Good morning everybody and today I am thinking about sketching. As you no doubt guessed, I tend to carry an A4 drawing board and a couple of pieces of paper ,plus a pen, around with me most of the time (the board is 3/16 of an inch MDF which weights in at only about 2 ounces if that, it slips easily in to my shoulder bag); so that when the chance arises. out it comes and a doodle is produced. The result is that there is a nice memory and a nice bit of relaxation. The following images were all done in the last week, when out for walks, town, breakfast or whatever.

I have reproduced them on the small size, because a sketch is often rather small; if they were larger, they would take longer to produce; so small is quick and A4 paper dose not take up much space to carry around. The first picture is of a small, wonderfully, quiet, neglected orchard on the edge of Horsell Common. Cows graze the area, so the grass is shortish and brambles are kept down, wild flowers and grasses were amazing. The second was when out for breakfast this morning in Guildford (full English, lovely). The next is of the Thames near Windsor. Following that a lock on the Wey navigation near West Byfleet (saw another grass snake just up river). Then lastly a picnic spot at Hatchlands stately home. All very different situations, all a chance to relax a while, whilst I was looking properly and incidentally enjoying the places more fully.

P.s. my wife Liz is very patient! and enjoys a good book whilst I draw.

See you soon,

Duncan