Well today a significant mile stone has been reached in my present project; called trees and beyond, that is in looking at the symbiotic relationship which trees have with their surroundings. Number 300 in the series has been passed. The original idea was for a dozen or so images to be produced, but as the subject was looked at closer, the subject became wider and then even wider again. Indeed it is still widening!

The above is number 300 and of a beech tree near the mushroom farm, Woking, is important as it demonstrated the need for really quite dramatically dark blacks and the use of a hard contrast. With the use of ink in this type of subject, the reality is dawning that very rarely is there an allowance for leaving any of the paper completely white, Surprisingly a light grey often seams to stand out more against a very dark area that pure white would; now that I do not understand?

Oh well must go, see you soon.

Yesterday was the first truly spring type day of this year and it was just lovely. Liz and myself remarkably had a day off, so we decided to make the most of it and go out.

A lazy start and we were out by about ten, a short walk near Walton on Thames was the aim, which we did, then on to the weir and a pub which for the life of me I can not remember the name. A large lemon and lime with a picnic of tuna mayo sandwich's, a packet of cheesetts followed; lovely.

Then we just relaxed by the river, another drink, with Liz reading and myself sketching; the above drawing being the result.

The method is simple if challenging. No pencil, no rubber, just a pen on paper. The shapes are drawn using a very light method of ink application. This is repeated several times until the outline becomes stronger; then hatch, cross hatching and yet more cross hatching until the end result is reached. The trick is to be very light fingered with the pen in the early stages and towards the end not being afraid of getting really black.

Got home fiveish, had tea, a bath, before watching a dvd.

Great fun, super day.

The weather today looked very promising, so of to London went I and the fine sunny day did not disappoint; in fact by the late afternoon it was very warm and it would have been quite pleasant without my jumper.

Returning to Smithfield's Market which was briefly passed the other day, however then being on a mission, was unable to stop. Amazingly, it was a rare occasion, when there was  no camera or sketchbook about my person.

Very near the Barbican the area is so yuppyish, but immediately around the market the place feels original 50's London, friendly, warm and everybody chatted to everybody else. The group of people to the bottom right of the sketch were construction workers, employed on the over ground railway scheme. They kept coming over to natter and see the ongoing work was progressing. The sketch should have taken 20 mins or so; but with stopping and talking to the above, it took over an hour; however a very pleasant hour. Then another sketch and onto a bacon butty in a real back street greasy spoon caf; lovely.  What a super morning.

Had lots more adventures but there isn't room here. 

The other day when finishing the above drawing of the approach to Woking along the Basingstoke canal, from the south, there was a small amount of satisfaction. The way in which the ink was applied  to me was pleasing, as in many ways it was a little difficult to produce. So rather pleased with myself it was shown to the Lovely Liz.

Her reaction was not what I wanted. She said it looks like Winnie the Pooh and Tiger going for a walk; I was deflated.

The moral of this tale is, don't get to pompous about yourself.

Duncan

For various reasons over the last few months getting into London has been a little tricky, so my sketching on the streets of our capitol has frustratingly had to lie on the back burner for a while. Well on Thursday as the weather looked fine so Liz reluctantly let me of the leash. I didn't do to much and travelled round on the busses whilst limiting my drawing to two pieces. Number 1 was of the Queen's Gate into the House of Lord's and number 2 was in Trafalgar Square, a short bus ride away. Met lots of interesting people; a couple from Canada who were amused at our rather over reaction to snow, two from Atlanta, over for a christening and lastly an Israeli family; they were just loving the city. 

Remember that the exhibition at the Augustus John in Fordingbridge is there for another week.

Art is all encompassing and seems to take a hold of most parts of my life. As such most of the thoughts and objects which pass me by, tend to be drawn or painted; one good example of this is the everyday clutter which surrounds us in our homes. Recording of all this clutter is oft referred to as one of the disciplines of still life painting. I love a glass of whisky and I also love Victoria plums; hence the above ink drawing.

A Patient whom I saw in St. Peters hospital last week requested it.

Remember that if you are down in Fordingbridge in the New Forest before April the 1st. there is a small exhibition of mine at the Augustus John Pub.

Liz and myself had a little adventure yesterday. As you all know, I was booked to hang an exhibition in the Augustus John pub in Fordingbridge in the New Forest, The weather was not very encouraging, however there was a small gap in the two snow belts and we managed to get there, hang the exhibition and return within the gap. Despite the pictures being hung rather quickly, we felt that it all looks rather good. We spent the evening watching a dvd, staying warm and had a lovely warm early night! The pictures are there until the 1st of April.

Maybe a seasonally whitish image is appropriate for today, so the above picture is of the Basingstoke Canal as it passes behind Goldsworth Park, Woking, about half a mile from home. As a contrast my next blog with have a cheery sunny feel to it.