It seems to be all happening this week... well all except painting that is, but at least I managed to start a sketch. I'm not sure if you've heard of the BBC programme 'Springwatch' especially if you are situated outside of the UK, but it's airing at the moment and there's been some brilliant footage.
They have live camera's and it gives you a chance to really see nature up close and personal 24/7. Some scenes a little too close for my liking, but they're brilliant all the same.
Here's a link if you'd like to take a peek - click here
They featured Puffins one evening and I'd heard that they are near the endangered list and since then I just can't get them out of my mind... so I started to draw them.
(I'm hoping that you can see this as it's really quite light)
There's a bird sanctuary not far from here, with the cliff tops crammed with wild birds and their nests. I keep saying that we must visit whilst the puffins are nesting.
By the way, did you know that a young puffin is called a 'puffling'.
Now you've got to agree that's rather cute.
Anyway, I've got to be on my game today... moving swiftly on because my hubby has purchased a huge beast of a garden tool, that has the potential to strip a whole woodland in one sweep never mind a feed weeds from around the perimeter of our garden!
I can virtually hear my plants gasp in horror and lean away in terror.
Heaven knows what damage he could do wielding that baby!
Don't worry... I'm going to be standing well back and wearing full safety gear and I'm not even going to be anywhere near.
I'm taking no chances!
I may even need a stiff drink by the time he's finished.
None during for obvious reasons!
Talking of needing a stiff drink reminded me of my painting of a Bombay Sapphire Gin bottle
(other gin's are available)
I painted it a little while back, so maybe some of you haven't seen it before.
My son has it on his bedroom wall and objected to me taking it down... so I took the photo in situ which wasn't the best idea... but there you go!
Cheers!
I'm linking up as usual with Eva and Kristin as usual over at PPF
and to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
and to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Thanks for hosting once again ladies.
I hope you all have a wonderful safe weekend and thanks for visiting my place.
Lovely puffins and A bottle of gin is always a good idea - you got the tonic to go with it? Have a great weekend and enjoy your wildlife, Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWe certainly do Valerie and fresh limes!
DeleteThanks for stopping by... I was having trouble linking so now you've commented I know that it's working okay.
Happy PPF to you too.
You did a wonderful job of painting that gin bottle!
ReplyDeleteWould you believe me if I said not a drop passed my lips whilst I was painting that bottle Debra. It's true because it was already empty!
DeleteI like the sketch of puffin. I watch a lot of nature shows, and the puffin with its beak stuffed with fish is always delightful. I hope you show us the finished painting. I dont drink but I admire the artistry of that gin bottle. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Indira, that particular wildlife programme that I mentioned has live camera's in nests... such as an Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Owls and a Whitethroat to name but a few.
DeleteThey have amazing camera men and women working to bring fascinating details and footage. It really is a brilliant programme.
I don't drink much more than the odd glass of wine with dinner now... and feel so much better for it, but I loved the colour of this bottle and couldn't resist painting it.
Happy PPF to you.
Hi Neesie,
ReplyDeleteThat bottle is gorgeous. You have a very delicate touch.
Hoping those puffins make a comeback.
Hi Sandra,
DeleteThank you for your compliment. I'm hoping that the numbers of puffins increase too. There seems to be far too many animals and birds on our endangered list these days. We need to look after them all.
I love the color of your gin bottle. I was really impressed by the label as well. Your TV show sounds fascinating. Definitely something fascinating to watch.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ginny, I didn't actually think through just how detailed the gin bottle was going to be before I started to paint it. I often do that. Testing myself to the limit.
DeleteI have to admit that I was quite pleased with the outcome on this one.
The TV programme is a great one to watch. It only comes on the TV for a week or so... every evening, but the camera's footage is available day and night. I learn at least one thing per programme that I didn't know and sometimes numerous things.
Lovely bottle. I didn't know puffins were endangered. Lovely sketch in progress.
ReplyDeleteYes Christine, apparently Atlantic puffins and European turtle doves have been added for the first time to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of species at risk of being wiped out. It was news to me until they mentioned it on TV.
DeleteThanks for your compliments on my artwork. It's appreciated.
Great sketch and I could see it fine. I love the bottle painting. You did such a detailed work I thought it was a photo!
ReplyDeleteOh that's good because it is only lightly sketched at this stage.
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely compliments about my painting. You've put a huge smile on my face.
Hi Neesie. Having problems finding the box to post a comment in. Hope this one works. Love that bottle and a stiff drink sounds good. tee hee. Awesome drawing. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeletehmm... I wonder why the comment box was difficult to find. Thanks for persisting. My computer has been having a brief little tizzy. I hope it's not going to cause too many problems.
DeleteAnyway, thankfully you are here now... and I appreciate it.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend too.
Oh gosh, I think I need a G & T just reading about your husband let loose with his new toy... have you thought about leaving the Times 'Situations Vacant' page open in his shed?! Great painting and the puffins and any future pufflings are adorable!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend
Wren x
Indeed Wren... you can see what I'm up against now. I've asked if he's bored yet and missing work, but unfortunately he gives an emphatic 'NO'!
DeleteMaybe your Times trick might work... I'll give it a go.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend too and that the sun shines for you. It's left us so it's got to be somewhere?
Ha, your puffin looks strangely familiar... I have 6 pufflings (some who have hit the ever-hAngry teenage years) who routinely have that "give me all I can cram into my mouth" look. Can't wait to see how this painting progresses:-).
ReplyDeleteAww that is adorable Minnemie, I can just imagine mealtimes round at your place. I love the idea of your 6 pufflings.
DeleteI hope you have time to relax and preen yourself at times.
Have a wonderful weekend
I love all creatures so needless to say i adore the puffins too. I did not know they were endangered:( Your bottle illustration is just spectacular-wow!!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to hear that the puffins are a recent addition to the endangered list. It would be tragic to lose any of animals and birds that are on the list.
DeleteThanks for your kind words about my illustration. I appreciate it.
that bottle turned out spectacularly. I can't wait to see the puffins done, all this fish in his beak should come out beautifully
ReplyDeleteHic! Thanks Jenn,
DeleteIt's been a busy week so I had to include a nakey puffin... hopefully I'll be able to finish him tomorrow. You are more positive than I feel. But I intend to have fun so hopefully it'll work out.
Me too! Love me some Bombay Sapphire. Just relax with a G and T which he goes wild with the weed whacker. Look forward to seeing how your penguin painting develops.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF
Emma
Ooh that sounds good Emma, but it took him so long to assemble the beast that he only had time to do a wee bit of whacking!
DeleteTomorrow might be a whole other story! Wish me luck!
It's a puffin by the way (hehe)
Hi Neesie!! Gorgeous work! Your sketch is so beautiful, the puffins are adorable! And love the gin bottle..looks stunning!Thanks for sharing your magical world!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a sparkling wkd!
Victoria
It's my pleasure to share Victoria, I just wish I had more to show. I'm trying to obtain an even balance, but it's difficult now that the weather has improved.
DeleteGreat job on the gin bottle. Husbands and big machines, Oh My!
ReplyDeleteOh my indeed Fran, it's been quite a week.
DeleteMy art is keeping me sane, but it's touch and go! Wish me luck!
The puffins are lovely, Neesie .. always such a shame to see something so lovely on the endangered list. I must say, I feel I could reach out, pick up your bottle of gin and pour myself a tipple. Well done! No tonic necessary .. lol. hugs, Donna
ReplyDeleteNo tonic Donna... wow whata gal!
DeleteI do have a soft spot for puffin's, but then I've got soft spots for so many... it's really a rash!
I get very upset when I think how many species we might loose on our watch.
Beautiful puffins!! <3
ReplyDeleteThe bottle looks real!:)
Happy PPF
Thanks Simona, I'm happy with both projects so it's a good week.
DeleteHappy PPF to you too.
I love the puffin they look like such a story book bird... so adorable.. this is the third time I've heard about them in the last few weeks!! Great sketch...and LOVE the gin bottle..impressive work.
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
The puffin's do look like they're full of character don't they? They are so funny when they fly and come in to land, plus they're got that snazzy looking beak too.
DeleteYou are an incredible artist!!! Love the wild life link -- I could watch clips - fortunately the clips tell you when something bad is going to happen so I don't watch that!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think I will join Donna for that triple!!
sandy xx
Thanks Sandy,
DeleteI'm glad that you can choose whether to watch the gory bits on the video clips. I tend to look at a space on the wall next to the TV when they give the warnings. I know nature can be cruel, but I really don't need to see.
Yeah it would be nice to have a tipple together wouldn't it. Very civilised and watch the sun go down.
great Puffin line art :) they are such goofy birds. Yeah keep meaning to go see them, but always run out of time. too much to do
ReplyDeleteAren't they just Jennifer, but I love them.
DeleteI'm thinking I'll miss them too, because times marching on and the pufflings will be gone by the time I get there. I've been meaning to go ever since I returned from Australia, which is three years this July!
Your puffins are already so cute! What a beautifully rendered bottle too. I hope the garden adventure goes well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, I'm happy with my projects this week.
DeleteI just need to get going on this week now. The time goes so quickly.
I don´t think the Puffins are endangered. There is a lot of them. I have seen them and they are lovely birds. And very cool too.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that they have been put onto the endangered list from three different sources, but I hope you are right.
DeleteHere's one source extracted from Nature World News...
Endangered Birds: Puffins Join Threatened Species List. Atlantic puffins are now listed as a "vulnerable" species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species for birds.
I have always wanted to see a puffin-and pufflings too. I didn't realize they are getting so rare. I am going to Iceland this summer and I want to see one more than anything else there. I will let you know if I do. happy rest of your weekend- Erika
ReplyDeleteOh Erika that's so exciting. I really hope that you do see them...and many more fantastic sights. Whales and the Northern Lights to name just two. I can't wait to hear all about your trip and to see your photographs of course.
DeleteSuch cute puffins. Very detailed bottle.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beverley, I think the puffins are cute and very comical.
DeleteI was pleased with both projects.
Lovely puffin sketches! Such lovely comical birds. Its terrible how many beautiful creatures are endangered these days.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more June... it's scary that we might lose some amazing animals and birds. Hopefully it won't happen on our watch if we all do our little bit to help.
DeleteYour story about hubby and his new machine made me laugh so much. I have always similar worries when my husband starts working in the garden with a new machine. So now I know how to handle this in the future the machine for my husband and your really beautiful bottle of gin for me ;)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could laugh Stefanie,
DeleteI'm having to watch him like a hawk. Thankfully my last rant and rave must have hit the spot because yesterday he came to me to check whether something should go or stay! There's still hope ;D
Only resorted to the odd glass of wine so far... but the gin's there ready just in case... and brandy, rum, vodka, whiskey etc.
That puffing sure looks hungry ... (or greedy :-) ) Didn't see that painting of the gin bottle yet, but it looks great!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't he just... a full portion for sure.
DeleteI felt I was cheating posting that painting, but I thought some of the PPF artists might not have seen it.
I'm hoping to get my act together for this week... but it's Tuesday already!
The puffin sketch is coming along nicely. Puffling is such a cute name for the babies. I love the gin bottle you painted....nice colours and I'm sure the gin wasn't too bad either? hehe
ReplyDeleteThe colour of the gin bottle was the main attraction for painting it Serena... but I have to admit the gin was very nice with a little tonic and slice of lime.
DeletePufflings and Puffin's are certainly comical little beings.
I love this, actually both, gin and your painting! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a creative week, cheers!
Hehe... thanks BLOGitse,
DeleteI hope you have a creative week for your too.
Puffins are so cute. I like your sketch...and the gin bottle...it looks like a photograph it is so realistic. Never in my dreams could I do that. Amazing. genie
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words about my art genie,
DeleteWhen I look back on things that I have created I often think... how did I do that. It just comes out and I love that!
Your sketch of the puffins is so sweet. I love them, and it is so sad that they are endangered. And that gin bottle....wow!! How realistic. Never in my dreams could I draw something like this. You are so talented. genie
ReplyDeleteOh hello again genie ;D
DeleteI didn't realise that the gin bottle was so detailed and half way through I didn't think I could do it either... but I kept going.
Maybe you should just start and see where it leads. You never know... like me you could have a lovely surprise at the end!
Thanks for the compliments. I really appreciate them.
Your bottle painting is spectacular -- great details!
ReplyDeleteLovely sketch, I never heard of a puffling, now that is adorable!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work, Denise. I love your birds and great work on the bottle. Great detail. Hope you're having a good week. :)
ReplyDeletexx
Wow Denise! Your painting looks fantastic and the sketched birds are darling! Hope your plants survived :)
ReplyDelete