EDM #131 - Draw a Spray Bottle

Last day of May. Last sketch of the EDiM Challenge. I can't say I'm not relieved. Trouble is there are still a few empty pages in this sketchbook. I should have done more double page spreads.

Now I'm free to dream about Provence. We have a special blog for our painting holiday - Four Go Painting in Provence. If you fancy a free virtual trip to the South of France at this perfect time of year you could subscribe to the Blog or follow us on Twitter - 4PP

EDM 129, 130 - Nearing the End!

This is the second last sketch of the Every Day in May Challenge - 2011

This is the sketch I am least happy to have in my book.

There was no shortage of models yesterday for 'Draw People Doing Something', it's just that none of the blighters would keep still! I settled on the annual brass band competition but even musicians are a fidgety lot. Took about six sketches to get to this one which I then copied into my EDiM sketchbook and added a bit of watercolour.

So I guess I have to practise sketching people. Groan. Or maybe I just sketch dogs. Dogs are the best people!

EDM 127, 128 - Skyscape, Doorway

I have sketched this view from the terrace before - in gouache
It's not far to walk!

One more sketch to catch up and then two to go after that to the end of May. I haven't made it yet but I'd give you odds on that I will.

P.S. I forgot one!

EDM #125 - Draw a Bird

It's taken a while but the collared doves are now happily at home in our garden, competing with the sparrows and pigeons for the food and bath. This one sits peering into the bedroom at me while I peer back through my binoculars. They are so dainty, I love them.

Still dragging the chain with my Every Day in May Challenge. You can see everyone's drawings on the flickr group: http://flickr.com/groups/edmeverydayinmay2011

I need to catch up by the end of the month so I can post #131 on May 31 and pretend I kept up the discipline of painting every day.

EDM #124 - Draw Something Yellow

EDM 121, 122, 123 Coins, Shade, Bell

Postcard for Charlene & EDM 120 Flashlight

postcard 6 x 4"
Val di Chio from Castiglion Fiorentino, Tuscany

This is the postcard I painted for Charlene Brown - 1150 Words - in Canada as part of our Sketchercise postcard exchange A Postcard from My Walk.


And of course, I have another EDiM sketch for you. Believe it or not I'm getting faster with these, which is one of the reasons the challenge is worth doing.

Tuscan Terrace watercolour plus EDM 118, 119

watercolour 19 x 20cm

Our Wednesday watercolour group met yesterday on an artist's terrace overlooking a garden olive grove. Delightful.

I've finally caught up with the EDiM Challenge ... until tomorrow.

My first thought for 'Draw some hair' was Dermott:

Where's Vidal Sassoon when you want him?

EDM 115,116,117 - Basket, Leaf, Bead

Every Day in May (EDiM) I have to draw something from the EDM list. It's now past the middle of May and I'm feeling like one does half way through a diet, thinking of reasons to give up.

It's not that I'm not getting something out of this exercise but, looking down the list of subjects I still have to go, I'm thinking of other things I should be sketching outside while the weather is beautiful. See what I mean, like being on a diet and thinking of reasons to give up.

Today's Wednesday afternoon watercolour group too, so I will get outside to paint.

You can see where everyone else is up to with the EDiM Challenge HERE. Some gorgeous, imaginative sketches.

Bird Sketches and EDM #114

Pigeon pen & watercolour wash

I'm prone to obsession and my current craze is birds. Until now I'd had no luck feeding birds in our garden - Italian birds don't seem to understand the concept of hanging bird feeders. Finally I had some wonderful advice from the Bird Forum to supply drinking and bathing water. Since I couldn't find a proper bird bath I used a large pot saucer fill of water. Two other pot saucers are placed in the garden and scattered with seed. Now I lie in bed each morning with my binoculars (and my coffee) delighting in all the bird life.

Black Redstart - watercolour and oil pastel

A Black Redstart female nesting under the eaves dives from the nest like an Olympian. They are such curious and friendly little birds. I'm going to be so sorry when nesting is over.

EDM # 114 - Draw something Ugly

I wasn't very inspired by my latest EDM subject, so I'm looking forward to moving on to the next. Can't wait to get to 'Draw a Bird'.

EDM 112 - Draw Something Fresh

Fresh Peas from our garden

If one gets out of step with the EDiM Challenge as I just have, it's a struggle to catch up.

HWEM would be quick to point out that while he was sweating it out under the Umbrian sun helping establish a vegetable garden near Todi (see previous post), I was sitting in the shade with Dermott, sketching. Well I was sketching, Dermott was enjoying the change of scene.

Pigma Micron pen and watercolour in Strathmore Watercolour Journal

The farmer on the hillside below was cutting hay all day. The birds and I were delighted!

EDM 113 - Draw a Fence

Watercolour and Pigma Micron Pen
Strathmore Watercolor Visual Journal 14 x 20.3 cm

HWEM has been helping a friend in Umbria establish a new vegetable garden. I couldn't resist the fence. This garden has a sublime view of the gorgeous old hill town of Todi. But I needed to draw a fence for the EDiM 2011 Challenge.

EDM 111 - Draw a Bowl

What is it about blue and white china that is so pleasing?

EDM 110 - Draw something with a flame.

EDM 108 & 109 - Dog Clock and Light Bulbs

EDM #109 - DRAW A CLOCK YOU HAVE AROUND YOUR HOUSE

Who needs a clock when you have a dog. You can set your watch by Dermott.

EDM #108 DRAW A LIGHT BULB

This is part of the Everyday in May challenge - drawing something every day in May.

Visit our flickr group to see all the sketches or even join in.

EDM 107 - Draw how you get your news

Radio Box - I love it!

I'd like to say I read the Italian papers at the bar in the morning but it wouldn't be true because I'm illiterate in this land. Thank goodness for the Internet, my iPod Touch and a great little App called Radio Box.

At any time of day I can tune in to Radio National or News Radio (Australia) or BBC Radio 4. As a former journalist I haven't kicked the habit of following breaking news - all night if necessary.

This is Day 7 of the Everyday in May Challenge.

EDiM - Something Sour - Lemon Tree

The lemon tree is an icon of the Italian garden. In the south they are huge and dripping with giant, juicy fruit. Further north they are coddled like babies, tucked warmly away inside during the winter months and then in the Spring, wheeled out proudly to enjoy the sun.

We only have one ourselves and each year it struggles back to life. We watch anxiously until we see the first tiny leaf buds. It then goes into a frenzy of putting on beautiful white scented blossom. Soon it is covered in tiny baby fruit - but I think only one has ever developed and ripened. Every time The Gardener shakes his head and mutters about its lack of a proper trunk and root system, I leap to its defence. Over my dead body!!

EDiM Scissors

Got today's sketch finished by 11am now I can attend to pressing domestic matters - i.e. Ironing!

The great thing about the sketchbook I'm using for this challenge* is that I can remove the signature I'm working on for drawing and scanning and put it back into the book when it's finished. Neat! This sketch is the end of the first signature.

* A part of the Everyday in May challenge - drawing something every day in May.

EDiM Salt and Pepper

Day 4 - my 4th sketch for May. I've caught up - for now. This is insane!

EDiM Power Plug & Exercise Equipment

Four days into May and I'm already getting behind.

Hopefully I will catch up by the end of today. You can see everyone else's EDiM art in the Flickr Group HERE. There are already 98 taking part and I'm sure it's not too late to join in.

EDiM - May 1

Watercolour in handmade sketchbook

Here's a little challenge I've taken up at the invitation of Wendy Shortland Quirky Artist. I thought it would be fitting that I use the sketchbook I made recently with great assistance from Wendy. Every day this month I have to draw one item from the Every Day Matters Group list of drawing challenges starting at #101 - Draw a bar of soap.

One down - 30 to go! What was I thinking?!!