Adapting a painting to fit the time....

Ages ago I did a series of paintings which included a mouse.  I kept some of the drawings and this particular drawing I adapted to give as a Christmas Card, by adding William to it.  The recipient was really pleased with the card.

Sunset - watercolour

Over on Paper, Paint, Pencils & Pens the Theme at the moment is Sunrise Sunset.  Thanks to Elaine Pang for the suggestion of this Theme and also for the use of her wonderful photograph.  I've made use of it and painted this watercolour...

I did video the process ~ although I didn't voice over ~ instead I have made a publication through Issuu explaining the steps.



and Issuu publication...

Our daughter was out riding today and sent us this pic....

.....thought it was too cute not to share.

Lack of subject

....but I still wanted to draw something.  Then I noticed my foot - so that's what I drew whilst

drinking my early morning cuppa!   Perhaps I'll draw the other foot tomorrow!

Surprisingly this sketch actually got me drawing today - a warm up sketch I guess, the rest of me just

needs to warm up now - Exercise bike here I come.

Candle light and donkeys

The Candle light evening at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth was on Friday evening. Lots of candles lighting the pathways and displays around the grounds leading the way to the Main Barn and the Carol Service.  So many people go to this event each year and I am one of the very lucky ones to see it and join in with the festivities.

In case some of you aren't aware,
The Donkey Sanctuary has it's main offices and farm in Sidmouth, Devon.


Although it was at night I got these photos of some of the displays plus....

(this was taken indoors in the Assisted Therapy Centre)

and around the grounds...

 this next photos was taken at a distance across a field where

the donkey emblem is outlined with candles...

This light display attracted a crowd of people taking pictures of it...

So pleased I went to this Carol Service this year and got to meet friends

plus enjoy the Service.

The Donkey Sanctuary are also on Facebook

Mini Travel Palette

I've made travel palettes before, but have just made this Mini one containing just three colours and thought I would share with you how I went about putting it together.....as if you wouldn't already guess, but still....here goes.

Whilst shopping last weekend in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, I found this cute little tin at

The Rowan Tree

well I couldn't leave it there could I, it was destined to hold three paint pans...

the tin measures 3" x 2½"

with a little work and some magnetic tape placed inside...

plus a little bit of magnetic tape on the bottom of the 3 pans

a piece of watercolour paper to fit inside the lid...

and another piece with the colour swatches on to remind me

what they are:

Quinacridome Gold ~ Prussian Blue ~ Alizarin Crimson

 As easy as that....

Is this what they mean by Sea Mist!

Appledore, Devon

A short drive yesterday and we visited Appledore.  On the River Torridge this small fishing village attracts a lot of visitor all year round...including locals!

I took a few photos - well actually quite a lot of pics and although I don't usually bombard you with loads of pics I thought this visit was worth sharing.....so sit back and I'll show you some of this place with its estuary view, small streets (cars cannot get through the little streets), so it has a lovely atmosphere (although I think moving house would be a total nightmare!)

See what I mean about the tiny streets!

The chandlery shop...

If these streets aren't quirky enough, I found the even quirkier....

 

with it's false windows!

I think this should have been called Duck Lane instead of Gibbs Lane!!

 this was a very short door!

 and on round to the esplanade and sea

on the right you'll see someone using a cement mixer!

....the cement mixer was actually used for cleaning the shell fish he had caught!

the local Gig club had been training and we saw them bringing their boats out of the water...

and on across the road to their shed

 This must be the smallest fish and chip shop!...no not really, it was

just advertising...

boat parking instead of car parking!

  looking across the river to Instow

the view looking down the river towards Appledore Shipyard

there was a news piece about it yesterday too....

We enjoyed our walk around Appledore...

I hope you enjoyed this visit too.

Pottery piece

I found this broken piece of pottery earlier in the year and now - Eventually - I have got around to drawing it and posting some pics.  Just thought I'd share this oddment with you.  I've no idea what it would have been originally, possibly a vase?....but the pattern is very pretty and the piece itself is fairly chunky... it isn't fine bone china put it that way.

A few jottings

Although I take photos of William, there are times when I need to make a quick note/reminder of something he has done throughout the day...for this I use my sketchbook or, if we are out and about, I often use scraps of paper, they're enough to remind me and give myself a 'brain nudge' as to what I needed to sketch later on.

Occasionally I will have time to add watercolour too, but it is still only a 'note' to remind myself.

you'd never guess who this is - would you?