memo

RBS will leave Scotland if voters back independence

RBS displays its allegiance today… #drawingthenews

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/11/rbs-will-leave-scotland-yes-vote

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!

Last days with the Wildhorses...

A gift I drew for my last employers - Wildhorse Design in Muswell Hill, London. As drawn from my seat over several lunch breaks during my last week there mid July. It was the least I could do for such a great bunch of people who got me a lovely leaving present, will miss those guys!

I guess I'm heavier than I think…

We've had a few nice days recently and one afternoon I was in the garden enjoying the sun, whilst leaning to pick up a drink, my chair completely self destructed underneath me. I didn't fall over thankfully but I have now ruined 1 of our 2 garden chairs. I was so inspired by the mess I drew it with pen and ink and some watercolour. I will be sitting on the lawn from now on!

Homeward bound

We are nearly back there now... finished work in London after 3 years down here. Now to sort the big move out! Looking forward to more of this view.

As painted whilst somewhere between Ely and Thetford on the train.

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!

Vintage cameras

I have grown rather attached to old cameras as of late and have acquired a few recently whilst looking in charity shops and vintage fairs... such beautiful objects with real weight and substance. Here is our collection so far, more to follow i'm sure and they do work so will use some at some point too!
Painted these one evening inspired by beetroot juice (what first one is painted in) rest done using watercolours.

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!

Long Live Southbank Anniversary Jam – Forty Years Later… 1 Year On

This weekend just gone I went along to this legendary skate spot to see the community jam to celebrate one year of the 'Long Live Southbank' campaign. It was a wonderful sunny day and the place was buzzing with hundreds of people seeing some great skateboarding and BMXing.

If you don't know of the campaign to save the Undercroft from redevelopment please see their website to learn more about the place and it's rich history: http://www.llsb.com/

I made these in-situ drawings during the day to capture the moment and met several people interested in what I was doing. The highlight being a Chinese chap who stood with me for at least 20 mins whilst I drew the skateboard graveyard from the Hungerford Bridge, he was fascinated by my detailed drawing of broken skateboards and said "you are beautiful" I think he was talking about the drawing however!

Broken skateboards on the skateboard graveyard

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!

Business cards

After nearly 10 years of having business cards with 'Graphic Designer' written on them, I made the step of getting some done with something else I do on them... I wasn't sure to have them all hand drawn or not, but i'm glad I did – anything to get away from choosing a typeface and staring at a computer for too long! I selected three illustrations that cover different subjects that I like to draw, so I feel they are a good representation of me and my style. Really happy with them - can't wait to give them out!

The neighbour's cats

Our garden here in Muswell Hill is visited by many cats. Over the last year or so we have got to know their personalities and the pecking order! They all seem to love our long grass garden.

At the top of the pile is Felix, a large ginger cat who roams the gardens seeing off any intruding cat. I have never hear him miaow - he just uses his bulk and attitude to scare other rivals! His partner in crime is Ashley, a grey grumpy tom cat who walks around with Felix, he is more vocal and sounds like he is talking gibberish when he gets angry. Next is Molly and Milly they are our neighbours two Dorset blues. They have very short hair, huge ears and long limbs. They enjoy chasing insects in the long grass and are quite keen tree climbers! Their nemesis is a mystery black and white female cat who regularly has stand offs in the garden with them and the bigger cats. She has also brought down a pigeon! The other three cats, a light ginger Felix look-a-like, a nice looking tabby and a white cat with a black spot are all passers by. I have been meaning to draw them all for a while - so here we are, in coloured paper and paint!

Mo Farah eighth in his London Marathon debut

The London marathon was inspiring stuff yesterday, great weather for it. Much respect to those who took part, especially our Mo!

Taking the tube home…

I've had a busy last few weeks hence the lack of posts on here, apologies for that. It's not that I haven't been drawing, because I have everyday. I will catch up with my posts this week and share some of the projects I have been working on, so watch this space!

The highlight of the Brits 2014

Goes to Pharrell's hat! Follow it here at: @pharrellhat

St Paul's Cathedral from Tate Modern

Had a wander at lunch today and decided to do a drawing of the view across the Thames from the Tate Modern. After 15-20mins of drawing alone I was suddenly surrounded by a group of Italian students who were looking over my shoulder. I asked one what she thought and she said "bellissimo!" after they took a few photos of my efforts I finished up and said goodbye - was an interesting experience!

Some old drawings from my sketchbooks

Recently whilst organising my bookshelves I rediscovered some old drawings in my old Art School sketchbooks, thought I would share on here and remind myself that I loved drawing long before I picked up a mouse and started a career in design. I have many happy memories of going out on drawing days in Norwich whilst at Norwich School of Art & Design doing my foundation. The two skylines were drawn from the Castle Mall gardens, where I used to skateboard at back when I was in my late teens. The crane on the the top drawing would be from the building of the Forum. The hand sketch is from the same book from 2000, how time flies!