Autumn goodness

I'm spending most of the month of October in Stockholm, and the city is beautiful at this time of year. The first two weeks of the month the weather was perfect for Autumn - cool but clear with warm sunshine, then a snap of crisp air as soon as the sun lowers. I took advantage of one of the sunnier days to visit Skansen.

Found a lovely spot of afternoon warmth for a bit of knitting. I'm working on 'Birch' by Rowan, but using a lace weight wool I purchased a while back in Stockholm, and Addi lace circulars. This took me a long time to get started, but it's moving along now.

The bear cubs were still out playing, they've grown so much since they were born! It's been such a priveledge to be able to visit frequently enough to watch their progress. I think hibernation must be just around the corner though.
It was a little too cold, or rather I wasn't inspired enough to draw despite the cold on the day, but had a bit of a sketch when I got back to the hotel room.

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This weeks life drawing

Back in Leeds this week and I attended Leeds Life Drawing, which I look forward to any time I'm in Leeds for a Wednesday night. It's not an instructional class, just a gathering of people of varying skill levels and techniques - the gallery provides chairs, boards, cartridge paper, charcoal and most importantly the model.
Usually there are a few 10min poses, a 20min and then a torturous 50minute (I've never been to a group who asks a model to keep the same post for 50mins without a break!) This week I decided to go with more detailed pencil drawing rather than the usual free broad charcoal sketches I've created at previous sessions.

past session 10min sketch

I also wanted to try drawing from life with watercolour pencils and my new pentel aquash water brushes - a great little invention, they hold water and have a soft brush nib. Quick to whip out, create a wash of your pencils and pack them back in your pencil case, no water to spill, no drips, no mess and so far I've had no leaks.

pentel aquash

 

So here are my pencil sketches from the shorter poses - had plenty of foreshortening practice this week!

 

Finally this is the sketch using watercolour pencil and the wash brushes - didn't really amount to much after a 50min pose, but it's a start.