Archive for February, 2009

Recently, I have undertaken some small drawing work – group and couples approx. A4 the Napoleon is A2, all have been drawn on hand made paper and using a HB propelling pencil – 0.3mm lead. The challenge has been not just getting the likeness right, but more importantly for me not using an eraser, partly because if you rub out the surface of the paper changes and therefore the mark made is not one intended, also in trying to work in this manner makes every mark matters and instills a requirement to be precise

The first drawing – ordered from Czech on a trip their last year from Petra who is a major fan of the French hero. Over a drink or six I agreed to produce a drawing for him, not something I would normally do and tried putting it off as much as possible anyhow, the night before he was due to arrive from Czech I spent a couple of intense hours in my studio working to complete it! I almost completed by the early hours of the morning, only requiring final touches. The next day at work I took it in with me to finish off before school, which, gladly I did. The result was that a colleague saw the drawing remarked how excellent it was and then commissioned my to do a drawing for her, from an old family photograph! (the original was not in great condition and only 8cm x 4cm!!

  This has led onto more drawing commissions, the later being of a colleagues sister and fiancé for their wedding present/use for table places at the wedding itself.

I must admit, I don’t particularly enjoy working from photos in this way although I set myself little challenges with each one. The family group was to get the detail of the garden in the background, the couple texture and folds of the clothing.Anyhow, I have a few more in the pipeline and the money I get is a nice bonus

We might be in the midst of snow flurries, but spare a thought for those down under particularly those in Adelaide; where temperature are soring above 40 degrees. Sent this via email from the Adelaide times: because of the hot weather koalas are suffering through lack of water, locals have been out trying to give them some water to keep them alive, below are a couple of images taken whilst helping them Do you reckon we would do the same for squirrels over here – doubt it!

Back again!! Well this time more determined to keep up to date with writing this blog, updating my website as well as continuing to keep tracks of the rugby website I administrate for.

At present, like so many other I am suffering with the snow.. well not really suffering as such, just getting the bottom of my jeans wet when walking the dog (since last really posted we have now got a new member to the family – Scruff the dog, a terrier cross puppy)

Have endured two full snow days this week and a half day today – taking just over 2 hours to drive to 5 miles to work this morning!!
I have been doing a little bit of artwork: two drawing commissions, and working out sketches for a painting based on the history of football ladybird book that I received as a present in a box set from my good friend Oz (more on him later – music wise)
I thought I’d break myself in slowly before getting up to full steam!

The recent snow flurries have brought excitement in the household, namely the dog’s first experience of the cold white stuff. He has loved it, unlike the venture into the sea during the summer in Cornwall so I thought I’d post a few images to get the ball rolling as it were. The aim is to update with the intensity that I had previously done (hopefully)

view from kitchen door – 8am Monday morning as taken by JJ

The Art of Snow

Snow Aliens created by JJ