Finn Schjolls blomsters shop

The dark door of the florists in the centre of the shop front was intriguing as it looked like a secret place to go into. Next time I'll be extra brave and sneak in to see what mysteries are there. Bet there are some wonderful plants and a big black cat, snoozing.

A wee bit cheating on the picture with the colour to cover that typo on the shop front and added some touches of blue on the plants. Might try this one again without the dark grey background next time around.

http://www.finnschjoll.no/

Blomster in Rosenkrantz' gate, Oslo

This florists is right in the centre of Oslo, the shop front has a quirky layout and even on a grey day the colours jump out. I really like the way the plants and flowers are displayed in such an eccentric way and it's one of my favourite places to walk past and always makes me smile. Across the road is a wee jazz bar with tables outside from where I did a quick sketch and took the photo, to work on later.

 Starting to put the colour in now and get the plants in place on the shelves ... but, made a big mistake with the shop name on the sketch and missed out the letter 'R', added it later but it's not correct and too squeezed in. Will see how the finished pic looks after all the detail is in place and might have to crop to the right... or go back again and do another sketch, (maybe that's a good enough reason for a beer at the bar with the jazz cool cats).

Aker Brygge lighthouse, lonely man and an invisible dog

This was a sketch from very early one morning before the quayside became busy with people, it's a popular spot for tourists and is just beside where the local ferry stops to drop off the passengers. There was only one chap wandering about and he was looking out over the water, he had a dog with him at the time but it was scooting around in the background and a nippy little fellow. A bit too quick for me to capture on paper. You can see the dog in the photo though, I think it he after the seagulls...

Blue skies over Oslofjord

Just for a wee change I decided to have a dabble with the oil paints rather than sketch pad. This picture was created quickly with an old plastic credit card to apply the paint to the canvas. Rather like butter on toast, except blue, which probably wouldn't taste so good.  The skies are so big and blue just now and lovely in the mornings.

Next time I'm going to tackle the boats!

Rainy day in Aker Brygge

This funky building has offices on the top floors and an art gallery on the ground floor. It provides a great look-out point for the seagulls to check out what's going on. As it was a horrible wet driech morning the sketch was quickly outlined and then a scurry back indoors to hot tea.

By the time I took the photo, the seagull had scooted, as had the man in his big executive office chair. He probably went for a tea too, or maybe a posh coffee, and cake, I bet.

Akershus castle

Lovely sunny morning and did a quick sketch of Akershus castle, its a bit straight and tight though. Might add some colour to doof it up a bit, or have another go tomorrow.

Big bright blue skies and lovely view, but had to give up as the view was blocked when a big cruise ship appeared and docked right in front of it, cheeky thing...

First blog picture, looking over Oslofjord

Here goes with the first picture, it's been a long time since the brushes and paints were out but let's get cracking and have a bash.

This wee picture was painted from the view over the balcony looking out over the Oslofjord. The boats are a bit wobbly but will keep practicing! It will be fun to look at the same view in a few months time when winter arrives, the flowers are gone and the fjord is frozen. Brrrr...