Sketchbook visit to Leeds Gallery and Museum

I've been spending a bit of time in Leeds lately, and having spent many weeks in the city centre previously, I can struggle to be inspired into anything creative here - and keep myself away from shopping. I visited the Leeds Art Gallery, for an afternoon with my sketchbook in hand.

sketches from the painting Scotland Forever by Lady Elizabeth Butler

I always enjoy seeing this painting, and if you have the chance to visit the Gallery, be sure to check it out, and the Leeds Tapestry which includes a tiny scaled embroidered version of the painting.
Ultimately I long to become a portrait artist - so I'm always keen to investigate other artists work and try and learn from their techniques. I came across 'Portrait of Thomas Hardy 1897' by Sir William Rothenstein, which fascinated me as I couldn't fathom achieving a likeness at this scale with so few delicate pencil lines. So as an exercise I attempted to draw it to the same scale.

 

The next day I filled a couple of hours at Leeds City Museum, it's quite limited in taxidermy (my museum addiction) so between a lack of interest, a screaming headache and a poor decision to visit the museum during school holidays I really had to force myself into drawing anything - but went through the motions for a couple of squirrels.



Of course I can't mention Leeds City Museum without including a picture of the Leeds Tiger. This poor guy was displayed as a rug in London after being shot in 1860. In 1862 it was mounted and presented to the Leeds Philosophical and Literary society. Each time I see it I think of generations of Leeds kids who've grown up thinking this wierd shape is what tigers look like.

 

check out those cankles

 

I'm back in Leeds next week, and have already booked in for a life drawing session - so that will guarantee some drawing next week.

 

Oh, and I went shopping and spent too much money.