Some sketching out and about...

Fabulous sunny weather at the mo, so I spent as much time as possible outside this weekend...

Aloe flowers and clematis

Hello again!

Here are the next two studies in my 'natural world' sketchbook project.

 The first is a flower spike on one of our Aloe plants, on the windowsill.

And next, the clematis growing in the back garden.

Slowly filling the lovely Stillman & Birn sketchbook up!

Drypoint sparrow with watercolour

I've been experimenting with adding some watercolour to a few of the house sparrow drypoint prints...

Out and about at Anglesey Abbey

I managed to sneak out for a few hours a couple of affternoons ago, and I went to the National Trust's Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge. Managed to do a bit of sketching too.

 Lode Mill

In the rose garden

Drypoint sparrow

More inky fun - another drypoint, inspired by the birds I see and hear around the house and garden. Here's a cheeky house sparrow.

Printed area is approx. 6 by 8". This one was printed from an acrylic plate, which is more robust than the acetate sheets I've been using up to now. Again, it's the wiping and leaving of ink on the plate for tone that really makes the image for me, and I love the fresh sketchy feel you can get with the actual etching.