The Election 2015

I spent some time today visiting local polling stations to capture some of the election action close to home. Along the way I bumped into the Labour representative for my area and mistook him for another party – whoops! There was a steady flow of people and the great weather helped the turn out I should imagine. I then did some more sketches when I cast my vote later this evening. We will see what tomorrow brings, either way I look forward to not having election campaign news on TV anymore!

Record Store Day at Soundclash, Norwich

Being a fan of vinyl and 6 music I was well aware of record store day this year, and I wanted to try and capture the excitement. So I headed down to Soundclash in Norwich, where there were people queuing from around 2:30am. The queue was rather impressive at 9am when I drew the below. Once inside the remaining rare specially released albums and singles were being snapped up. Great atmosphere and I chatted to some happy vinyl fans, roll on next year! For more information on Record Store Day visit: www.recordstoreday.co.uk

A proper cup of coffee...

Had a really nice cup of coffee earlier today at The Little Red Roaster in Norwich. This place has a good reputation and thought I would give it a go, wasn't disappointed :-)

Seasons change…

Same tree sketched at three different times from October – November 2014.

A trip down memory lane…

Went for a drive today back to where I grew up as I had to take my car for a check over in Hingham. After catching up with a few friends there I went through the little village I grew up in and then stopped in Attleborough – my old stomping ground whilst a teenager and into my 20s. Nice to be there again. Browsed a few charity shops, walked past familiar faces and paused for a bite to eat in a little cafe. Must visit again with more time, to capture some of the places I know so well – watch this space!

View overlooking Queen's Square from Bailey's cafe, Attleborough. The chap seated is the local window cleaner.

Working 9 till half 5…

My new place of work.

We've moved…

I am now once again a resident of Norwich, Norfolk. After 3 years of London life, we have returned home. Goodbye to packed tubes and expense, hello green fields and friendly faces. Here is our new house I drew whilst locked out one evening!

Good Parenting?

Whilst getting the tube into the city on Sunday I sat opposite this pair. The mum spent the entire journey on her smartphone whilst the little boy looked very fed up. Guess organising her inbox couldn't wait!

Norwich Lanes

The Birdcage and the Grosvenor Fish Bar, Norwich. As drawn whilst sitting on a bench after an interview Thursday 5th June in a brand new hot pressed sketchbook from Norwich Arts Supplies.

The interior of the very cool The Birdcage pub on Saturday 14th June, drawn whilst enjoying a coffee and a conversation with local photographer Mick – as pictured at the bar.

1st class train journey

We have just returned from another weekend back in Norfolk (sketches to follow!) and during our train back to London we had to change at Colchester. Being 1st class ticket holders I was looking forward to a comfortable last leg of the journey... but oh no! Some sort of mix-up as there was far too many people to even fit on the train, so we were crammed in with all our luggage but at least we got a seat! To document the occasion I did this drawing, the two chaps opposite me didn't seem bothered with me drawing them, think they were too angry with Greater Anglia than to be bothered by a odd chap with his watercolour set out!

Dabbling in Watercolour

I've had a travel watercolour set for a while now but always been a bit unsure how to work with it, but after meeting fellow urban sketcher Lion Ren he really inspired me to get a decent waterbrush and start adding colour to my work. So here are some of my first pieces so far. Back at school I could never really get watercolours and went straight to oils but I now really appreciate them for the sheer speed and versatility. I will continue to experiment and see how I get on!

A walk to the garden centre

Really sunny today, so we took a walk to the nearby Alexandra Palace garden centre for a cup of tea on their roof terrace. We soaked up lots of sun whilst a nearby old couple fell asleep and birds circled us looking for crumbs!