WOYWW

 Happy Whats on you  workdesk Wednesday.  Hope you all had a fabulous week?  We were lucky in the UK as the weather wasnt too bad at all, so lots done on the allotment.

Been a bit slow making my return visits, I will try harder, honest!  On my desk this week is a card I need to make for a upcoming birthday and also some paint brushes!  I bought 2 new brushes at the weekend (well I had to walk past the art shop to get to the Bristol Urban Sketcher meet up at the weekend so it seemed like the ideal opportunity!

The reason I was looking for a couple of brushes is that I borrowed this art book from the library.  I looked through my brush roll (mainly filled with my Dad's brushes when I sorted out his kit after he died a few years back) and it didnt look like I had them (the author suggest  synthetic round No 2 and No 6 being the most useful for the 25 techniques in the book).  So, now I have the brushes I dont really have any excuse not to a least make a start on the techniques!!

At the weekend we also had another Bristol Urban Sketchers meet up (physical rather than the zoom ones we have been doing over the past couple of years).  This time it was in Berkley Square, a lovely outdoors venue, nice and quiet with tree cover (in case we had some showers).  There was about 17 of us sketching at various places across the park, some on the grass (some really organised who brought their own small fold up seats)

This was my sketch, I tried something different this time as I splashed some colour down on the page first in the general areas and then added the detail after.  Something I think I will try again as it wasnt as daunting as an empty page!

My "Man Bites Dog" cards this week - well, new prez!  You couldnt make this up!  These are random cards, honest!!  Anyhoo, are you sharing your desk?  What have you been up to?

Happy crafting

kyla

WOYWW

 Hello peeps, its another What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday where we share our desks.  Well, I loved having a mid week day off last week so I took another this week so I could craft for a bit again!  

On my desk is my 365 journal and I thought I would get an early start on the May month page.  I found a few years back that adding a layer of gesso helps the inks flow across the page and not bleed through as much so I tend to use this as a base layer on my pages now.

My "Man Bites Dog" cards this week are 'Judge Stabs Teen Actor' - not great but that was how the cards came out randomly drawn!!

Moving on - you may have seen this on my IG page etc but at the weekend we had our regular Bristol Urban Sketchers meet up (apart from one last summer they have had to be virtual for the past 13 months where we chat on live video call whilst sketching-the positive is that we can sketch ANYWHERE in the world!).  

This time we sketched in Jerusalem.  There were some amazing view in the old city etc, but I also found this fascinating structure where it appears to be a large circular structure held aloft with wires!  

So, whats on your workdesk this wednesday?

Kyla

WOYWW

Hello peeps, sorry wasn't able to post or visit last week as been chokka with pay the bills job. But, I was determined to take part this week so i took this last night (in the now lighter evenings in the UK- woo hoo, happy days).  I made my April page for the 365 journal challenge and my 'Man Bites Dog' cards this week are 'tourist tricks killer, again!!'  It's the 'again' that makes me wonder!! 

So the desk has some stuff on it, but i thought i would share how it was at the weekend- well I think lockdown 3 in the UK may have gotten to me finally as I decided to clean my craft room!!! I know!! Not just a quick dust but taking stuff off shelves and proper damp dusting!!! Well, once every few years I suppose isn't too bad! This was the during shot

But this was the after and I must admit it does look and smell better!!! 

Then on my dailywalk i spotted this in a bus shelter

It was lovely finding it, mainly as I also abandon art so it was lovely to see someone else does it also.

So, what's on your workdesk Wednesday? 

Kyla 

Bristol urban sketchers

 Just a quick update. In these strange times when travel is restricted and meeting up off the cards the amazing Bristol Urban Sketchers (who i have been a member of for a few years now) have done virtual meet ups and sketches. We all chat on video call whilst sketching an agreed location (got to love google street view its almost like you are walking around). 

This time it was Kathmandu!! 

The meet up is a couple hrs just as our regular meet ups were and although my sketches are very amateur (albeit better than when i joined a few years ago as you learn so much from the others) the talented group never let you feel disappointed and are so supportive (their sketches are amazing and such a mix of styles too, i love it)  

However my wee desk looks like a bombs hit it!!! Remember that when you pop back for wednesdays 600th WOYWW anniversary-there is sometimes arty stuff on my desk!!! 

Hope you are all having a fab weekend

Kyla 

Urban Sketchers Bristol

Hello peeps, I forgot to blog about our last Bristol Urban Sketchers meet up (we have the latest one this afternoo) .  Usually we meet in town and chat, sketch, regroup for some lunch and sometimes a cheeky pint too.  Well, under lockdown this of course has to change so we have gone virtual!

We sketched using google etc in Alhambra, Spain at the suggestion of one of our members.  Well, what a beautiful location, some amazing scenery, small backstreets and amazing buildings too.  It was also great being able to catch up with the others and sketch whilst chatting to others too.

Sadly my notebook is not great for watercolour as the paint sinks straight in so ideally I should just use pencil or pen and ink (as we know from an earlier post on here its not like I don't have a "few" blank notebooks in the stash!!) but I keep forgetting that I am sketching at home and don't have to use my travel kit and could actually pop upstairs and grab the pencils!!

I am looking forward to being able to sketch again outside and meeting up with the group, but in the mean time, this is a really good alternative and a great way to explore other places, albeit virtually

Happy sketching

kyla

Inktober update

 For those of you who follow my Instagram account you would have seen my progress for this years Inktober as I posted them at the time.

However, for those who haven't here is the next installment of my tags (the first 12 were posted on my blog here)

I am pleased I stuck to tags over the past 3 years as they don't take up much room, are quick to do (so I actually get to finish the month challenge) and are easy to flick back through to see how my style has developed.

It is not always easy to think of a picture for the prompt but there is SO much inspiration out there as inktober is now so big there are thousands following and painting each day!

It feels a shame when the month comes to an end but I have to admit one month is enough, I have looked at annual challenges before and I know I would not stick to it!

So there you are, another Inktober completed!  Did you take part?  I would love to see yours if you did, please let me know in the comments.

Kyla

Abandoned Tag

For a couple of years now I have been taking part in Art Abandonment and Free Art Friday. 

 The idea is you make some art and abandon it somewhere, leaving your details on the back so they can contact to register a find (if they wish), usually via the Art Abandonment or Free Art Friday facebook groups

Some people leave sculptures, painting, pebbles, canvass, jewelry all different things. 

I like to travel light so have a few tags and a couple pens in my bag or coat pocket so tend to sketch on the fly.  This is my tag I left in my favourite cafe in Cardiff the other week, Atma, a Buddhist Cafe that makes lovely food and a great atmosphere.

No idea if anyone has found it, hopefully if they did they will contact the group on FB as it is always nice to hear from someone who found them.

I like the idea of this as it forces me to take 10 mins out of the daily grind to sketch, which tends to be totally self absorbing whilst you are doing it and if it brings a smile to someone else then even better.

Happy crafting 

Kyla

Urban Sketchers Bristol meet up

 Last Saturday was the Urban Sketchers Bristol chapter meet up.

We met in the Bristol Museum and I decided to sit in the cafe and sketch using my new travel watercolour kit 

I also decided to try and sketch people, my first person (chap with the top knot on the left) was my first and my favorite, I am not very pleased with the others but am seeing this as something I can learn to develop as I try new techniques etc.

One thing we did find out during the meet up was that the museum does NOT allow you to use anything other than pencil!  Several staff approached some of the group about their watercolours (even though we were all using sealed water pens, the ones that hold a small amount of water in the cartridge and doesn't even flick out of the fiber end) asking them to stop using them.  

Sadly we cannot find this anywhere on their webiste and none of their staff could even point out where this was stated!  I totally understand the issue, but these sealed pens carry no risk of spillage whilst children run around with bottles of juice and they even sell water pistols in the museum shop! 

 Now we know we can ensure that we only bring pencils if we sketch there again, but it is a shame that this was not communicated to the public and I suggest a tad outdated considering most use  water pens.  It would be interesting to know other museums take on this or whether other groups have had any issues?

If you have please let me know?

Kyla

De cluttering my sketching kit

 Now, I am sure I am not alone but I tend to carry round in my handbag more than I need!

During 2018 I have tried to pare down what I carry, especially as my RA develops and I find it more difficult to carry heavy bags.  So I thought it was time to try and do the same for my urban sketching kit.  Now, I often just carry a few pens and a few posca's BUT I do like to splash a bit of colour around and I often use my travel watercolour kit so I looked around the web to see if I could get some ideas and boy, there are some GREAT ideas out there.

I saw many people who put art kits in small tins so I thought I would try that.

In CASS Art they had a sale for members so I bought a new travel kit where the colour pans were easily removed (cheaper than buying 9 separately)

Then in poundland I spotted this tin filled with sugar free mints and worked out this was exactly the right size.

So I decided which colours I wanted to include (that research took longer than making it all!) and stuck them in with contact adhesive.

I decided to use 9 colours and in the small space I added a small piece of sponge and cut down a pencil.  The small paint brush that came with the kit fits perfectly in the lid.

So there you have it, a small painting kit that fits not just in my handbag but also in my pocket!!  I am hoping that this will encourage me to paint/sketch more, only time will tell.

Do you have any ideas for lightweight kit, feel free to share.

Kyla

Malta sketching

Another update on some of the crafting I did in Malta.

In Valletta there are some gardens called Upper Barrakka Gardens with a lift that takes you down to the harbour/waterfront.  The gardens are lovely, trees, flowers and a fountain.  Even better is a fantastic cafe, which is licensed so you can have a beer if you want (and cake!)

Whilst I was sat there I decided to do a small watercolour.

Only a really quick sketch and colour whilst I was sat having a coffee with my friend, Jon, who lives in Malta but a great way to help capture some memories.

Happy crafting

Kyla

Malta urban sketching

 Finally getting round to downloading my photos from the holidays.

In order to have an excuse to sit down and rest as often as possible I decided to do some sketching as often as I could!

This was a quick sketch of the street in front of the new food market in Merchant Street.

Just a quick 10 min sketch with a biro (all I had on me at the time). 

I love that in my sketch book I have various sketches of Malta over the past 5 years that I have been visiting. I find it a great way of recording what I do on the holiday (as I rarely get round to scrapbooking these days-it is another thing on my ever expanding to do list).

More Malta photos to come!

kyla

A new technique

 As some of you may know I belong to Bristol Urban Sketchers.

A couple of meet ups ago I was chatting to a very talented young lady who was using oil pastels and tissue paper to create a sort of print impression.

I was so impressed I remembered that I have some oil pastels and tissue paper at home so thought I would have a go.

First I coloured the tissue paper with oil pastel

then I used a biro to sketch my design onto the tissue paper

then you lift the paper to reveal the picture.  

I really like this effect and its something I think I will experiment more with.

Kyla

Bristol Urbansketchers monthly meet up

Just a quick update (trying to update via my phone so who knows how this will turn out)! 

The weekend saw the monthly meet up of Bristol Urban sketchers. A fantastic group I have belonged to for a few years and we are growing in size.

This time we all met at the Underfall Boatyard at Bristol docks.

Some fantastic things to sketch and a great place just to sit and watch the world go by as it's a working boatyard as well as pleasure boat trips.

A lovely couple of hours sketching then we all meet up for drinks or a spot of food and chat and swap sketch books and personally I learn a lot of new techniques too.

Happy crafting

Kyla 

Bristol Urban Sketchers

I am a bit tardy in blogging recently as my "pay the bills job" has once again been ruling my life, something I am hoping to redress in 2018 and get some more balance (especially since my Rheumatoid Arthritis flares are triggered by stress).

One way I find I can detach myself from the stresses of daily life is to urban sketch. These are a couple updates from the last two Bristol Urban Sketchers meetups.

This one was along the floating harbour in Bristol opposite The Thekla, a floating music venue and Bristol institution. 

The December up was in the John Wesley Chapel in the centre of town and their new cafe, a great meeting place, light, airy and some fabulous things to sketch-though I admit I found a comfy seat and sat and sketched right there!

At the end of the sketch we all meet up for drinks/food and share our work.

They are a great group and in the past couple of years I have been taking part I have learnt so much from them.

If you fancy Urban Sketching I thoroughly recommend joining your local group.

Happy crafting

kyla

Autumnal leaves

 So, ridiculously busy at work at the moment (since mid June it has been hectic) which as you will have noticed means very little time to blog or craft.  

However this weekend was such lovely weather it meant my hubby and I went into town and actually managed to eat lunch sat outside in the park!  I know, in the UK at the end of October, we couldn't believe it. I really love all the seasons but Autumn is special with the assault on the senses of the contrast in temperatures, the noise of crisp leaves rustling and the smell of the still warm soil and the leaf mulch building up.

Anyway, as I sat there a large leaf fell in front of me so I took out my pen and did a quick 2 min sketch, not great but a quick doodle which I enjoyed.

Which I then decided to leave tucked into the bench we were sat.

No note, nothing-just a quick sketch then abandoned.

No idea if anyone found it or it blew away but I enjoyed the act of doing and leaving.

Happy crafting

Kyla

Trinity Buoy Wharf Sketching

 One of my recent trips was to London to take part in "The Big Draw".  

Sketchers were met at Trinity Buoy Wharf and for about 4 hours we walked (I walked 9 miles in total that day, probably 5 of those were for the sketching) around some amazing sites with people who really knew the area and we stopped for about 10 mins at a time to sketch (I had never heard of it-but will be back as there was SO much to see).

 It was really fast paced and totally out of my comfort zone but I loved every minute of it as it forced me to just get something down on paper.

This lighthouse has amazing views inside

 (http://www.trinitybuoywharf.com/about)

 and also houses the Longplayer http://longplayer.org/about/

Which is a 1000 year long musical composition!!!

 I have never seen anything like some of the exhibits and sculptures here.

We also walked to the Emirates Cable car and caught this (90 meters up in the sky!) across the river to the millennium dome.

 There was SO much to see and do this is only a small part of it.

If you are in the London area I recommend a trip there.

Kyla

 

Sketching in Tapas bars

 I have finally gotten round to getting some of the photos off my phone and realised I have not blogged the urban sketches I did whilst I was in Sitges, Spain.

Now I know this looks like a LOT of time was spent in Tapas bars, but....no I cannot lie-we did!  It was a great way to get out of the mid day sun.  Either inside in the cool or under an umbrella on the edge of the beach!  I could really get used to this life!  

To keep the weight down I only carried my sketchbook and pen with me and I usually add some colour when I am back at the ranch.

I am not too keen on sketching people but I find that in busy bars it is a bit easier as you are not noticed as much!

Kyla

Life drawing

Hello, I thought I would share some of the practice sketches I have been doing recently.

I don't really draw (never did art at school) but I borrowed a book from the library 

"Life Drawing" by Jake Spicer and decided I would have a play around.

I really like the way he explains the steps and techniques.  Nice and simple.

I only tried a couple of exercises using just a propeller pencil but I was reasonably pleased with the results (well, I could tell what they were meant to be so that is a good start)!

I managed to get another of his books, this time from a charity shop (I think they may have been on sale last year in shops like The Works so they are starting to appear in the charity shops now-result for me!).

Only a few sketches but I suppose we all have to start somewhere and I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed doing it.

Kyla