Introduction Welcome to the first issue of Gmag. This is where I share my passion for drawing and painting, some nostalgia and whatever else comes to mind. In this issue I have a go at Pen and Ink wash and try my hand at a portrait of my old School Master. I feature a new painting of Castletown Mount and I take my sketchbook to visit Downton Abbey TV series. |
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Watercolour Demonstration
The Farmer
Watercolour Sketch
Here is a photo I came across. I'm not sure where I saw it but,
the relaxed pose struck a chord with me and I decided to paint it in watercolour.
You see that the paper is a bit uneven. This is because I never got round to stretching it beforehand.
To maintain an even surface on watercolour paper while you apply lashings of watery paint on it, it must be stretched tight on a drawing board.
I don't know the farmer and, maybe he's not a farmer, but the cow in the top left hand corner of this photo would suggest that he is.
Do you know him?
I would be delighted to hear your comments.
Check out the comment section below.
The Farmer
This is a watercolour sketch of a photo
I came across and I liked the pose.
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Pen and Ink Demonstration
One Small Head
For this project I decided to try and draw a familiar face and after many years being thought by my old school master Brian McGrath I should be somewhat used to his face.
I selected for my reference photo, a photo from his retirement party taken after the presentation.
I made various attempts to capture his image using a pencil on cartridge paper, taking measurements using the length of my pencil as a ruler. I must have tried this about three or four times but each time the result looked out of proportion. His head was either too wide or too long.
Finally I threw care to the wind ( and the pencil too! ) and started drawing directly with a soluble ink pen. I started with the bridge of the nose and realized that his glasses were his most prominent feature. So I concentrated on getting them right. Using the pen slowed me down and helped my focus.
As last I got an image that was beginning to look like my old school master. This is the first stage in producing a Pen and Ink Wash.
Pen and Ink Wash
Pen and Ink Wash is a watercolor technique that uses the fact that the ink in the pen is soluble (bleeds with water ). to produce shading and shadows that enhance the drawing.
Having made a drawing in soluble ink pen, a wet brush can be used to dampen the paper and pick up the soluble ink from the drawing. This can then be used to produce the shading on the face.
I started to warm to the subject and started to be quite pleased with the result of this technique. But there is only so much ink you can lift from the drawing before the paper starts to become so damp that there is a danger of it tearing.
Getting more ink
This problem I resolved by scribbling with the pen on a scrap of paper and lifting the ink off as before.
Having got the drawing to this stage I was quite pleased with it and this, (I have learned from painful experience) is often the best time to stop put down the pen and brush an sign it as finished. But, having got this far my confidence was high so I decided to take it a stage further and add some watercolor. I used light wash of Burnt Sienna and a yellow ocher for his jacket.
Brian McGrath (Baldy)
Brian McGrath served as Principal of St.Joseph's primary Fatima during the fifties and sixties.
"And still they gaz'd and still the wonder grew,
That one small head could carry all he knew."
Godsmith's The Village Schoolmaster
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Local Interest
Cuchulainn's Castle
Reference Photo |
Watercolour Painting Check out this wonderful video of the castle |
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Who's the Witch
Do you remember this Lady? Clue: Nose Reveal |
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My Sketchbook Visits
Downton Abbey |
Downton Abbey has become one of the most widely watched television drama shows in the world. This British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece, is set in the fictional Yorkshire country estate of Downton Abbey. It follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era with the great events in history having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy. The characters, superbly written by Julian Fellowes and portrayed by an expertly chosen cast, bring us back in time to an era when the world was quite different.Carson the butler and Mrs Hughes the housekeeper were essential to the running of the manor house. Between then they ensured the group of servants looked after the Crawley Family's every need. |
Lord GranthamPortrayed by Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham His Lordship Lord Grantham was in charge, or so he thought, for the female members of the household seemed to have their way, most of the time.Lady MaryPortrayed by Michelle Dockery as Mary Crawley, the eldest daughter of Earl of Grantham |
Dowager Countess of GranthamViolet Crawley portrayed by Maggie Smith is the matriarch of the Crawley Family.She is arguably the best character on the show. Famous for her witty remarks. She's a reservoir of wisdom, always in control and carries herself with great poise. Some Quotes"I do think a woman's place is eventually in the home, but I see no harm in her having some fun before she gets there.""I am a woman, Mary. I can be as contrary as I choose." |
Working onIn my StudioI am working on a full portrait of The DowagerI have recently got a more detailed photo of Hamill's House, my thanks to Gerry Mackin, and I can't wait to get painting. Did Gmag bring some cheer to your browsing?I'd be delighted to have your feedback. Check out the comments section below and don't go without checking out My Gallery |
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Down Memory Lane
Childhood Memories
Did you do this? I remember putting my arms over the top railing and catching my feet. Post a Comment This is the site of the old Chapel in Fatima. The site has been recently acquired by the Parish Priest Father Tom Griffin and plans are being made for a new centre for the community on the site. See Here Post a Comment |
Reveal
Bewitched
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The Sparrow
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My Gallery Downton Abbey Bewitched |
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