Some of my blog posts are planned in advance and other just happen.
Yesterday I went to my local library to collect a book I had on reserve. I came home with four books, three magazines, four plant cuttings and two bees.
It is these last objects that my blog is about today.
My local East Melbourne Library (part of Melbourne Library Service) has a community garden out the back, (including a beehive). It was created by locals with help from a City of Melbourne grant for locals to enjoy. It was started a few years ago and was not touched over the past year while we were all in lockdown in Melbourne. Now we are gradually opening up some enthusiastic volunteers gave it a well-deserved cleanup and hard trim.
As soon as I had the idea I started to visualise how I could see the plants across two pages of my sketchbook. I picked the plants, found the bees caught up in spidersweb, and did a quick sketch on the page to see where I wanted to place each plant.
I carried my precious cargo home and quickly started drawing them, as the plants wilted quickly in front of me. I have kept the bees and added them to my collections of bugs, feathers, and nests.
It was not what I had planned for the afternoon, but I felt the need to document it and am pleased with the result. I could have spent a lot more time on this page, but have decided to leave it as is.
Below are some of my previous pickings
and here are the books I borrowed
English Pastoral by James Rebanks
three Country Life magazines (UK)
The Button Box : the story of women in the 20th Century told through the clothes they wore
We‘re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you. You can come too, too, too. We‘re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo …
Baboons
This past week I spent a day at Melbourne Zoo with Kaz, a sketching friend. We were there from 9.00 til 4.30 and sketched all day, with a short break for lunch. Kaz is a regular zoo visitor and knew the layout and where the animals were.
I had an A4 watercolour sketchbook (bigger than my usual Moleskine 13cm x 19 cm watercolour sketchbook) and my usual watercolour pencils. I had also chosen some charcoal and graphite pencils. I was keen on doing some larger loose sketching.
Animals probably won’t stay still , or then again they might. We decided to stay and sketch if the animal was there and stayed and move on when it did. This approach seemed to work. The kangaroos were close to the fence and did not move at all. There were about six or more of them. Two emus would come and go and I would try to capture them quickly when they were close.
This Black Swan was preening and cleaning itself, feather by feather, standing up in some shallow water. I was on a walkway looking down and could see the glorious feathers. All of the wing feathers were ruffled, like flowers or fabric. Every now and then it would rise up and spread its wings to dry.
Below are some photos from my close encounter with a Red Tailed Black Cockatoo. We had been sketching and watching him for a while in the bird enclosure. Kaz was talking to him as he sat in the tree just above us and said “come down” and he did. It flew down and sat on the rail in front of me and started nibbling and turning the pages in my sketchbook. An amazing experience.
sketching up close and personal . Keeping a close eye on his beak.
We spent a long time at some of the enclosures and probably saw about one third of the zoo. It was wonderful opportunity to observe.
These are only a few of the 32 pages of sketches I did on the day. See them all in my Melbourne Zoo Flickr Album. Some sketches are a few lines on the page, not always capturing the essence. It was a wonderful motivating day. I felt very pleased with my achievement and immediately wanted to go back. I am considering Zoo membership so that I can come and go for shorter amounts of time and don’t feel the need to commit to a whole day.
If you can’t get to a zoo or animals , I have been told about this live webcam site for animals EXplore
I have had one of my watercolour pencil drawings of an “open book” printed on a greeting card and available on my ETSY store for purchase. It is one in my “old books” series.
I have started to use these cards myself to send to people and adding extra to them, by drawing on the card. I hope to encourage others to purchase one and do this too. So I have been thinking about the many ways that it could be customised or personalised.
Some other ideas I have had include
streamers
butterflies
flowers
stars
words or letters or numbers
rainbow
hearts
balloons
Christmas themed
Here is one I have been experimenting on today. I will probably reposition the butterflies a bit, so they are flying out of the book and maybe change their size.
I was given two miniature bottles of drinks recently. They each contain enough for one drink. You can see the size of them compared to the size of my hand and watercolour pencil drawing them. I don’t drink spirits, so I decided to make it a bit of an event. And the bottles are so cute.
Vodka Expresso Martini
One was a Vodka Expresso Martini made by Melbourne Martini – a premixed drink that came in a glass jar. Vodka and drip filter coffee. The instruction was to put it in the fridge, shake it, drink it. Of course, I had to drink it from a Martini glass. I couldn’t find one in my local op-shop. so one ordered online. IKEA $4 plus postage, which cost more than the glass. It arrived in such a big box that I had to sketch it. !
And the event. Drawing it was such fun. It tasted quite good with quite a kick! However, I will stick to wine and prosecco. But I do have a martini glass in my cupboard now.
Ink Gin
Ink Gin is the name of the New South Wales company that makes this drink. It is gin, “… made from botanicals but has an added ingredient. The deep violet colour is butterfly pea flower petals, an exotic flower from Thailand, which is infused into the gin after distillation. Normally used in herbal tea, the petals are highly sensitive to pH, causing the gin to change from blue to blush pink when combined with acidic mixers like tonic water, lemon or lime.”
So I drew it before and then after adding the tonic water.
The fun was in the event and the drawing and not the alcohol. (I won’t be trying sprits in a rush again).
I have started the New Year with a project to get my teeth into. As you are probably aware, I draw in old books that about to be discarded – the books no one wants at op shops ! They are either free or under $5.
I have a lovely stock of these at home, which I bought a year ago, (before our 9 month lockdown) and have recently been given some more. I usually read or browse through the a book, sometimes two or three times, noting pages that have potential. I will narrow it down to one or two which mentions or describes something that I can illustrate with my watercolour pencils. I then search on the internet for copyright free images to use on the page. I often have visualised a concept in my mind and try and locate an image that matches that. I am not always successful and sometimes need to change ideas.
Below are some of my recent “drawn in books” and a few current projects. All are or will be available on my ETSY online store for purchase. The postage rate is set for Australia, but please contact me and I will find out what the International country rates would be. At the moment postage is unpredictable and there is no guarantee how long a parcel will take to arrive.
These three drawn in books have just been added to my ETSY online store. Did you grow up reading these? I only know “Timmy” as a black and white border collie in the 1970’3 TV series, but not in the original book.
Timmy a ” large, brown mongrel” in Famous Five (1967)
Scamper a “golden spaniel” in Secret Seven (1957)
Snap a ‘big , shaggy white dog’ in The Bobbsey Twins (1955)
I am currently working in three books. I usually have two or three going at the one time, so that I can move between. One book will often sit for a few days and I will leave it open to the page, and walk past, think how it could be improved. Usually, this involves adding more colour to one area.
This Motoring: Being the romantic story of the Automobile Association by Stephen Cooke Published by the Automobile Association in 1931 268 pages
This is about 80% complete. Some more details need to be added. Finding an image to inspire me to draw was not as easy as I thought it would be. It is a book about the founding and growth of the Automobile Association in the UK up to 1931. I assumed there would be a lot of references to cars, but there wasn’t. However this early page explained the history of motoring. The famous annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run commemorates the 1896 “Emancipation Run” as a celebration of the then recently passed Locomotives on Highways Act 1896, which increased the speed limit to 14 mph (23 km/h). The Act also abolished the requirement for the cars to be preceded by a man on foot with a red flag. The Annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is open to vehicles built before 1905. The 1953 comedy movie Genevieve is set during one of these runs.
Sheet Music
James Hook Sonata in G for Descant Recorder (or Treble Pipe or Violin) and Pianoforte(Bergman) Published by Schott & Co, Ltd. In 1948 12 pages. The recorder, which many of us may associate with primary school music lessons, actually has a long history. I discovered this in my research.
Report of the Botanical Section for the Year 1936 By Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society in 1936 6 pages
I have only just started this one. This pamphlet lists grasses, small flowers, and lichen by botanical name. I looked them all up online and none of them were very dramatic to draw. However,Chanterelle mushrooms are mentioned in the text and they are very colourful.
I hope that this provides some insight into my process and way of thinking.
I have another shelf full (or two) of books with potential to draw in. Many hours of fun!
I write a blog post at this time each year looking back at what I have done during the year with my art. I have found this is a very useful way of realising how much I have accomplished in a year, as I usually forget about some events or do not realise how many classes I have run etc. It is a good reality check for me. ( I have done this in 2019 2018, 2017 as well as 20142015 & 2016 )
This year of course is different, as with everyone. My carefully planned year, and all its exciting events were cancelled. I have been working from home (in my daytime work) since March when Melbourne went into lockdown. Restrictions have only recently been eased, however, there is still a long way to go back to normal. This new way of life did not stop me from sketching and achieving other art-related goals. I have put links to separate blog posts if there is one.
Daily sketching. This year again I filled eight Moleskine watercolour sketchbooks (13 x19 cm) of everyday sketching. I scan every page of my sketchbook and put them all on Flickr (an image sharing website) Some go onto Facebook at Alissa Duke Art , some on Instagram alissaduke1. I thought that I would have less than last year, as I had not attended as many events and this is when I often fill many pages. However, it is the same as last year. I did sketch a lot in the gardens this year in my allowed exercise and recreation time, sometimes over multiple pages.
Two watercolour pencil sketching classes in February before everything closed down. Nature sketching and travel sketching,
I have maintained my weekly art blog. Thank you to the 148 followers of this weekly art blog. I hope that you find it enjoyable and interesting to read and full of information. I hope that I am able to share a bit of my passion for drawing and watercolour pencils. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like me to explain anything I do. I still hope to be able to produce a video one day, (but that is in the too hard basket again. I say this every year). If you don’t already, you can subscribe to my blog to receive it via email.
Etsy Sales – I have an Etsy online store selling my Greeting cards and ‘drawn in books’. This year was very quiet for card sales.
Newsletter. I sent two newsletters this year to the 127 people who subscribe to my newsletter, in April and October. The newsletter is for people who are interested in my art and would like to know when major events happen – new card designs, markets, exhibitions, and classes. They may not necessarily be interested in my Weekly Art Blog, but still want to be updated. Obviously a little quiet this year. This will be one of the places I announce any classes when they begin.
Instagram. I now have 1548 followers on Instagram alissaduke1. I post an image daily on Instagram, They are examples of sketching every day, and hopefully, inspire some sketchers.
2020 – Here are my projects and commercial activities. (paying for my pencils) This year is a little different. I did have a few one-off art events
Blarney Books & Art Biblio Art Prize. This annual Port Fairy (Victoria, Australia) event was held. When you enter the competition you get given a book title to interpret artistically. This year the books were by recently published Australian Authors. I entered and was given The Silence by Susan Allott. I drew on the pages the mentioned cigarettes and alcohol, which seemed to feature in the lives of the characters. The creativity and skill of the other entries were amazing and it is worth spending time looking through them at the Finalists Exhibition online.
Athenauem Library Art Group. I had previously arranged to hold a Watercolour Pencil sketching class with the Athenaeum Library Art Group. I was contacted to do this as an Online session, I had decided very early on not to do online classes, so I turned the class into a Zoom presentation. I created a slide show that I presented with examples of watercolour sketching and the types of mark marking that can be achieved with those wonderful watercolour pencils. I am really looking forward to seeing them all and continuing this in person.
I entered a Melbourne art challenge by gallery Art Aviso. Artists were supplied with a page of Newnes’ Pictorial Knowledge 1950’s Encyclopedia (Edited by Enid Blyton), which formed the basis of an artwork to be exhibited at some time on the other side of the Pandemic.Volume 6: What Master minds have done for the good of Man: How this book was built
Photobox. One of the BIG events of my year, the annual Clunes Booktown Festival was cancelled, I had been accepted to have a stall selling my ‘drawn in books amongst the second-hand booksellers and author talks. With this in mind, I had been going explorations of second-hand bookshops stocking up on those discarded books that I could draw in. I had an exciting selection that I had drawn in and had built up stock to take to the Festival. I made the decision to sell these on my ETSY website. To do this I needed to take photographs of them. I purchased a Photo Light Studio, and wrote about it here ) which allows photos to be taken without shadows. I could do this myself while in lockdown. It made a big difference so my sense of productivity and achievement, I have put 20 books on ETSY and sold 10 this year, mailing all over the world.
Books to draw in. As part of this project I was also given and sought out books to draw in , They must be under $5. In a lockdown, I could not go out all year and nothing was open in Melbourne. I was sent a few boxes of books from friends from various sources. Thank you all. They knew exactly the type of book I was looking for (ready to be thrown out) . I have shelves of books to draw in!
A3 Scanner/printer. I had an A4 scanner printer and decided to purchase one that would scan the double-page spread of my daily sketchbook, and also scan any commissions I draw, before handing them over.
Updated business cards. A graphic designer friend updated my MOO brand business cards: cards are the same design (in multiple colours), with updated information. They are now ready to hand out at events and attach to purchases from my ETSY online store that I post out.
Going forward into 2021. What will it bring?
More drawing in books. I will be continuing my daytime work from home. Watercolour pencil sketching classes will begin again at some stage. and of course, sketching everyday !!!
Christmas is always low key but was even quieter this year. But I had my pencils and some lovely seasonal festivities to sketch . And lots of phone calls. so it was a lovely day.
I had purchased some delicious deli foods . Then found some holly to add to my table decorations. Some of this stayed on the table to long (to eat) and was thrown out .
I decided to stop at a certain stage, as this is a journal page and not a still life. My sketching style is the unfinished look and this is it.
I spent longer on the pudding and wine. I had planned this as I know it wanted it to be in more details and it was sketched over two evening. Once again I could have spent longer on this and gone into more details, but it a page in my journal to capture a moment.
And then finally – eating the pudding !
I hope that you found some peace and joy this Christmas.
Life beings again for me in Melbourne, as it sadly closes for many people around the world. My world slowly expands and my sketches reflect this.
I took my first tram ride since March. I’ve done it now, but won’t be rushing to do it again. Everyone in masks, but I wouldn’t have felt comfortable with too many more people getting on it.
I continue my walks in the nearby gardens, revisiting the familiar and always discovering something new. A magpie sang to me. The best way to start my day.
A High Tea Christmas party. We each had a box of high tea goodies delivered to us and had a zoom catchup, with a bit off silliness and chatter. I ate the savouries and sketched the sweets.
Yesterday I had a stall a second community event. (read about last weekend’s here) Our wonderful local library held a free BBQ and food as well as inviting a few locals, including myself to set up a stall. Another lovely day, meeting local friends and new people. Much need to bring a sense of normality and community back. I was too busy chatting to sketch.
and back to the Gardens… for sketches and extra adventures
I thought I had this blog post written and went for a walk in the Treasury Gardens. I did not get much sketching (of the Moor Hen) as I was visited by some baby ducklings. About 10 of them, who were not shy at all, walking all over my shoes, sketchbook, and pencils. Enjoy !
Just deciding whether to keep the duck poo footprint on the page.
Each year, residents of East Melbourne and surrounds come together to celebrate our wonderful community with the Robert Russell Hustle Community Laneway Gathering. There was live music, Tipplers pop up bar, Tippler Kitchen, a sausage sizzle, and a Christmas mini market! (Including my stall with cards). Called Robert Russell Hustle as it is held in Robert Russell Lane. see later in the blog for info about who he was.
A BIG day. It was so good and strange to be normal, after almost a year of lockdown.. When I was asked to be involved in this event back in mid November , we were all wearing masks and there was limited social gatherings. I said yes, but was very anxious But now after over a month of no community spreading, life is returning to a semi normal. (number restrictions and QR codes to sign in to places)
The sun was shining, people were chatting and happy and cards sold. There were 10 stalls and we were provided with gazebos and tables and a chair ! A big day from set up at 11am to close at 7pm, but SO GOOD. I had to remember how to put my display stands together and sort out what went where, I have only done a few markets in the past, but had worked out a system of what goes where.
I chatted to some lovely people, friends came by to say hello. I had a sheet for people to add their details to if they were interested in Watercolour Pencil Sketching Classes when I start them again in the new year.
Who was he ? Robert Russell (1808-1900) came to Sydney in 1832, having trained as an architect and surveyor in London and Edinburgh. He obtained a position in the survey office and in 1836 was sent to the Port Phillip District to survey Port Phillip Bay and its surroundings. At this time, he made the first topographical survey of Melbourne. Hoddle then drew up a detailed plan for Melbourne, still relying on the information contained in Russell’s initial survey. Most of his professional life was spent as a surveyor in private practice. He was a prolific artist across many media and his early sketches of Melbourne are a valuable part of the State Library Collection. His professional and private addresses changed many times but in 1880 he lived at 49 George Street and Robert Russell Lane leads off Simpson Street into the back of that property !
I have sketched this pin oak in watercolour pencil in the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne this year, documenting the changing seasons. This past weekend I sketched it “in use” with people having a picnic underneath its broad branches.
