Sandymount Strand I was inspired by the men digging in the sand with their shovels. They were looking for lugworms deep in the sand. This attracted me to sketch them in motion. I took a quick photo on my smart phone and a few thumbnail sketches. I wanted to immortalize this moment, I will say …
Beautiful day at the gorgeous Cote d’Azur Nice, France. I was there for a few days the first week of October with friends. I was very impressed with this area, very classy and stylish. I had taken a few photos and very quick sketches. I would have loved to have had time to do a …
I love painting still subjects. Here is a prime example: I took a few photos with my Canon 250D camera and thumbnail sketches first. I completed the watercolour back in the studio. The colours and contrasts of the sand and general shapes give my mind a real runaround to get my ‘eggs in one basket’. …
This is my latest work. It’s from Seapoint, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. Beautiful July afternoon with blazing sunshine. I deliberately did this on a two spread sketchbook for a panoramic view. The scene has so much going on with people enjoying the weather and water. I had fun showing the various positions of the figures in …
This is the sketch for ‘Down Time’ on my shop page. It’s basically the same, but loosely based. I wanted to build on this to a ‘refined and polished’ version. Sometimes sketches have a more organic feel. Sketching to me is: without bounds or limits. I love the squiggly lines method with the watercolour. It …
Night & Day watercolour sketch done from Wicklow National Park, Co. Wicklow. I sketched this work with some reference help from my Canon EOS 250d. I don’t like using the camera as a crutch, but rather a colour and value guide. The sketch brings life and vitality to my brain. When I draw I record …
This is the sketch for ‘ Three’s Company’, Enniskerry. From the beautiful Enniskerry landscape and Co, Wicklow, which is called: ‘The Garden of Ireland’ to Irish people. Sketching is vital for gathering important information. Collecting data, both written and visual. Nature and her beautiful colours of this historic county. Sketching is my diary. I bring …
‘City Lights’ Poolbeg. This sketch based on the image here from my shop page is simple and straightforward. The scene is from north of the River Liffey in Dublin City. It’s a terrific spot to paint. Wide-open strands, boats and seagulls hovering over your head…nothing beats it! Sketching is not ‘old school’, it’s been around …
This sketch is simple, but appropriate to my painting. I always try to plan out my sketches beforehand. When I began sketching: Day’s End I was thinking of the finished painting. Even though it’s a coloured pencil sketch, it has a lot of elements in it I needed for the painting. The setting sun for …
Here you’ll see the sketch for Grey Ruins Killiney Hill. Here you can see the original painting on my shop page based on this sketch. I find sketching as rewarding as painting En Plein-Air at times, especially in tough weather conditions. I can get notes and colour tones in..just like a personal diary. You’ll see …
