Trip to Bookham Village

I need to get out of the house today so decided to go to Bookham (Surrey) because there is a delightful little clothes boutique there called the Sweet Pea.  What I didn't know was that it is closed on Wednesdays (sigh).  However, they also have the Patchwork Cabin which is a must visit and a another charming little sewing shop called Granary Crafts which is in a little cottage covered in ivy (picture from phone):

Then it was on to Mimi's Teas and Gifts and a wonderful piece of cake and tea.  I settled in here for a while to do another sketch for my online course.  One of the signs to buy on the wall was 'Scatter Kindness' and I thought that was lovely so I added it to my drawing.

Oh and I stopped by a shoe shop which I thought would be too conservative for me but they stock some great German make shoes that are so comfy and I ended up buying a little off-white pair.  Also stopped in at the little charity shop and bought a large format puzzle for Mom - £1 - a real find.  Finally I bought a little fabric bag for my drawing/watercolour bits and bobs from The Grange shop which supports people with disabilities to become independent.

All-in-all, a very successful morning!

Drawing in Ripley

Our latest drawing assignment was to find a little cafe somewhere and draw our plates/cups/surroundings and I had the perfect place in mind....

Ripley Village in Surrey is one of my favourite places and especially now that a little cafe/shop has opened called the Nest which, if heaven was to open one, this would be it.  The attention to detail is wonderful - down to the little house door stopper and the fabulous array of eclectic teapots that they serve you tea in.  I really didn't take enough photographs and have not done it justice.  You will just have to go along yourself to feel the tranquility and delicacy of the place.

Finished...

Finished my first assignment.  Next one to have more of a journal quality if I can - something I'm not good with.

Signed up for an Online Course...

I'm so busy at the moment that I can't believe I signed up for an online drawing and watercolour course with Jane LaFazio.  Actually I know why.  If I don't commit myself to doing a course I won't get any drawing and painting done - it always goes to the bottom of the heap!  So I've done the drawing for my first assignment now I have to find the time to do the painting!

And guess what, I took off some keys because there were too many on the keyring to draw and then I rushed out of the house to make supper for Mom last night and when I got back - oh hell, I've locked myself out.  My husband thought it was hilarious.  Fortunately he was on the train home and I only had to wait half an hour.

From Techie to Artist

In my short life as an 'artist' (I'm not sure when one is entitled to call oneself an artist!), I have realised that even if the work one does is mostly computer based, much of the best work I have seen starts off as a drawing or painting which was scanned in and manipulated.  It seems to make it more arty.

So, I decided that it was important to learn how to draw and that painting would help me to learn how to mix and combine colours.  My first foray into watercolours was in March this year when I did an online course.  I think these online courses are a great start for a beginner.  I felt as if I was chucked straight into the deep end but actually it forced me out of my comfort zone and it forced me to produce work constantly for 6 weeks.  I learnt alot not just from having to do it myself but also from looking at what everybody else had done which was inspirational.

I discovered recently that a well-known watercolour artist, Jill Bays, lives just 15 minutes away from me and gives watercolour classes twice a week.  Unfortunately her classes clash with my golf days but I am able to go now and then and I find the classes restful and meditative.

I still can't get myself to put down enough paint and she is constantly saying to me 'more colour, darker, Ann, darker'.  What is wonderful is that she does the same painting as we do and when I am half way through, I am pretty pleased with what I have done and then go over to see what she has done and realise how it REALLY should be done (sigh)!

So here is today's attempt.  It is not finished yet - still got the background and shadows to do.  Will I finish it?  Actually I quite like the unfinished look.