Ian Fennelly

This is a bit of a long and not all that interesting story, but I'm going to tell it anyway. You know about Sketching Every Day, yes? Well, one of the things that I do tend to do is to check out the prompts which are coming up for the next few days. Four times a month of so we have a different featured artist. You can take the prompt however you like. You can copy one of their works, or make your own work in the same style, or make a portrait of the artist, whatever. Coming up on the 29th December we have Ian Fennelly. I didn't know his work before, but he is simply the most brilliant urban sketcher.

Now, you may recall in the past I have explained how unhappy I am with my lack of ability to use watercolour effectively when making an urban sketch. So it came to mind that, since I'm going to be making an Ian Fennelly copy, or at the very least an Ian Fennelly inspired sketch, I could try to copy what he did in an urban sketch which I love, and hope to learn something in the process. Have I learned anything? Well, maybe, although I think it's the sort of thing which is going to take more than just the one lesson before it is going to sink in. Still, I'm very pleased with what I've made today. This is a copy of one of Ian Fennelly's pictures of the Eastgate in the city of Chester. And no, it is NOWHERE near as good as the original. The main thing is it's miles better than anything I would have come up with by myself. Looking dispassionately, I think you can see that I'm still being too timid with colour, and this is something to take forward into the next attempt.

One Sketch 277) Continuous line Love Bug

One thing I'd like to ask my friends -
Can you see where this one line starts
Or where it ends?

Yes, something different today. This is a challenge which recurs relatively often on Sketching Every Day - the continuous line. Basically it does exactly what it says on the tin - you draw whatever it is you are drawing without taking your pen off the paper in one continuous line. So I'm quite pleased with this, even if it is a little bit out of proportion, with the back about right but the front too squashed up.

One Sketch 276) (Weds 26th December) Ledger Art

Big chief sits so silently, wow
While the sun beats unmercifully now
His horse bows his head
While the only thing said
A one syllable question - how?

OK, up to a couple of days ago I knew nothing about ledger art. Then it was given as the Boxing Day prompt on Sketching Every Day. To quote Wikipedia -"Ledger art is a term for Plains Indian narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth. Ledger art flourished primarily from the 1860s to the 1920s. A revival of ledger art began in the 1960s and 1970s. The term comes from the accounting ledger books that were a common source of paper for Plains Indians during the late 19th century." I rather enjoyed the challenge of making this one. First I found a page from a vintage manuscript, copied it, and printed out a page. Onto this I used a 0.5mm ink sketching pen to copy elements from two very modern ledger art designs which I found. The painting in was done using watercolour pencils. 

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.