Magpie post-mortem study

I found this unfortunate bird (European Magpie, Pica pica) on a farm track near where I live. I don't know what caused its demise - it has no apparent injuries, but it does seem a bit thin perhaps. Anyway, I took the opportunity to do a pencil study. Hoping to complete a watercolour study at some point too. Various graphite pencils in a Stillman & Birn zeta journal, 8 by 12 inch.

Open Gardens sketching

I spent a very pleasant afternoon recently at the village Open Gardens event. The garden owners very kindly humoured me as I sat sketching, and I also enjoyed some delicious cake :-). Sadly I ran out of time (and sketchbook!) and didn't quite manage to visit all the gardens, but it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The ink sketches were done in situ, and the watercolour washes plus some additional drawing added later. Pics are clickable to enlarge.

Ink and watercolour, Seawhite of Brighton concertina sketchbook.