Madonna (1)

Not the famous pop singer but art related to the Virgin Mary, sometimes referred to in Catholic circles as "Our Lady". There has been throughout Christian history many and various interpretations of this.
I have visited several holy sites from wayside shrines to majestic cathedrals on my travels over the years; sometimes stumbling across them by happenstance as well as making journeys to specific sites. I think its safe to say that these visits have become something of a lifelong hobby.
I do have regard for the paintings and drawings of the subject but must admit its the sculpture that usually grabs my attention to the point of photographing and subsequently settling down with sketchbook and pencils. Invariably the subject finishes up being further developed on the drawing board back at the studio. This is not usually done the instant I return to the studio, - sometimes I make further exploratory sketches or just leave it lying about to mature, - like a fine wine. This is one such.

 This large statue stands as a door jamb to the great west door of Lichfield Cathedral  just north of Birmingham. I've seen photographs of similar work at Chartres and other cathedrals in Northern France.  I took this picture on a fine summer's day of clear blue skies last year (2018).

This piece, drawn on my usual 300 gsm smooth cartridge paper, is 50 cms wide by 70 cms tall. Simply called "Lichfield" there are other works in progress in the same genre which could include studies of church architecture and will simply be titled with where it was. Closer examination of this work shows it is primarily line drawing which is done initially as precise measured drawing rather in the style of Euan Uglow whose work I greatly admire but taken a step further using architectural drawing instruments, e.g. Tee-square and set-square. But after that, once I've established where things are on the paper, I take a more painterly approach so here we have a heavy line drawing of the figure set against a fine-line matrix with watercolour and later ink wash applied.

New Sketchbook Series

Because of changes in family circumstances visits to the studio have been a bit sporadic of late, hence the slow progress of the larger work, "Dream of the Rood". However it has not stopped me from working at home using sketchbooks. I usually carry an A5 hardback one with me; it is a useful "go anywhere" size but for now I've bought an A4 book instead, a proper desktop size and am using it to make mainly pen-and-wash/watercolour work working from a huge amount of photographs accumulated over the years. I'll try to keep this book for finished or semi-finished work rather than the quickly scribbled ideas. We'll see....

I visited Lichfield Cathedral in November last year. I find myself attracted to the  not so  obvious bits that tourists flock to, but rather the obscure and sometimes apparently neglected corners which probably have their own story to tell, making me speculate what these little niches are about. This is one such outside the South Wall of the nave. It must have served some purpose in the past.
All the pages are A4 as pointed out earlier and drawn on 150 gsm cartridge paper. Line drawing with a 0.3 mm. black ink micro-pen with watercolour.

 There is a ruined Saxon Monastery at Heysham Head near Lancaster. The photo was taken in August 2015 whilst showing a friend of mine from Cambridge around. We had a good afternoon at the site doing quite a bit of Plein Air sketching. I only completed this piece  this morning.
Drawn on A4 150 gsm cartridge paper. Line drawing with a 0.3 mm. black ink micro-pen with watercolour.