Ipswich Docks, from Holywells Park

Ipswich Docks, from Holywells park
Oil on canvas 10 x 14"

Its pretty cold out there out at the moment, but once you get painting, its amazing how much colour there is, even at this time of year - these are the cranes at Ipswich docks. The park has a strange overgrown quality, which I have tried to capture.

Seated Nude

Seated Nude
Oil on canvas 22 x 16"

I returned to my old life drawing group this week, up at Asylum Studios near Woodbridge. It has been a while, but I really enjoyed it. I forgot how much a day of drawing can take it out of you, but it was great fun! and as challenging as ever!

Holywells Park

Tonal Studies -Holywells Park

Some quick tonal studies today. Intresting how different media suits different subjects, in this case, a blunt graphite stick. Its great for simplifying tones and capturing the essence of a scene, the detail in these trees goes on for ever, so simplification is essential!

PGCE Graduation

Graduatuion Day

Had good fun at my graduation yesterday. Had all the gear on and finally picked up my teaching qualification! My folks were there and it was a really nice ceremony....Keeping up with my reportage drawing, I managed this quick sketch whilst waiting to be called up!
Went to pub afterwards and had a good time catching up with my fellow PGCE'rs!....was a bit the worse for ware this morning....but It was great fun!

Christchurch Park

Quick studies in Christchurch Park.
Ink

Nippy today, still found a bench on my way into town and drew these. The church is St.Margrets overlooking the green in front of Christchurch Mansion.

The former Bull Inn

Ink

The former Bull Inn, a timber framed tudor house with an early 19c front.

Ipswich docks has lots of these old buildings dotted around. Most have been converted for commercial use. I have walked past this building many times, yet it was only in the act of drawing it that I really saw it. I then read the little sign and found out it used to be a pub. You can only specualte what might have gone on within those walls over the years!

Ipswich Waterfront

Ipswich Waterfront
Ink

This area has been transformed in recent years. The building in the middle is UCS the new university in Ipswich. I studied their last year when I compleated my PGCE to teach art and design.

Ipswich Town Centre

Sitting on the steps

Talking to the Police

The Corn Exchange

Quick studies - people walking across the square

Quick studies

Last night I discovered Reportage Illustration, it is described here by Veronica Lawlor. Through this chance discovery I found some amazing artists working from direct observation. I found this really insperational, so went out this morning to draw in Ipswich town center, this is what I produced.

Sunflowers in the garden

Autum Sunflowers
Pen & Pencil - A4

This is a sketch from my folks garden, the sunflowers are still out at this time of year! Must be all that seed from the bird feeders.

Fore Street

Fore Street, Ipswich
Pen & Wash - A4

These old buildings are located near the docks in Ipswich. Many were owned by Merchants when Ipswich was a busy port. Due the the subsidence these buildings have very unusual angles that contradict normal perspective, I have tried to convey this in the sketch.

Walberswick Church

Walberswick Church

Oil on canvas - 26x39"

Field by the Orwell

Field by the Orwell

Oil on canvas 22x16"

River Orwell evening

Evening by the Orwell

Oil on Board

Sunset on the Stour

Sunset on the Stour

Oil on canvas 12 x 16"

Foxes Marina

Foxes Marina

Oil on canvas 14 x 10"