A Christmas Gift or Special Occasion?

Are you looking for something different for a Christmas present?  Why not challenge me to produce a cartoon for you?

Do you have a family story which could be illustrated?

Let me know and I'll produce a cartoon for you. I use watercolour and the images fit within a normal A4 frame.

Here is an example of my work plus a recommendation.

 

I'm dead chuffed that I managed to keep quiet beforehand (it was a struggle). And, when he saw it, Husband was also dead chuffed. It's not often I've managed to give him a complete surprise or something that's unique. At least, not something he's liked. Helen Gazeley read the full review here

Afternoon Stroll through Boscastle

Afternoon Stroll though Boscastle is inspired by our holiday to Cornwall. We were walking back towards the town from the docks and having come out from the National Trust information centre the sun made a last desperate attempt to pick put the buildings on the opposite side of the river.

This watercolour painting (400mm by 300mm in a light oak frame) is for sale £110.

Blue Fisherman

 Blue Fisherman is inspired by a trip Boscastle, Cornwall. The harbour was busy with boats and there were people fishing from the banks. Although the sun was out there was a harsh wind cutting though the valley.

This watercolour painting is for sale £110.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Lazy Sunday Afternoon is inspired by our holiday to the Isle of Wight where we spent a lot of time on the beach near Applby Park in Ryde. There were rows of beach huts along the seafront and people sat outside them

This painting  (watercolour 400mm by 300mm in a white frame) is for sale £110 Please contact me if you are interested in this image.

Lollies and hats

Having a sketch book is a liberating experience in my opinion. You can sketch anything without having to worry about spoiling expensive papers. In the next 2 sketches I have attempted to create portraits of Sam and my mum at Woodcote steam rally.

 

The final sketch with all the finished detail. From the initial painting below I have looked to create impact by strengthening the light and dark passages.i have added darker tones next to the highlights and added detail to the shadow areas. This helps to enhance the contrast an drake the image appear to have depth.

Initial washes to establish main colours and tones.

While this sketch is not an accurate representation of my mum it has given me some valuable information that I can use to create a painting in the future.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Pimms at Woodcote Steam Rally

What's better than a pimms on a hot summer day? A pimms served from a converted mini van.

Initial wash of watercolour.

The original pen sketch.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Parrots and bouncy castles at Woodcote Steam Rally

The parrot man is the UK's only travelling parrot show. I forgot to make a note of his website but he was very entertaining, especially when his untrained parrot bit him. On a more serious note the parrot man owns a parrot sanctuary where he re-homes birds. He goes round schools and entertains the children.

So with an airshow, classic cars, traction engines and the parrot man, what did Samuel like the most at Woodcote steam rally? The bouncy castle.

There were 2 bouncy castles and for a few quid you got 15 minutes but a notice quite clearly said that everyone must pay with no exceptions. I over heard one parent say, 'I'm not paying 3 quid to get my son off of that and the bloke knows it, he's on to a good thing.'

Samel enjoyed the bouncy castles and it did prove difficult to get his attention to get him off. And no I didn't pay. I waited patiently for half an hour. The I bribed him with an ice cream.

 

Posted with Blogsy