Category: Musicians

Rehearsals of Roman River Music

17/7/2016

Sketching in Mistley church. Photo by Victoria Steinitz.

Recently, I was very flattered to be invited to sketch at the Roman River Music concerts, of which the main festival is in the autumn (Details here). A limited number of Colchester Sketchers were invited to join me at a couple of rehersals connected to the Summer Festival.

Last Friday, we went to St Mary's & St Michael's church in Mistley where the talented musicians Elena Urioste violin, Timothy Ridout viola, Orlando Jopling cello, and Tom Poster piano were rehearsing for their concert that evening.

Arriving before the musicians, I took advantage of the time and sketched one of the church's beautiful stained glass windows.

Window in St Mary's & St Michael's ©Sue Pownall

Then tried to capture the musicians as they rehearsed... but I have to confess to keep stopping to listen to the music. The sketches are in pencil or watercolour. Here are my results:

The following day's rehearsals were in St Mary's, Wivenhoe and the musicians seemed to have such fun. They were all superb and were Juliette Bausor flute,
Daniel Bates oboe, Katherine Spencer clarinet, Stuart King bass clarinet, Peter Whelan bassoon, and Pip Eastop horn. Again I sketched in pencil or watercolour:

I can't wait to sketch more!

What have you been sketching?

Sketch meet: Concert in the park

22/5/2016

Impression of the bandstand and The Band of The Parachute Regiment.

Last Sunday, I arranged for the Colchester Sketchers to sketch at the bandstand in Colchester Castle Park where The Band of the Parachute Regiment were playing. The concert was great, the sun was out for the majority of the afternoon, and there was a good turn out of sketchers. The only negative has to be my wonky perspective and roof on my watercolour.

People in the audience.

Band leader

After doing the watercolour sketch, I did the two quick pencil sketches above.

What do you think of them? The band liked my watercolour.

*****

Next Sunday, if you are in the Colchester area, you will find me at the Farmers Market at Bourne Mill, where I have a table showing sketches, paintings and selling prints and cards. Pop by and say hello :)

Have a lovely week everyone.

Drinking and drawing

1/5/2016

Pencil sketch of Natasha Robertson at The Black Buoy's April/May Beer Festival 2016

I have just returned from the Black Buoy in Wivenhoe's May bank holiday real ale festival. My assistant and I sat outside sketching and listening to the music, although my assistant was more interested in the fish and chips.

Earlier this week, I arranged for the Colchester Sketchers to drink/draw at the Bricklayers. My first sketch of my Aspell's cider was the most successful and is shared below.

Direct watercolour sketch.

Finally, something different, I currently have my experimental piece hung at the Art Exchange where it was selected for the Celebrate Landscape exhibition. If you are in the area, pop in before it closes next Saturday.

Folk & coffee

10/1/2016

Carys, direct watercolour sketch

Yesterday, I arranged for the Colchester Sketchers to meet at the monthly folk session of SlackFolk. We had a great turn out, but due to venue limitations didn't manage a group shot at the end.

The music and atmosphere was great, so I spent a lot of time just listening. As usual, I also did a lot of chatting to the other sketchers too...
I still managed several sketches, of which I think the direct watercolour ones are the best. Do you agree?
What did you sketch this weekend?

Quick trip to Italy

6/12/2015

Last week, I had to pop over to Italy to do some banking and negotiate with builders. As always, my sketchbook was in my handbag and here are a few of the sketches I did.

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Drinkdraw at the Foresters Arms

29/11/2015

Bagpiper player

I'm back after a little blogging hiatus and hope to resume regular Sunday blogging now.

This week I arranged for a drinkdraw evening in the Foresters Arms, Colchester. After nearly 2 hours of sketching, chatting and of course having a drink or two, our group was treated to the local folk jam, which gave us an assortment of musicians and singers to sketch.

That's all for now but don't forget to come back next Sunday.

If you have any thoughts or comments about my sketches, I'd love to receive them.

A Perfect Day?!

13/9/2015

Spindle Drilling Machine in The 'Simpson' Belt Driven Workshop.

In-situ sketching.

This weekend is Heritage Weekend in UK with many interesting places open for free. Yesterday, taking advantage of the lack of entrance fee, I went to the Museum of Power, Langford.

The sound and sight of The 'Simpson' Belt Driven Workshop attracted my attention, so I decided to sketch there. With so many machines, belts, and interesting things I chose a small section to focus on and the above sketch is the result. Here is the in-situ photo. This sketch was done with a sepia Derwent pencil in A4 Monologue sketchbook. Whilst the afternoon sketch was Winsor & newton watercolours, Staedtlar Pigment liner in Daler A5 sketchbook.

After lunch, Degas and I went to Goldhanger for their Gala Weekend. With a karate demo going on in the churchyard, I took Degas down the road and walked her around the sea wall before heading into the village. As musicians were setting up in the Salty Dogs Tea Room, we headed there. It was the perfect afternoon: What's better than drinking tea (and eating carrot cake), in a beautiful garden, listening to live music, with your dog lying at your feet as you sketch?

Music, tea & cakes in a beautiful garden.

It was a lovely day. What would make your perfect day?

A Sketcher at Tavistock Edge

26/7/2015

A small section of the Tavistock Edge flash choir.

MY assistant & I.

As mentioned in my previous post, we were down in Devon to sketch the new Tavistock Edge event. My assistant was an absolute star, so we spent virtually all day at the event.

First up was a flash choir in the Pannier Market. Naturally, I knew where and when this was occurring and found a bench to sit on, although hadn't planned on the huge crowd blocking my view. The sound was lovely and Degas was happy as long as she had her pig's ear and no-one stood on her paws or tail.

Next up, we wandered to the Buskstop, and sketched The Diggurz, who list the genre as roots/redneck/celtic. Degas was fantastic even having a little dance at one point.

From the Buskstop, we wandered down the road to see the Lodestone Border Morris group. Degas found the stick bashing a problem, yet still stayed for a couple of dances. I'm really pleased with the sketch as I tried to focus on the colour and movement. What do you think?

Lodestone Border Morris.

Sketching moving morris men.

Finally, we wandered to St Eustachius' churchyard where there was a whole afternoon of entertainment. My favourite was Miss Von Trapp who describes herself as "Murderously Quirky Dark Cello Cabaret: Morbidly Vaudeville Songs, Cabaret Numb...ers and Performance Poetry to revolt and entertain..." and I thought she was brilliant.

I certainly hope the festival will continue next year as we had a great time. What do you think of my sketches? Please leave a comment as I love to receive them.

Rehearsals of Roman River Music

Sketch meet: Concert in the park

Drinking and drawing

Folk & coffee

Quick trip to Italy

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Drinkdraw at the Foresters Arms

A Perfect Day?!

A Sketcher at Tavistock Edge

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About me

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