Sue Pownall: Artist & illustrator
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Nature Journal - a new diversion

24/4/2018

 
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For Earthday2018, an urbansketcher friend posted an invitation, a nature challenge  #sowinghopefornature, which included starting a nature journal. (Read the post here). I've been having a muse-free year and think this is the incentive I need  - I'm even blogging again.

First, I got out a new Seawhite of Brighton A5 Artists Travel Journal Sketchbook and attacked it with a stencil that was left over from a workshop, thereby commiting myself to the task.

Then, my furry assistant and I headed into the garden - it was a glorious sunny day -
and started my first spread and, as last year, I celebrated Earthday with a watercolour. On 8th April, I sowed a corner of my garden with wildflower seeds, cornfield annuals, plus a plug of Digitalis and one of Knautia Arvensis. They were last year's seeds, but they are starting to grow 🌱 In front, is a willow fence is to stop my lovely assistant digging them up. Below are photos of this first spread.

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With text added to the spread. (Click to see the image larger)
I had several ideas for a second spread, yay I have a muse, but when driving to visit my mum there was a hitchhiker, a cabbage white butterfly, on my dashboard and then windscreen. (I pulled over, parking, and turning the engine off three times to take photos and to try to let it out). Therefore, my second spread had to be of the hitchhiker.

I don't like handlettering, so am going through a trial and error period whilst I find a style that's both fast and neat. Here's the hitchhiker...
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and a bad photo of the spread.
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Today, I managed to get the butterfly out of my car, fed it a little sugar water, and it is currently on my begonia in the kitchen as it's too cold to put it outside.

Unfortunately, due to my teaching commitments, I didn't have the time to add anything to the journal, I will do soon, but am not putting any pressure on myself to do X per day, week, or month. Please check back here soon.

Rehearsals of Roman River Music

17/7/2016

 
PictureSketching 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.

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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?

Wimbledon

11/7/2016

 
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Pencil sketch from Henman Hill, Wimbledon.
PictureSketch in progress at Wimbledon.
Did you miss me yesterday? I was at Wimbledon for Finals Day. As many of you know, I love watching tennis, so I forgot to blog in the excitement of preparing to go. I also forgot to pack my watercolours, but managed to sketch a view from my spot on Henman Hill.

I plan to add some colour IF I get a moment.

What did you do on the weekend?

Here, there, & everywhere.

3/7/2016

 
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Exhibiting in the Old Bank Studios Summer Exhibition.
It has been a busy time: two of the art courses that I have been tutoring concluded; I've run a workshop as part of the Harwich Festival of the Arts; I have had drawings being exhibited at Old Bank Studios (the exhibition closes today); and the garden project continues.
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Info sheet I prepared for a class on line and wash. ‪
Finally, I have managed to do some sketching. This is the latest and the model was fantastic sitting very still.
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What have you been doing?

Sketch meet: Concert in the park

22/5/2016

 
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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.
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People in the audience.
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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

 
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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.
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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.
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Jo dibuixo i tu?

23/4/2016

 
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Plaça dels Àngels.
PictureRafa serves. ©Sue Pownall 2016
I have just spent the last few days in Barcelona.  On Wednesday, I flew over having left my assistant to stay with her dogsitter. After checking into my hotel, I headed straight to MACBA and spent and hour on the above sketch.

After the rain stopped, I spent Thursday at the Barcelona Open BancSabadell – Trofeo Conde de Godo. I saw Rafa win amongst other matches, but didn't sketch anything.  

Friday morning, I headed out for breakfast and had to paint the girl at a nearby table. (below) I went straight in with paint as I didn't know how long she would be there. I had just snapped her surreptitiously, should have moved the menu, when she left.

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From there, I visited the Fundació Antoni Tàpies and saw some interesting artwork and prints before heading to Passeig de Gracia. Being the day before Sant Jordi (Saint Georges), who is the patron saint of Catalonia, Gaudi's Casa Batlló had been covered in roses. It looked beautiful and still being early there were not too many people, so I sat on the street corner to sketch it.
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Gaudi's Casa Battló covered in roses.
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In the afternoon, I went to see some more art at the CaixaForum, which had an exhibition Impressionists and Moderns: Masterworks from The Phillips Collection.

Then went for a walk up to Barcelona's botanical garden. I sat and did a small watercolour, which I really enjoyed painting, surrounded by vegetation, bird song (including green parrots), and little else.

Afterwards, I had a wander around took lots of photos of the beautiful plants and flowers.


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A glade in Jardí Botànic de Barcelona.
Yesterday was my last day and I spent it catching up with some friends. I still managed an incomplete sketch whilst waiting to meet a close friend for brunch. I wanted to capture some of the San Jordi celebrations, as I did last year (Sant Jordi 2015) but tables and more were still being set up, so started above them... and ran out of time.
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Finally, a photo of Saint Georges dragon near Barcelona university.

*Jo dibuixo i tu? is Catalán for I draw, do you?

Monthly challenges.

3/4/2016

 
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Across the Road. ©Sue Pownall 2016
PictureWIP: Bourne Mill in winter.
There's a new challenge over on twitter led by Anthony Greentree (@antsgreentree) called #buildapril, which is is all about buildings and structures in any media.

Above is my 1st April sketch of my across-th-road neighbours drawn with a Super5 pen with DeAtramentis ink and painted with Winsor & Newton watercolours in A Daler Ebony A5 sketchbook. Whilst right is a work in progress started yesterday of Bourne Mill.

Last month's challenge was #animalmarch, and I started well with daily sketches of my assistant, but then life got in the way. Here are a selection of them:


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The Egg Hunt

29/3/2016

 
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Children hand-in their egg hunt sheets in exchange for a Cadbury chocolate bunny. ©Sue Pownall 2016
PictureIllustration for the Cadbury's Egg Hunt at Bourne Mill. ©Sue Pownall 2016
I was invited to sketch the Egg Hunt at Bourne Mill, a National Trust property, over the Easter weekend.

Good Friday was a glorious spring day, clear skies and sunshine, and the Mill proved to be a very popular venue for an egg hunt as there were over 300 entries, so more Cadbury's bunnies were needed for the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, the forecasted rain held off and saw many more families completing the hunt. Unfortunately, due to Storm Katie and the 50pmh plus winds, the mill was closed on Easter Monday.

Sitting at a picnic table alongside the pond, I sketched the children trying to solve the clues. It was funny watching many of the dads work it out, spot the eggs, almost point, then clamp their mouths shut until their son or daughter could do it.

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Egg hunters. ©Sue Pownall 2016
Eggs were hidden throughout the property and I had to find places to sketch without giving the location away and refrain from looking at the eggs when children were near. Here are a couple of them:
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The clue in the bug hotel. ©Sue Pownall 2016
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The pit room egg. Pencil sketch. ©Sue Pownall 2016
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Finally, the egg hunters returned to the desk and claimed their Cadbury's bunnies. (Top image)


Left is a photo of me sketching in the wheel room. Behind me is the wheel, which was incredibly noisy, but it was an atmospheric place to sketch.

I have to confess, I am disappointed the weekend is now over as it was a great event to attend in a lovely location.

Sketching poolside

6/3/2016

 
PictureWeek 1.
My assistant's left leg is giving her a lot of problems, so she is currently undergoing hydrotherapy. As she only paddles and doesn't swim, I was a little anxious, but after her second proper session, she is doing well... and the yellow head float has been removed.

The first week, I took some photos, but this week, as she was calmer I sketched a little. It was difficult as I couldn't wear my glasses due to the humidity. I think I managed to capture the idea, don't you?

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Inktense pencils
<<Previous

    About me

    I am a nomadic artist travelling the world for inspiration. Here, I publish my sketchbook work alongside my new finished pieces.

    All posted artwork/images and text are ©Sue Pownall. All rights reserved.

    Email for permission if you want to use them using the contact form.

    It is ok to quote images or text on your non-commercial blog or website as long as you give a credit and link back. It is not okay to pin images.


    Copyright © 2009-2019
    Sue Pownall

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