A sketchbook sketch, taken out of the sketchbook. I was struggling with the complexity of the scene but I used a combination of ‘blind’ contour drawing and using a slightly blunter pencil than usual. It seemed to work.
Tag Archives: Line drawing
Work in Progress
I’m sure I’m not meant to be doing it like this. I just love drawing people (and things) doing stuff, in different poses, with different expressions… I reckon I’d have made a good old-style animator. You know, back in the day when they animated page by page and line-tested everything first. I say I shouldn’t beContinue reading “Work in Progress”
A Hairy Bean with Dreadlocks
I’ve not blogged for a while. This is mainly due to starting a new teaching job, which I am very much enjoying but is taking a fair bit of my time. I also have a fair few other self-employed jobs which I am also trying to find time for – so poor old Grotsby-Snot frequently getsContinue reading “A Hairy Bean with Dreadlocks”
Sketchbook: Alpacas and a Caravan
A few recent sketches from the Shottisham Campsite in Suffolk. It’s a lovely place to stay. You can see alpacas for a start, but also chickens and a vintage caravan or two – amongst much else. The campsite owners run a smallholding and here you can read the very excellent blog about their exploits managing a smallholding and campsite. You’llContinue reading “Sketchbook: Alpacas and a Caravan”
Babies: Spot the difference
Basically this is the same drawing rendered very slightly differently each time. This is the finicky kind of detail that illustrators spend hours obsessing about. I feel line drawing, in the context of book illustration anyway, is a bit unfashionable at the moment. Unfortunately it’s my strength. Well, not unfortunately; I love line and I am not preparedContinue reading “Babies: Spot the difference”
Sketchbook: Little Chimney Houses
From our apartment in Bologna I could see rooftops. Well, mainly one rooftop. I noticed, not immediately, this delightful way of making the chimneys. Perhaps it is a peculiarly Bolognese thing, I don’t know. Presumably it was done to prevent birds nesting on top of the chimney – except they look rather like inviting little housesContinue reading “Sketchbook: Little Chimney Houses”
Colouring-in
Experiments with using Photoshop to colour some older drawings. I really like this technique and I’m super-happy I’ve discovered it. I use a computer-pen directly on a monitor to colour, and I use the colour rather like an ink wash – but a lot less messy and easier to do it again if you don’tContinue reading “Colouring-in”
Jan 2014
At the ‘New Business Venture/Start Up’ training days in Greys, Essex. ‘After-Christmas’ gathering at my Aunty’s. Sam on the sofa with my iPad Alex playing the WiiU that Santa kindly gave us…
“What is time?”
So, whilst walking to school on Friday, trying to get there on time, unflustered, not too cold, without stepping on dog poo, dropping anything, forgetting anything or having any major tantrums, whilst simultaneously answering questions such as “Mummy what is time?”, “Why do we get older?”, or “what is for school dinners today?” Alex suddenlyContinue reading ““What is time?””
Natalie Eldred 