Sheffield Canal Basin 003a

My third version of the Canal Basin - Sheffield's Victoria Quays - this time looking south. It's almost there, hopefully finished today. Might take up narrow boat decoration in the future!

Ez's diary - walking with Gramps again

This time walking up Lowside Calver during the hot weather last week. Even closer to the pub!

Tuscany ready

Finished version of my post on 24 May. On the road from Florence and Siena. Art in the Gardens submission!

Ez's diary - walking with Gramps

That's me and our Ezra walking down High Street Calver in the general direction of the pub. 18 years time he'll be taller than me (and I'll be 88ish!)

Sheffield Canal Basin 003

Another work in progress. Canal Basin Sheffield looking towards the Nabarro Building. This will be mixed media from my "IYF" (in your face) colourist style and my third Canal Basin painting. The narrow boats are ripe for a bit of colourist's creations! I did a lot of detailed production drawings on the Nabarro building in my previous life as an architect working for Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson in the mid '90's at the end of the last recession. Thanks HCD.

Ez's diary - absent in Madeira 2

Another pen and watercolour sketch to explain the gap in our Ezra's diary - this fishing boat was parked on the slipway at Camara de Lobos, Madeira.

Tuscany

Another work in progress for Art in the Gardens submission day. This was one from our first visit to Tuscany last autumn and is between Florence and Siena. Lovely lush landscapes!

Ez's diary- absent in Madeira

There's going to be a gap in our Ezra's illustrated diary for the end of April to May so I thought I'd put in some explanatory sketches so he can see where we were at that time. This one is the initial pen sketch of Capelo Corpo Santo in Funchal Old Town Madeira - I'll paint it soon.

Supertram at Commercial Street, Sheffield

Started work on producing my artwork for submission for Art in the Gardens. Need to do at least 4 paintings by 13th June. This one will be in pen and watercolour.

Hotel Zone west of Funchal, Madeira

Last sketch from Madeira - the Hotel Zone west of Funchal drawn from another extended coffee stop - this time at the Café Quasbar . The Atlantic was swelling up as usual but not enough to stop a couple of intrepid swimmers in the foreground risking a quick dip. It was one of the few places around where you could walk down a (pebbly) beach into the ocean. Most people were sun-bathing. It's all too hot for me!

Camara de Lobos 002, Madeira

Another from Madeira. Back to Camara de Lobos via another sardine lunch next to the Atlantic at the Praia Formosa. This sketch from outside the Taberna dos Lobos over looking the boatyard and across from the Churchill restaurant terrace where, we were told, the man himself used sit and sketch - that's the building above the brow (pointed end) of the good ship Estrela do Mar.

Tree with Atlantic Ocean beyond

Another coffee time view from the Magic Café - looking south - there's a 100 foot drop down to the Atlantic beyond the tree and planting.

Capelo Corpo Santo, Funchal, Madeira

Capelo Corpo Santo on the east side of the Old Town, Funchal, Madeira. This lunchtime sketch turned into an afternoon sketch. Nice place to while away a bit of time!

Pestana Grand Hotel from the Magic Cafe

Yet another coffee time sketchette this time a view of the Pestana Grand Hotel from the Magic (on the) Rocks Café. The Atlantic below the cliffs on the left and the truly Magic Gardens behind us - don't miss a visit to this garden if you're ever in Madeira, there's an amazing range of ex'otic plants to be drawn/photographed.

Bank of Portugal, Funchal, Madeira

Coffee time sketchette at the Golden Gate Café on the Avenue Arriaga in the centre of Funchal, Madeira. The corner entrance to the Bank of Portugal caught my eye as well as the armed guard at the door!

Camara de Lobos, Madeira

My first sketch in Madeira. Camara de Lobos - about 90 minutes walk from our holiday apartment. It took a lot longer than that - we had a lunch of 4 grilled sardines at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean at Praia Formosa. It was perfection - sun, sand, sea and sardines! It wasn't the last time we passed that way - it was my favourite walk and destination.