogs run around playing in the sun and dipping in the lake by the edge of the forest. Well worth a visit!

Had a lovely stay back in May at a small house in Peyrilles, France called La Balme. As usual I carried the bad weather with me but still enjoyed the walks and the countryside and our hosts, Ian and May, were a delight.

My wife and Mother in Law cutting back rampant brambles in Norfolk on a very hot sunny Saturday.

 

Pigment liner and then imported into Procreate to add the sky colour. My back garden in The Old Village Hall, Great Sampford in the June sunshine.

My last sketch in Ojén, near Marbella, Spain. Sitting in the town square.

My last sketch whilst sitting in the small town square. I'd had a lovely week and the sun even came out and warmed me up!

View from the roof terrace at Callé Grand Armadillo, Ojén near Marbella, Spain

The view from our lovely little rooftop terrace during a week in Ojén, near Marbella, Spain. The house was called Callé Grand Armadillo.

I was woken on Christmas morning by the sound of the clock downstairs chiming 7.00am. It was made by my brother and belonged to my Mother and Father. I love being woken by the chimes as it always reminds me of them - happy memories!  So I hope everybody has a lovely, peaceful and relaxing Christmas and here's to a good 2014!

Le Coin, Rudelle, France

A short stay in a small but delightful cottage called Le Coin in Rudelle. Had some great walks, drank too much and really relaxed.....lovely! The Old Bat wasn't flattered by my view of her - she moved on when she saw me sketching her in the lounger and did comment that I should not have included her in the sketch!

L

Chez Roullet, La Bouffie, France

I was just sitting, relaxing on the balcony and my flip flops (thongs to the Old Bat) were perched against the terracota pot making an interesting subject to sketch. So.......out came the pencils and pens!

 Lot et Garonne, France

A series of pen sketches whilst cycling, sitting (with chilled beer in hand) or eating whist on a weeks trip to France. My missus seems to have this amazing ability to fall asleep given any spare time and a good book. I'm sure this is not a reflection on the quality of the writing but more on the deep relaxed state she can achieve after lunch!

The Old Bat and I have just returned from a wet, rainy week in France. We had a lovely little place called Chez Roullet in a small hamlet called La Bouffie. The view from the balcony made up for the weather and.....instead of sunning I got a few sketches done! A great reconstruction effort by Stephen and Gaynor our hosts for the week.

I was sitting in Pret in the Strand very early the other morning (I was the first customer) and, in view of the lack of interesting subject matter for my sketchbook, I drew the mess on the table in front of me. I really must dump some of the rubbish I carry around with me all the time before my back gives way!

My notes on the sketch say it all really.....

I was up in Norfolk for a couple of days and took myself on a couple of very long, snowy walks. It was freezing!

When I got back I unpeeled my feet and put them on a chair and picked up my sketchpad whilst they were thawing out. We never thank our feet enough for carrying us around through thick and thin over many years.

So........thank you feet!

29th July - on my way to get my Sunday paper.
A little late in posting this as my daughters blog sketch took precedence. For those who don't know Thaxted please find the time to take a visit - a most beautiful and picturesque English town. Find the time for a coffee and just look at the architecture - the Guildhall is magnificent and the timbers are traditionally treated with lime.

A v.quick sketch of a Harvest Mouse for my daughters blog. I've yet to see the blog so I have no idea if my sketches are being used! Love the Latin name - 'Micrmys Minutus' - say's it all really!

Sat in Soho Square before a meeting. The place was really busy with tourists and Londoners all enjoying the 'Teleporter', the table tennis table and the piano which was occupied by a couple of guys doing a beautiful rendition of Your Song by Elton John. Oh....and surprise, surprise for this summer - it was raining!

A quick sketch for my daughter who writes for a gardening blog - Hoverflies are harmless and very useful in the garden both as pollinators and destroyers of aphids etc.

 

I was just returning from my Sunday morning cycle ride to Thaxted to pick up my paper when the sunlight cutting through the trees made this signpost stand out. So I sat down on the wet grass (using my Mums old shopping bag as a moisture barrier) and sketched the signpost - at least I knew how to get home!!

Coffs Harbour, Diet Coke...3/2/2012

 

Diet Coke on a showery day in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia