Liz Ackerley from ScribbleMyStreet
I have to say that I have been thinking about several different aspects of drawing, going off in all directions and getting myself in a bit of a spin! I have been starting to incorporate more people drawing into my sketchbook drawings, but at the same time, have started Sketchbook skool Storytelling and have additionally been exploring some different approaches to my watercolour work. Further to all this, I read a very thought proving blog by Fred Lynch entitled : Pictures of Pictures on the Urban Sketchers site. It got me really thinking about the purpose of my sketch book scribbles and how I wanted to be able to tell stories through my drawings, not just produce pictures of well known landmarks and buildings! In the words of Fred Lynch in his blog: ‘We can’t just show things, we have to say things’. I have always maintained that my interest in urban sketching is related to reportage and being able to tell stories of Urban Life, however, until recently, I think I have been a little caught up with the mechanics of drawing as opposed to using the drawing to describe and illustrate: something that I have an enthusiasm for and a unique angle upon. I am starting to think quite differently about my drawings now, although it is probably true to say that I need much more practice in exploring how I communicate most effectively in my sketches. Here is a somewhat eclectic mix of some of my drawings from the week.
A visit to Stockport Vintage Fair
Last weekend I attended the Fair alongside other Manchester Urban Sketchers. What a fabulous building to sketch and what an extraordinary and electic mix of stalls, from clothes to pictures, to household items: a real step back in time. A central stall caught my eye with its flurry of activity and I just managed to catch a little girl buying an old wooden dolls house. The building itself is stunning too, inside and out but I found it lovely to capture the look of the building, having already documented activities going on inside.
A theatre trip in Cheshire
Another trip back in time with a small local production of ‘An Ideal Husband’ by Oscar Wilde. Fortunately, I have an ideal husband who doesn’t mind me sitting drawing whilst we watched the production! I found it hard to capture all the changing costumes and scenery but feel that what was captured does give a flavour of the play although it would have been better to include captions and narrative.
Our boutique allotment
This is a great time of year on the allotment site with everything growing well and much in the way of structures : bean canes, pea sticks, wigwams. I am aware that telling the story of the allotment can be a challenging one: a sea of green! I wanted to create a narrative with the canes and with simple, bold colour and strong contrast.
A quick trip to the Trafford Centre
An eclectic mix of elements! This is the entranceway into the restaurant area and China Town. The car adds another slightly surreal prop in a somewhat ostentatious space that is this well known shopping centre! Of course there were plenty of people moving through the space at a steady rate!
Dilapidated garages
I have wanted to capture these garages and their surroundings for a while! They are rather attractive in their dishevelled state and it is fascinating that they are almost invisible, on the edge of activities which you might think would ensure their repair/change. The wood, pipes and barbed wire make for an interesting image!
I look forward to sharing more of my storytelling adventures.
Artists Blog: https://scribblemystreet.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/let-me-tell-you-a-story/comment-page-1/#comment-72