Scribble Picnic - FOREST

Hi fellow Scribblers!

It's been one of those weeks and I very nearly didn't participate.  However, I caught a lucky break because there were some issues with the Mr Linky gadget on Michael's blog so he extended the time for us. Phew!  I swear I had nothing to do with it!

So this week's prompt is FOREST.

I LOVE hiking through the rain forests at Mount Tamborine here in South East Queensland so I figured I'd depict a forest walk.

Initial ink pen sketch and watercolour

And then to give it a bit of oomph by bumping up the contrasts between lights and darks. I used Sumi ink for the darks.

To see what everyone else did for this week's prompt, click HERE.
To find out how to join in on the fortnightly fun, click HERE.

The next prompt will be GOODBYE AUTUMN.  Not sure that it applies to me though as we will be saying goodbye to spring soon.

Scribble Picnic - Double

Hi fellow scribblers!

We had a choice of prompts this week with either JOLT or DOUBLE.

I chose double but it took me a while to decide what I actually wanted to do hence just a scribble for you this week.

We came to Australia when I was only four but, at fourteen years old, my Mum and we five kids went back to England for a three month holiday to see family. Dad remained behind as there was another motive for the trip — to decide if we would move back to England permanently. If we chose 'yes', Dad would sell up and follow us over.

While in England, I remember how entranced we kids were by the double decker buses there. We had never seen them here in Australia and it was such a huge treat when our Uncle took us on one for the very first time. Of course, we just had to ride on the top deck, didn't we?!  Needless to say, my 'Londoner' Uncle was more than a little embarrassed when we 'Aussie kids' kept screaming with delight while the other passengers behaved like they were in a library. My Uncle even apologised to the driver and nearby passengers as we exited the bus adding, "They're from Australia.". haha I'm sure the passengers were all greatly relieved to see the back side of those noisy Aussies. However, it still remains a very happy memory for me.

So here is my very loose graphite sketch and that's as far as I've managed so far...

To see what everyone else did for the prompt this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join us each fortnight, click HERE.

The next prompt is FOREST and due on the 14th. Hope to see you at there!

Scribble Picnic - Bottle

Hi everyone!

This week, the prompt for Scribble Picnic is BOTTLE.

You would think that having two weeks to get this prompt done, I would have been on the ball but, oh no — true to form, I left it until the last minute even though it crossed my mind lots. Since seeing the prompt, I couldn't get the song 'Message in a Bottle' out of my head so that's what I went with.

I laid the basic structure in first with Prismacolor coloured pencils

And here is the end result although I may fiddle with it a little more with it yet. I used coloured ballpoint pens and black ink for emphasis.

To see the wonderful work of my fellow scribblers this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join us each fortnight, click HERE.

See you for the picnic in two weeks for the prompt - JOLT or DOUBLE.

I will leave you with the song — Message in a Bottle by The Police.

Scribble Picnic - Chicken

Hi everyone,

The past couple of weeks have been a little busy with helping my son move to a new place and cleaning up the old place which will be finalised on Friday.

I planned a finished piece but time just got away from me so it's another work-in-progress this week. I hope to add more images to this post as the day progresses.

The theme is CHICKEN.

I started this little guy with a soft pencil sketch

First pass with watercolours. This was as far as I've managed so far...hope to post more here later.

************

Okay...I'm back with a couple more images including a completed piece...see below.

...okay, I think I'm calling it finished. I wish I hadn't used coloured pencils as they left texture where I didn't want it. I feel like he's overworked now. We live and learn, right?

To see what my fellow picnickers have been up to for this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join us each fortnight, click HERE.

I hope to be back with an update soon....bye for now.

Scribble Picnic - Explore

Hello dear friends!

The theme for this week is EXPLORE/EXPLORATION.

I really lived up to the Scribble Picnic title this week as all I have so far is a SCRIBBLE! haha My main problem was that I was overwhelmed with so many different ideas in my mind that I had trouble settling on one. I ended up going with a teddybear pilot ready to explore the skies in his plane — scribbled last night just before lights out.

Here is my very, VERY rough pencil scribble for now. I may make some minor changes as I go along.

To check out what my fellow Picnickers have done for this week, click HERE.

I will either add more pics to this post later today or I will show you all the end result next week. I have a busy day ahead with doggy-sitting among other things.

I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful week!

Scribble Picnic - Hot Dog

This week, the prompt for Scribble Picnic is HOT DOG.

My eldest son and I brainstormed on this one and I ended up going with the following....thanks, Bradley! 

On hot summer days, THIS particular 'hot dog' likes to to go for a relaxing time at the pool. He loves going for a dip in the water to cool down. 

First a rough sketch with pencils 

And the end result 

To see what my fellow Scribblers have come up with for this week, click HERE. 

Michael has opted to put the Scribble Picnic co-op on hold for the moment.  He will be back with a further announcement on August 22nd. Stay tuned...

Scribble Picnic - Stars

Time ran away from me again this week so it will be a quick post and run for now.

This week's prompt for Scribble Picnic is STARS. 

I was thinking of the Don McLean song 'Vincent' where part of the lyrics are 

Starry, starry night, 

Paint your palette blue and grey 

SO, a starry night sky was in order. I will admit that this was my third attempt as I've never done a night sky in watercolours before. I have done a few in acrylics with reasonable results but that's it.

To see what my fellow Scribblers have done for the prompt this week, click HERE. 

To find out how to join us each week, click HERE.

In keeping with my thought process for the prompt this week, I've included the music video clip of the song - Vincent. Enjoy!

See you next week at the picnic!

Scribble Picnic - Crunchy

A quick post and run this week as I have a busy day ahead....

This week's theme for Scribble Picnic is CRUNCHY! 

First layer of watercolour with a little INKtense pencil

And the end result.  I could have fiddled about with it some more but time is limited today. 

To check out what my fellow Scribbler's have done for this week, click HERE.

To find out how to join us each week at our picnic, click HERE. 

We are having a break next week for the US Fourth of July celebrations but the prompt for the following week will be STARS. See you there.

Scribble Picnic - Plump

Hi everyone!

I'm so sorry that I've been absent for the past two Scribble Picnics. Two weeks ago I was in quite a lot of pain after having an upper molar extracted.  The tooth put up one heck of a fight so my gums were very tender and bruised for longer than usual. In fact, I'm still not fully recovered. I'm not a fan of getting dental work done at the best of times but that had to be the worst tooth extraction I've ever experienced! I thought they had broken my jaw at one point after there was a heap of pressure and force, then a loud CRACK! They assured me it was just the tooth coming away from the bone but I'd never had that happen with previous extractions.

I had intended to do last week's THREE colour option for the picnic but it turned out to be an extra busy week and time got away from me. Such a shame because I was really keen to try that one — I hope Michael will consider giving it another go-round or I may just do it anyways and slip it into a future post.

This week's prompt was 'PLUMP' and I couldn't get past thinking about the row of five Money Plants (aka Crassula Ovata or Jade Plants) lined up along the front entrance to our home.  They are quite mature now with thick tree like shapes.

Their leaves are thick and 'plump'.

I sketched it directly with watercolours and a paintbrush

Some pen detailing and more shadow work to add some depth

And the finished page in my sketchbook

To see what my fellow Scribblers have done for this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join in on the fun each week, click HERE.
Next week's prompt is CRUNCHY — see you at the picnic!

Scribble Picnic - Storm

Hi everyone,

This week's prompt for Scribble Picnic is STORM.

I had a few ideas but couldn't get past the 'Storm in a Teacup' phrase so I decided to attempt a quick ink and watercolour interpretation. I wonder if anyone else was on the same wavelength this week?

To check out the other STORM interpretations, click HERE.
To find out how to join in on the fun each week, click HERE.

Our humble leader has given us the next two weeks off but we will be picnicking again on June 6th with the prompt being CLASSIC!  See you there — if I'm not in too much discomfort that is because I have a molar extraction on June 6th, possibly a wisdom tooth too. Wish me luck.

Scribble Picnic - Strawberry

Hi everyone,

This week's Scribble Picnic prompt is STRAWBERRY. 

I was feeling very drained yesterday — maybe the wisdom tooth extraction and a busy week caught up with me — so I very nearly was going to opt out of this week's picnic. I woke up just after 4am this morning and thought — NO! It's not too late to do something — so I quickly got this underway before getting ready to head off for an appointment. 

I was thinking Strawberry Farm as what child doesn't love to go strawberry-picking, right? I've been to the Strawberry Farm a few times with my Granddaughters and they were always so excited to pick their own strawberries. My sketch was inspired by one of the many photos taken from those times.

Yes, it's another work-in-progress but I did at least slap some colour down. 

A quick pencil sketch to start me off -

And the first pass with watercolours - 

Stay tuned for the end result, hopefully later today — that is if I don't botch it up. 

To see what my Picnic pals have been up to this week, click HERE. 

To find out how to join in on the fun each week, click HERE. 

Next week's prompt is STORM. It sounds like we will need to bring our raincoats or brollies to that one. hehe See you there.

P.S. - I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to get around to comment on the entries for last week but I promise to check in on those when I comment at your blogs/Insta for this week's treasures.

Scribble Picnic - Picket Fence

Hi everyone,

I'm a tad late to the picnic this week. The prompt was PICKET FENCE and a work-in-progress is all I have to show for it.  It's been a busy week.

So here are my efforts so far — Two Superb Fairy Wrens on a picket fence. They are done in my Strathmore Tan paper sketchbook with pen and white coloured pencil at this stage. More to come at a later date...

To see what my fellow Scribblers have been up to this week, click HERE.
To join in on the fun each week, click HERE to find out how.

I am having a wisdom tooth extracted tomorrow. Wish me luck...I've never had a wisdom tooth out before so I'm a little nervous.

Scribble Picnic - Quilt

Hi everyone,

Another busy week has passed which included getting an MRI of my brain among other tests after I had pressure inside my head and numbness on my face for over a week — all on the left side. Headaches and a sudden spike in blood pressure too. Results were all clear, thank goodness! The pressure and numbness have now eased. I'm a walking enigma or should I say — limping enigma? haha 

So, getting on with business, the prompt for this weeks Scribble Picnic is QUILT/S.

Many many moons ago, when I worked mainly with acrylic paints on MDF, I painted Baby Birth Plaques. Each plaque was unique in design featuring the birth details of baby.  I would often add a baby sleeping under a quilt so I went with that idea for the prompt.

First the pen sketch

Then a layer of watercolour

And finished up with some pen-work

As an afterthought, I thought you might like to see the one and only quilt I have ever designed and made by sewing machine. It was for my first Grandchild's cot — a girl.

To see what other picnic-goers have been up to this week, click HERE.
The prompt for next week will be PICKET FENCE.
See you there.

Scribble Picnic - Pyjamas

Hi everyone,

This weeks prompt for Scribble Picnic is PYJAMAS.

I knew I wanted to do a little animal character and, as I love pigs, this little guy won out. He is not only super excited to be wearing his new pyjamas to bed but also because his Mum made a matching pair for his little teddy friend.

This is where I'm at for now — just a quick pencil sketch from imagination. It may change when it get to the ink and watercolour part but stay tuned to see the end result.

To see what my fellow scribblers are up to for this weeks picnic, click HERE.
To find out how to join in on the weekly fun, click HERE.
Next week's prompt is QUILT/S but as Michael is going away for a week or so, it has been postponed to the 25th.  See you then.

It's been a while...

I can hardly believe that the last time I posted was back on February 22nd!

Truth be told, I've had a rough month of pain which led to a bit of depression — mostly me feeling sorry for myself and having a pity party at feeling so debilitated. My back, hip, and leg pains are still plaguing me but I'm trying to pick myself up and carry on regardless. Even March being my birthday month wasn't enough to pull me out of the doldrums. And I was actually looking forward to turning 59 on the 23rd as it also marked the year I was born - '59. In the interim, I decided to update my blog a little with a new header image and profile pic.

I have definitely missed Scribble Picnic even though I've not had the urge to sketch since I last blogged. I must apologise to all my fellow Scribble Picnic pals as I've been very lax at commenting and following up on everyone's sketches during my unplanned break. I hope to do better.

So, this week's prompt was WATERING CAN. My imagination ran a little wild but I figured you don't often see a giraffe watering can — so why not?!  More decorative, than practical, but if you look closely you will see the holes on his nose for the water spray.

To see what my fellow Scribblers have been up to for this week, click HERE. 

To find out how to join in on the fun each week, click HERE. 

Next weeks prompt is PYJAMAS...see you then.

Scribble Picnic - Fill in the Blank

This week's prompt was a 'Fill in the blank' which was basically to use a stumpy rectangle.

This is my take...I thought of glasses from the beginning in a variety of ways but this little critter won out. I guess his camera could pass for the prompt too.

First the pen sketch 

A couple of watercolour layers to build colour

Then some Prismacolor pencils and a Posca paint marker for highlights to finish him

To see what the other Scribblers have done for this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join us each week, click HERE.
Next week's prompt is 'One of a kind'....see you at the picnic!

Scribble Picnic - Mushy

What a week it has been so far! We have had very hot, humid days which are typical of our summer but, as we don't have an air-conditioner, we suffer temps around 38°C/100.4°F.  We've had some very nasty super-cell storms move through the past few nights one of which caused widespread damage...over 100,000 homes in our region lost power for between 12 to 48 hours. Power-lines and trees were down all over the place...debris everywhere. It was scary and reminded me of a cyclone. I feel so grateful that we at least did not lose power.

I had to bring my Mum over to our place for a day as she'd lost power and phone which she needs for her Medic-alert. She was without both for 24 hours.

On top of that, the unbearable humidity caused sauna-like conditions and flared up my asthma...add to that my wisdom tooth which also decided I was due a painful infection at this time. Needless to say,  it has not been a pleasant week at all.  I am now on antibiotics. And yes, I'm still dealing with chronic back and hip pain....somebody, just recycle me, or shut me up now! haha

More dangerous storms are expected this evening so I'm getting this post in early...just in case we lose power.

After all that, I did manage this week's Scribble Picnic sketch, albeit a very quick one.

The prompt was 'MUSHY' and, for the life of me, I just couldn't get mushy peas out of my head. English-style mushy peas are a favourite of mine...best cooked from the dried whole peas. YUMMY!

Here is my take....

To see what my fellow Picnic pals have done this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join us each week, click HERE.
Next week, we have a 'Fill in the blank' prompt...can't wait to see what it is.

Scribble Picnic - Let's Dance

Hi everyone,

This week's Scribble Picnic prompt was LET'S DANCE!

I had a few ideas come to mind but the one that stuck in my head was 'flamingos dancing' and that's what I went with. This one was fun and also a little tedious as I tried to figure out how I was going to manage those wings. I could see the end result in my head but transferring it to paper was not as easy.

This week, I used my Strathmore Grey-toned sketchbook.

First a rough pen sketch with a hint of colour with Prismacolor pencils. You can see where I kinda wrecked her shoe but, when working in pen, you just have to go with it and learn to love the mistakes. They add character, right?

Another layer of colour with watercolours

Another layer with more details in black ink and white highlights to finish off.  Now, this dazzling couple are ready to hit the dance floor. Don't you just love his socks? haha And I think I managed a pretty good 'save' with her shoe too, don't you think?

To see what the other Scribblers have done for the picnic this week, click HERE.
To find out how you can join in on the fun each week, click HERE.
Next week's prompt is MUSHY! I have one idea straight off the bat but not sure if I'll go with it yet. How about you?

Scribble Picnic - Spicy

This week's Scribble Picnic prompt is SPICY!

I absolutely adore hot, spicy food — Mexican, Indian, Asian — just love it!

How about you? Do you ever have a yearning for food that will have your mouth on fire, your nose running, and tears streaming down your face?

When I first turned my attention to this week's prompt, the following image came to mind and I knew it had to be the one.

Tabasco sauce being the 'spicy' part. All this time, I had thought that Tabasco sauce was Mexican but, in fact, it was created in Avery Island, Louisiana, by Edmund McIlhenny. He was granted the patent for it in 1870. While it wasn't created in Mexico, this hot spicy number was named after Tabasco peppers which were named after the Mexican state of Tabasco.

A rough sketch to start with

The end result - A mix of watercolours, ballpoint, and Prismacolor pencils in a Strathmore Tan-toned sketchbook.

To see what my fellow picnickers have done for this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join us each week, click HERE.

I was too late to get on the Linky gadget last week but, for those of you who don't follow my Instagram feed, here was my late entry for TABLECLOTH.

I wonder what Michael has in store for us next week? See you at the picnic!

Scribble Picnic - Hot Chocolate

The Scribble Picnic prompt for this week is HOT CHOCOLATE.

I usually make quite a few hot chocolate drinks during our winter months. There's just something about that mug of hot sweetness that make me feel spoiled, cosy, and warm. I never have marshmallows in mine though. I hate the thought of hot, gooey marshmallow. Ewwww!  Definitely not for me. I've never had toasted marshmallows around a campfire either for the same reason.

Marshmallows have always been a favourite but I like them nice and firm....not hot and gooey. I used to make them and roll them in toasted coconut.  They even have vegan marshmallows now so I don't miss out but — back to hot chocolate. I make mine with Cadburys Drinking Chocolate powder, a dash of vanilla essence, and soy milk mixed together in a saucepan. When hot enough, I froth it up with the electric hand mixer. After pouring it into our mugs, I drizzle chocolate syrup over the froth. OH, so yummy!

My sketch today is done with ink, watercolour, and Prismacolor pencils using a copyright-free image which I altered somewhat...

To see what other participants have put up for this week, click HERE.
To find out how to join in each week, click HERE.

The drink was actually NOT the first HOT CHOCOLATE that came to mind but I didn't get time to sketch them. Who remembers the Hot Chocolate group in the late 70's and 80's?   Songs like You Sexy Thing, Every 1's a Winner, So You Win Again, Emma and....It Started with a Kiss....

Thought I'd end off this post with one of their video clips. Enjoy!


Next week's prompt is TABLE CLOTH...see you at the picnic!