New series of christmas cards and festive japes

Getting ready for Christmas with a new series of cards featuring Hamish, Scottie and his gang of pals..

Hamish on route - Norwegian plane, or is it a rocket?

First stages of the map page showing Hamish and Scottie on their way over from Edinburgh to Oslo - a few things to add, such as the islands, the rigs, the whales and maybe, Nessie taking a wee trip into the North Sea. Can't decide whether the background should be dark as at night maybe with a few stars or a bright blue sky ... that Scottie has his feet up on the seat and will get into trouble with the Captain if he finds out.

Aker Brygge lighthouse, the bear and the kilted laddo ..(and his schnauzer)





Getting there with the colouring in and shading on the new pic, next stage is the tint on the sky and the fjord. Lots of new ideas for characters too, and the sun is shining, doesn't get much better today ..

 

Oslo domkirke with blue skies and chickens

Sunday was such a beautiful sunny day, we took a big old stroll around the city and went into Oslo domkirke for the first time. It is such a lovely tranquil place with amazing paintings on the ceiling and so peaceful. Lit a couple of candles for friends and said a wee prayer. Will be back again soon and can't believe have never visited inside before. They have a great programme of music so will definitely be back for a concert and a sing along, (must practice my Norwegian first though.) The statue of the chickens outside made me smile as have never noticed them before, they are great lads and hope to do a separate pic with just them and their cheeky faces. The watercolour was supposed to be a full size but messed up with the sizing and ended up with only the spire as ran out of paper...

New magazine - Nørd Hæftii, features Oslo sketches

Was very happy to receive a copy of Nørd Hæftii magazine in the mailbox this morning, (the girls published some of my sketches on the back cover of their first issue). I had to do a little dance in the street and jump up and down a bit. A bit undignified for an auld gal but never mind.

Loving their magazine, (it's in German so thanks to Google Translate), really like their funky layouts and swooshy format. Wishing them loads of success.

www.noerdhaeftii.com

Swirly words, soldiers and seagulls

Working on a new project today with calligraphy ideas and small line pictures based on some of the photos I've taken recently. 

Really wasn't thinking too logically about the project from the start and went headlong into it. As it's on cartridge paper, the finished picture would go all wibbly-wobbly if I add watercolour paint to it now, but have some lovely bright crayons so will add a spot of colour here and there to brighten it up a bit.


Added some colour to the background and the pictures to lift the picture a bit and now thinking about creating a circle image next time. It might be an idea when the snow comes for a Christmas card... oh the snow, better get the furry boots and gloves looked out for that.

And gin to help keep warm when painting..

Stilt man at Aker Brygge

This statue is just over the way in the water beside the moorings at Beddingen in Aker Brygge. He looks out down to the fjord and is a big tall chap perched on his stilts. I've noticed when it's really quiet in the mornings, the same seagull likes to perch on his head and do a wee dance.

The sketch started in pencil and then I got a bit carried away with the black pen and a dab of paint. It had got to the point where it was finished, but then took it too far, grrrrrrr..

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!

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...