Highland Coo... PPF

Hellooooo....

This week I tried drawing with charcoal, which is something that I haven't done since my school days. It was so much fun that I'll definitely have another play soon.

As my regular arty followers know... I'm always trying to loosen my work.

I like everything to be as is and strive for perfection... which can be limiting and always makes for an ultimate let down with finished work.

Sometimes, I'm so tight I'm near to snapping, but working with charcoal was like diving into a warm calm pool totally butt naked!

(cough) 

Sorry getting a little carried away there, but it really was a revelation. 

I kept laughing as I become increasingly blacker! 

Smudges appearing everywhere, but slowly his Highland Coo appeared.

He/She looks quite a character don't you think?

Do you think it's a He or a She.... and what about a name... any ideas?

Have fun everyone and I'll see you again soon

Thank you Eva and Kristin for continuing to host this great inspirational link.

Click here if you'd like join me over there

Up up and away... PPF

It's been quite some time since I joined in with the Paint Party Friday link and even though I'm not totally happy with this watercolour, I've decided it's better to just put it out there and enjoy seeing everyone. 

I've missed you.

My head wasn't particularly in the right space for painting, but I decided that I needed the therapy that painting can provide. 

The reason was that sadly we have had to say a final farewell to my husbands Mother, my fantastic MIL (who never interfered in all the 40 years that I knew her) and my children's fun loving (anything goes) Grandmother. 

She had been ill for quite some time, but it still so painful to say goodbye.

She would love the fact that she managed to reach her 87th birthday...even if it was only by a few hours.

I have just looked back to see when I last joined in with the PPF link and it was back in September! 

My goodness how does the time go so quickly.

If you'd like to see all the entries in Eva and Kristin's PPF link up then click here.

Thanks ladies for hosting and I hope you'll forgive my absence.

Take care everyone and have a great weekend.

Millionaire's Shortbread Illustration...PPF

Hello there... phewph it's been a busy day, but I'm super excited because I've actually managed to finish off my week 4 assignment for #risedesignandshine ahead of time! 

I know...I may have to go for a lie down now.

This weeks assignment was to illustrate a favourite recipe and I chose an old family favourite which is quite appropriate as I'm now residing in Bonnie Scotland.

It's shortbread (which is a huge favourite in Scotland) but not just ordinary shortbread...it's gorgeous Millionaire's Shortbread. 

Have you baked it before? 

It's incredibly easy and as it was featured on last weeks 'The Great British Bake Off' I thought it just had to be my choice for this assignment.

My hubby and son think I need to bake it following these instructions just to make sure I have it all illustrated correctly.

They're calling it research...I have another name for it!

If you'd like to see more... I posted a slightly different version of the recipe on my blog... way back in January 2012, when we lived in Melbourne. 

(Click here) 

Oh boy looking back at some of these old blog posts, I baked an awful lot back then.

So as usual I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday gang.

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting once again.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and thanks for your visit today.

It's always great to see you and I'd love to hear from you.

Love Nature...PPF

Well today I'm feeling a little spaced out, as I've been prescribed strong antibiotics.

I'm not sure, but I may have made a mistake by reading the extensive list of possible side effects.

I hardly slept at all last night and my stomach is definitely off today! 

Enough of that...but I'll certainly let you know if the hallucinations kick in!

Last week I shared a snippet of my drawing, so I'm happy to say that I actually finished it and have started another. 

I can't decide whether to paint it myself or use it for others to colour and share their interpretations. 

How cool would that be?

What's your view on the colouring craze for adults?

Do you think that the craze has ran it's course?

I'm not sure if people are still interested in this creative stress reliever or not?

(Love Nature A3 Black Micron Ink Pen)

Whilst drawing I plugged myself in to some brilliant music... (basically to drown out the football commentary... with the odd expletive from my hubby) and spent a wonderful evening drawing whilst looking out over the sunset lit fields. 

I'm going to use the English Premiership matches for my creative time, because it certainly made a perfect evening for everyone.

It's a win win situation. 

Everyone is happy!

I haven't shared any watercolour paintings with you lately, so here's a painting that I created as part of Tracey Fletcher King's Delicious Paint online class.

I had such a great time, plus learning brilliant tips along the way, that I've decided I'll revisit the course...it's available for life once you enrol. 

How brilliant is that!

Tracey is an exceptional teacher and so generous with her time and brilliant talent.

If you are interested in joining in too, then here's the details.

Classroom is now open and you can enrol here... Delicious Paint

Just in case you're wondering...I'm not being paid in any way for promoting this course...not even a gold star from the teacher!

But for now I think I'm in need of a long blink...zzZZZzzzZzzz

As usual I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday gang.

I'm always happy to see you and will hopefully pop in to your place soon.

Have a great time this weekend.

Friday Playtime...PPF

Well would you believe it...it's Friday once more!

Time to party with the Paint Party Friday gang or PPF for short.

I've been reading a few tutorials over the past week and have realised that I tend not to use as much water as I possibly should, with my watercolour artwork.

So thanks to a Skillshare tutorial by Yasmina Creates, I decided to have a little playtime.

I added a few circles of water first, then the watercolour paints and watched them flow and mix together.

I am quite attached to the first one little bird (top left) but for some reason each time I tried another wee tweetlet, I wasn't so impressed. 

I obviously need to perfect this.

After reading lots more creative articles and supply lists (which are as everyone knows crucial and a must), I now feel slightly daunted that I have so much to learn and buy.

We have had no sun once again today, so it's difficult to take photographs.

For those who saw the beginning of the Highland cow painting...here he is finished (I think?)

I've added a few gold highlights to his flowing locks since I took this photo and I think that 'he' might now be a 'her'! 

Only a quick post today, but if you'd like to see more artwork, then why not pop across to the PPF link by clicking here.

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting PPF once more.

Have a brilliant weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by my place. 

I'm always thrilled to see you.