CJ Smith

A sketch of our feline house guest.

Here’s my first drawing of 2011 - a pen and charcoal sketch of the home of our New Year hosts and old friends A&L in Carnoustie. Sitting outside on New Year’s Day to sketch this was a chilly drawing session, but worth the effort I think.

Seascape 1

Charcoal drawing of the waves arriving on Lossiemouth East Beach

Shostakovitch String Quartet No 8

I’m increasingly using music to inspire my art work. These are details from three pieces based on the powerful string quartet by Shostakovitch. I immerse myself in the music and let the emotion flow through from hand to marks on the paper. It’s relaxing, almost meditative and very satisfying. These studies are pieces in their own right to me and if I paint to the music again I’d probably create totally different results. We shall see.

Sketches at the cathedral

Back to Elgin Cathedral today and a number of pen and charcoal drawings. Liked using the chunky thick charcoal today on the arch detail.

Drummuir Castle Scotland

Back from my parent’s Golden Wedding Celebration over the weekend at this amazing castle in the midst of Scotland’s main whisky area. Here are two views I sketched of the front of the castle when I wasn’t at the party, playing croquet or petanque, walking the grounds, drinking aforementioned whisky or sleeping off the effects!

http://www.drummuircastle.com

Cafe Culture Lossiemouth

Harbour Lights Cafe/Restaurant, Harbour Shoppie and Fisheries & Community Museum in converted buildings from the former fishing industry. Managed to get this sketch done in gorgeous sunshine before the rain started again.

Elgin Cathedral

Very pleasant afternoon sketching the impressive cathedral in Elgin, Moray. Loving using charcoal on it’s own and with pen. I could spend days seeking out viewpoints and subjects around the ruins and restorations.

Elgin Cathedral

Had to take our car to the scrap yard today. Walking back past Elgin Cathedral I sketched the ruin - scrapped a long time ago and still imposing. I also visited the adjacent Biblical Garden to sketch some of the plants - these to follow tomorrow. I’m not a religious person, but it felt appropriate.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_133&PropName=Elgin%20Cathedral

Beach BBQ Rays

The sun was just managing to creep through the menacing dark clouds as we set up our bbq on the beach on Friday. The rain and howling cold wind didn’t put us off enjoying our bbq and bonfire before getting back to our tent to try to warm up!