So - its 5 weeks since I started the part time MA in Children's Book Illustration in Cambridge.. lots of commuting around the M25 and meeting wonderful new people. Every week I come home inspired, tired and so pleased I decided to do this course. The first module is 12 weeks of observational drawing - back to basics! My theme, naturally is the New Forest, its inhabitants and life within it's boundaries. The Forest still feels like it exists in a time warp.. here is an on site sketch I made today of Tibor Epijessy a leathercraft artisan and friend,  working in his studio, just up the hill from me.. right in the Forest.
This was sketched directly onto the paper using sepia ink and a paintbrush.

Recent sketches around Salisbury and Edinburgh

I love nothing better than sitting in a good cafe, coffee to hand... and sketchbook out.. observing the other people. This little girl was running about all over the place while  her mother tried to  chat with a friend..
The baby below was protesting at being put in her stroller... just as my daughter use to! Those stiff little legs sturdy in their fight!

Mr cool with his dark glasses on was sitting on a bench people watching, unaware I was watching him from the cafe!

Scottish holiday sketches

The  various views from our cottage.. had to draw quickly as the midges were about!

Edinburgh Book Festival

The Edinburgh Book Festival      http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/visiting-the-festival
A feast of goodies today when I spent ages in the children's book  tent - so many wonderful picture books to look at. Bought some books by Polly Dunbar - who does the most delightful illustrations.



Missed  the illustrator Shaun Tan  giving a talk about his work... the que was really long!

Sketched a bit in one of the cafes, always a bit tricky but I have a tiny sketchbook and a big bag to hide it behind!

Well here I am in Edinburgh - a beautiful vibrant city and full of many events for the festival. Whilst ambling around today I saw a poster about illustration and found this wonderful exhibtion - Take Five Illustrators
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson/exhibitions/take-five-illustrators/events-23392#.UDKiRKPN6Sq

Not only that, but the gallery is running a  master class  with famous french children's book illustrator Barroux - so on a whim I am all booked onto that this week.
I really love it when things happen spontaneously - it's been one of those days.. but will I let on I have illustrated children's books at  the master class? Tempted not to!
Here is some of Barroux illustrations - I really like the fact that he states he works traditionally using pencil, paints and printing because it is fascinating to wonder at the process - how he got there and how he makes the mediums work together.

 .

Silly cat

A doodle of my cat Misha - he always looks perplexed!

New Forest donkeys

Some sketches of local residents - I often pass them on my daily walk, here in the beautiful New Forest.