One Sketch 275) Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man (3/4 of a year completed!)

Angels on Christmas Day
That's plain to see
Expecting originality?
Not from me.

Yes, yesterday by the way I hadn't quite worked out that I was just over 3/4 of the way through the year, which is why I've made the point today. If you've joined me at any time during the previous 9 months, can I wiash you a very merry Christmas, and thank you for your company.

One Sketch 274) Fireplace and Stockings

It's the day before Christmas
- ah, dear, what a pity
I hate having guests
Coz it makes me feel dismal

You know what I really meant, dearly beloved. I'm a pretty good guest, but a rubbish host. Which is awkward, because our Christmas guests - staying with us for more than a flipping fortnight, are great hosts but lousy guests. Merry Christmas.

One Sketch 273) Alice and the Red Queen

Alice has recently been

Playing at chess in this scene

She can't be ignored

But moves up the board

Promoting herself to a queen

Yeah, I'll be honest, I didn't really fancy the prompt on Sketching Every Day today. Every few days we get a featured artist, and I'm afraid that without wanting to be rude, today's featured artist doesn't do anything for me, and I've no interest in trying to copy her artwork. So when in doubt I return to one of my old faves, the great Sir John Tenniel. This is copied from one of the original illustrations for Alice Through the Looking Glass

One Sketch 272) Elf myselfie

Santa's little helper
Ain't so flippin'
Little

You'd like an explanation, perchance? Today's prompt on Sketching Every Day was to sketch yourself as an Elf or Fairy. Tempted to go fairy, but decided on elf in the end.

One Sketch 271) Winter Solstice

Ring out solstice bells
Ring all night
And tonight
Is the longest night of all.
- Bet your arms get tired.

The prompt today was, understandably , winter solstice. My immediate thought was the Jethro Tull song, Ring out, solstice bells, and so I did my best to copy the artwork on one release of the song.

One Sketch 270) (Thursday 20th December) Franz Marc

Horse stamp explosive Earth
Which shatters
then re-forms

On Sketching every day, several times a month the prompt is a featured artist. Yesterday was German artist Franz Marc, killed in the 1916 Battle of Verdun. I will be honest, this early 20th century expressionist style isn't usually my cup of tea, but I look at this, and it looks far more modern than it is - you can certainly see the influence Marc and others had on the development of graphic art throughout the 20th century. This is a copy of a woodcut.

One Sketch 269) (Wednesday 19th December)I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Rockwell

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
I wouldn't really mind
But Daddy has been in the nick
- Serving five years' time

That's not very seasonal is it? Sorry. Yesterday's prompt on Sketching Every Day was to depict a holiday song, and I recalled seeing the Rockwell picture which this one tries to copy. Bearing in mind my experience of a couple of days ago I made this one into a card just in case the need should arise during the next day or two.