Sunday, April 22, 2007

The Archers


Today was just the beginning of what I call May Madness in our town. Throughout May it seems that everyone dresses up in medieval costume and relives the past - this culminates in some wonderful street feasts, very much enjoyed by the meat eaters. Do you detect a slight resentment? I don't eat beef.


Today crossbowmen from as far away as Florence, marched into town for their annual tournament. I decided it was a great sketching opportunity. I took a very cheap sketchbook - I think I had a premonition. It was a great sketching opportunity but it was the quick and the dead. I was the dead - nobody would stay still and I had half the town peering over my shoulder.


The flag throwers were here in force as usual. They really earn their keep through the summer months.

I liked the style of this young girl who had an arrow tucked into her boot.

On the positive side. I did sketch in public. On the negative side. I've really gone off children. They won't stay still for two seconds!

11 comments:

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

You did great on these sketches, considering all the company you've had! Love the costumed figures, especially the first one is very well done. Yes, I agree, children are nightmares, even when they sit, they aren't still! Nice sketches and good for you!
Ronell

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fun event! I wouldn't have dared even take my sketchbook out under those circumstances!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Ronell - Thank you. I'm hoping it will be easier next time.

Dave - It was fun. It was only a cheap sketchpad I took out. I knew I wasn't confident enough to work in my Moleskine. I was able to quickly turn over a couple of pages and start again when people walked away.

Sheila said...

Sounds like lots of fun. And even if the kids didn't stand still very long, the sketch of the two girls is really nice.

Anonymous said...

I love your figure sketches...hope to see more!

Debbie

Robyn Sinclair said...

Sheila - She was very cute that little girl with the interesting hair do. I'd love to have had time to do a portrait.

Debbie - thank you. I really have to work on people.

dinahmow said...

A lovely memory for me of times in Italy. And I think you sketched pretty well.
I enjoy "popping in " to see your house/garden/art progress. Thanks

Joan said...

Good for you!! I'm glad you got the opportunity to sketch. This came out good. It's so hard to sketch people who are doing something. They never stay still. It's the same way with boats. I've found that if I do either people or boats I sketch them in quickly before they leave. The festivals must be a lot of fun. Ciao!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Dinah - Thank you, I'm glad to share Italy with you. Do please keep popping in.

Joan - Thanks and yes the festivals are fun, everyone enters into the spirit - there is such a sense of community here. As for sketching in public - I'm planning to take my sketching stool and brazen it out in Florence on Friday.

Anna Davern said...

Hi Robyn,

Thanks for your comments on my blog, I'm looking forward to reading yours through on my return to Tallinn (I don't like taking up too much time on mama and papa davernator's connection) Also have a look at my garage sailing blog - there's a link from davernator.

Blog On!

Anna

Making A Mark said...

Wow Robyn - how exciting - I'd love to see that!

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