Good morning, Liz and myself are just about ready to set off on our travels  again; that is again to Normandy, but this time Honfluer, an area which we have not seen before. Hence the image above of nearby Caen, which we visited some years ago; but that day it was wet and miserable, the drawing was done from inside a café, lets hope for a weather improvement this time.

Lots to do and see, personally I love the history, such as Agincourt, Crecy, Henry the V, plus many others. The town is medieval with lots of very old buildings. Also the coast to the north east was a favourite area for Monet and many other artists to paint. Liz has lots of books to read and the weather is promising; so a good few days is on the cards. Lets see what transpires!

The other day New wine invited me to exhibit with them again this year; this time in Peterborough, I have been there, but to be honest the Rutland area is not an area which I am familiar with.

So lots happing, see you in a little over a week.

Duncan

I was at the monthly meeting of the Woking History association the other night and we were looking at Painshill Park and the use of papermashy in the outside decoration of building. Several were astounded at the fact that paper would stand up to the rain and wind.
Well above are to photos, the upper one of 1st. century and the Sea of Galilee and a typical boat of the period and area. The lower photo is of replica of the Nydam ship, a Nordic vessel of about 6/7 century AD. But of interest is that both representations are made almost totally from paper. The lower representation a Nordic vessel the hull is totally paper and totally waterproof.
So the Painshill papermashy work is really feasible.
Duncan

Two things to say tonight, firstly the above drawing. I do wish that you could see it for real, as it is a bit of an experiment. Normally with ink work, contrast and the control of that contrast is what a lot of it is all about. But with this drawing I tried to draw in a softer vein and reduce the contrast levels; making a gentle and soft image. I think that it works; what do you think?

Then secondly, when drawing in public places, my working, acts like a magnet and draws people to me. That doesn't bother me at all, in-fact, often quite pleasant conversations are result. But this last week two very needy and genuine people have come to me to talk with me as a direct result of my drawing.

Art is a super method of communication at many levels. 

See you soon.

Well Liz and myself are off traveling again. This time is up north to Sheffield and to see all our friends, sons and grandsons up there.

 Now as it is a little cold, I thought maybe a sketch of a warmer clime would be appropriate, so here is Moses Mountain (the Arabs call it Mont Mose, and they pronounce the o differently as well) this is in Wadi Rum, Jordan; its where the film Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Liz and myself spent a good few hours hanging onto the back for grim life of a four by four as the driver drove like a mad man all over the desert. He stopped occasionally for me to do a quick sketch or take photos and get our breath back, great fun. This was a very quick sketch, finished off in the hotel latter that night; but it works. 

There are many types of desert in differing places, this one is a sand and mountainous one, I have been in the Sinai, Sahara and other desserts some of them can be very cold, but this one was just so very beautiful and hot, very hot! You hear stories of the colours of the sand; but here, there are walls of rock here which are sand blasted into amazing shapes and each exposed strata is another colour. they look like massively over colour saturated pictures. Wadi Rum was one of those places which I will never forget.

Well that was better than talking about the cold in and around Sheffield; but I do love the people of and the place called Sheffield.

Went into London sketching yesterday and had a super time; its been a while as it just hasn't been possible, for all sorts of reasons to get there working. Well, I managed to get there last week and getting going again, but it was hard work, however this week I was back in my flow. It was the kind of day which says, this is what it is about. 

Art is all about communication, and that means meeting people, listening to their views, expressing yours and enjoying others company. Met four groups of note yesterday, firstly two lovely ladies who were off to a female writers conference, meal, drink sort of thing, that was pleasant; then seven students from northern France while I was painting the above, they were good fun. Next on the way home, a homeless guy in Trafalgar Square, he was quiet, not much confidence, but an ok guy. Then last but not least, whilst near Charring Cross, a local friend from Woking, we strolled back together, chatting about all sorts of things, before stopping for a coffee on the South Bank, where I did another sketch.

So two images, four pleasant groups of people; that is what I call a good day and what street painting is all about.

Had a nice day today: whilst we were visiting a friend in a nursing home. We needed to wait for short while, so as is my usual behaviour, out came my drawing and I settled down quite happily  to spend the waiting time productively. 

Along came a member of staff and we started chatting; people usually have no qualms about talking to artists. It was a pleasant ten minuets or so. The end result was that she loved my work---thank you.

we talked about ink and how wide are its applications. She liked still life as a youngster and was a little intrigued as to drawing glass with a pen. So here is one for you Amber. 

The trees project is exciting at the moment as there is a slight change in direction. The size of paper to work on has increased up to A3; still not a massive image, but when it is detailed ink work, the size is rather challenging and involves a great deal of work. However the results are rather encouraging, as the larger image give the end product a great deal of umph; they look good!

Considering technique and accuracy representation I am looking towards the ground more and looking at the various plants etc. and representing them in more definitive rather than abstract ways; for example the above drawing of which there is a list of each plant included. Areas of various grasses are challenging, but good fun. 

Must start thinking about my New Wine submission and work to be done for Epsom in the autumn.

So that's what I am up to at the moment.

Charles