I made this enlarged detail drawing from the original sketch done on the spot that I have recently shared on this blog. I just keep experimenting with close, closer closest that I used to do with the kids when I taught art to them. What goes round comes round, I am suggesting to myself now which feels good! I had some other ideas for this one but decided against them and am leaving it at this…Done on the handmade paper as the previous pieces were using pencil (2B), Pebeo dye and fine liner, that’s it.

I made this sketch on the spot in February this year and the study yesterday in pencil and Pebeo dye on handmade paper. May develop this into a painting or mixed media response we’ll see. The sky scraper had rather intriguing reflections and balcony vegetation which pulled me towards it as a motif in the first instance. You can tell from the photographs what drew me towards it I think. Dye and pencil work well together and you get stronger colour than with traditional watercolour. Click as usual to enlarge folks!

I made this oil-bar and china-graph pencil study on handmade paper today based on a sketch made on the spot in Hanoi earlier this year. It has taken me a while to start responding to the trip as I have been completing other work. I’m beginning to turn to the Hanoi and Singapore sketches now though, and am seeing what emerges. They may become paintings or just stay as studies, I’m not sure yet. I find oil-bar quite tricky due to the drying time, and how it is very difficult to make detailed marks. All a learning curve I suppose, but I do enjoy the lush colour and texture very much.

I made this oil-bar and oil-pastel piece last week from a sketch made after encountering a girl in a white dress whilst walking through the zoo in Singapore whilst on a night safari there. The vision stayed with me, and I made a sketch from memory the day after the experience. I find I can revisit memorable imagery through drawing and mark-making. I really enjoy the colour and tactile nature of the oil-bars at the moment. They are ideal for what I want to express. I won’t be able to show these drawings as they are in precious sketchbooks, which really can’t be dismantled without destroying the nature of the book. I am OK with that though, and will gradually fill the handmade paper book with responses. It was gifted to my as a birthday present by my son this year.