Sunday 1 May 2011

Week 17



I am pleased to say this is week 17, that means a third of the year has been completed and that must mean a give- away.  So to enter tell me which week you like the most and why,  and please let me know where you are from.....I am curious to know which countries are following this blog.   The winner will be picked 15th May  and  will receive a little prize.  
My drawing is of a beautiful shell I found last week,  with the limpet growing on the side and the other swirling shaped growths.  I thought this was a great subject to draw and the other flat shell matched with  similar colours.   I added the little piece of seaweed,  all found together as I walked along the shore.  I did collect other objects but decided I liked these best.   I have let you see my first pencil  sketch and then the finished page.  I used the acrylic inks and a little help with colouring using Derwent signature pencils.  I am wearing out my fine number one sable brush.
Yesterday I went for my Saturday walk.  I have been away this week so as I stepped onto the shore I could tell how dry it has been by the pale coloured sand.  It was very white in patches where the salt has dried on top of the sand by the hot sun.   The sheep had gone,  all was quiet except for two girls dressed in shorts and vests  splashing around and kicking the water up,  their dog equally enjoying the fun and  making lots of noise as it bounced around in the water.   I was wearing a jumper and scarf with my hat in hand!  There was actually a strong  breeze blowing  from the North,  I was glad to be warm.  The sand was covered in sheep footprints and the shore in sheep poo.  The green grass has been enjoyed by the sheep, who will be brought back  next week to graze again on the grass.  I noticed although we had quite a full tide that filled the tidal river the sand was cracking in places and some more huge chunks had fallen from the banks,  the ground was so dry.    Lots and lots of crabs,  the large ones broken up and eaten with legs and empty shells discarded.  I found lots of little shells and some rather battered feathers.  I saw patches of white feathers on the sand and then discovered the remains of a bird,  almost certain the work of a hawk or other bird of prey.  A second dead bird on the grassy shore has been there slowly rotting for a couple of weeks.    No sign of the swan but I did find one of her feathers, so she is around somewhere.
It is a pleasure to walk with the clear blue sky and crisp views of the hills.   The fields and surrounding country side  is all looking green and lush.   All the pools of water have dried up,  hard to believe the swan was swimming on water on the grass just a week  ago.  Wild flowers and plants have filled the edges by the railway lines and attract butterflies and bees,  I spotted an orange tipped butterfly.   Birds calling out, others move around the sand looking for food.   We are crossing our fingers this lovely sunny weather lasts.  I reluctantly head for home,  nearly time for tea,  the sky is blue and the views are  beautiful,  another pretty  sunset to enjoy.
Thank you for the lovely comments.  Hope you like page 17, press for close up.       Millyx

20 comments:

Dan said...

Hi Milly
I love the detail you've captured of the texture of the shell itself together with the little limpets clinging on, and your descriptions of the shore itself.
It has been so dry here on our estuary too! The breeze that takes the heat out of the day dries things out even more.
Our swans are guarding a nest, I think, so hopefully we might see a cygnet soon.
Dan
-x-

Diana said...

OOOH,, it's hard to decide which one I like best but this week is the one, The grace of the shells and that wonderful barnacle,you captured it. I love them all but this is my favorite. Keep it up. Love,Diana

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

What a find! Love the way you have rendered the shell with the barnacle and worm casts. And as to the giveaway, how to choose a favourite, when all of the illustrations are terrific!

Melody said...

I love the little squiggly things growing on the shell; it looks like little teeny worms to me ~ gives it much character! Great soft/warm tones in the shells! :) For the record i love all your drawings ~ it would be just too hard to choose just one drawing!

Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns) said...

I won't even try to pick among all your gorgeous drawings. I will say, though, that the shell with the limpet attached and the lacy growths on one side is unusually beautiful and your rendering exquisite.

irinasztukowski said...

I love the texture Milly. Great job!
Thanks,
Irina

Carol Creech said...

Hi Milly,

What a great composition! I love seeing your sketch in progress and then the finished painting. My favorite is definitely the shell with the limpet and swirling growths - fantastic patterns and curves!

I just returned from an art retreat weekend, so I finally had a little time to hike and sketch and just drink in the fresh air and sounds of nature. It was fabulous!
Carol

Gill said...

how can I possibly choose? it's like choosing your favourite child!
I love the details of today's pictures and especially the mermaids purses (which I collect!) of Week 12
Random note - I saw a Red Kite here in Gloucestershire yesterday

Frances said...

Well Milly, you've given us a quite a challenge, in asking us to select a favorite week amongst all the beautiful pages in your sketchbook!

Thank you, though, for inviting me to take a look back through the pages to the beginning of the year. It's fascinating to see how the arrangements of drawings and paintings have evolved.

If pressed for personal favorites, I'd pick week 12 because I am drawn to the tangles of two gifts from the sea, and week 14 because I like the way the images dance across the page.

It's such fun to see what you have seen, week by week! xo

Michelle Palmer said...

Oh Milly~ each week I say, "This one is my favorite, so far..." Each of your sketches and the words you share take me on the most pleasant walks. Thank you for all you share!
Hugs from the Finger Lakes Region of New York State~
Michelle

Teresa said...

Beautiful, beautiful! Love the swirly shapes on the shell...they look like they belong there as perfect decoration!

Radcliffe said...

All your weeks are beautiful but I especially loved week 14, where the seaweed necklaces were magical. I now have beautiful pictures in my head of mermaids wearing necklaces of seaweed that sparkle with jewels. Radders x

suz said...

The minute this page opened it took my breath away. The shell is so beautiful.
I looked back thru the last 16 weeks and I think my 2nd favorite is week 10 with the feathers. I also love week 8 for the colors, week 5 for the colors and composition and all the drawings of oak leaves. I've become very fond of mermaid's purses as well. I live in New England, New Hampshire to be exact. We have amazing autumn colors here and I'm very partial to maple trees. However, I'll never look at oak trees the same now. There is an old one across the street from my new place and I've watched it thru autumn and winter and now into spring. You've given me new eyes.
I also love your description of your walks - it's almost like walking with you.

Windsongs and Wordhoards said...

Now you've set a hard task there, but it's been a pleasure to take a good long look back through all your weeks!
For me its not just the illustration alone, but all the conjured sounds and images as you describe your walks and the stories and memories attached to them, like the little boy searching with you for crabs, the rushing train and of course the elusive swan! I'm really enjoying the journey...
I just adore your feathers of weeks 4 and 10, but then there's the fascinating collections of weeks 5, 6 and 13 that I love for their gorgeous rich colours and the flowing arrangemets across the page...
If I had to choose just one I think it would have to be week 10 - the feathers are so wildly wind-worn and I hear the wind's fingers and the sea surge in them...
Carrie :) (Somerset UK)

ellie said...

Beautiful shell XX I need inspiration to get some painting done over the coming weeks and I thought where else than look on your blog for plenty of inspiration! Not that I could ever come up to your standard !! Love all your work xxx

wandering said...

The shells are beautiful! And I like the crabs before a lot too..; I think that page must be my favourite. We had crabshells all over the house last year - eldest daughter couldn't bear to part with them..
Best wishes! (from the UK..)

Ruth said...

Only just found your blog, and I am so pleased I did. Your drawings are fantastic. Your very talented :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your drawings are wonderful. I wish I could capture the world around me as beautifully as you do. Best wishes, Tammy

Posie said...

Milly I am just catching up after several hectic weeks here. I love week 10 the best, because the feathers are so delicate that you found, washed up wit the high tides. You capture their delicacy beautifully, and I loved treading with you in the blog along the beach with the graceful swan. It was a hard choice as the shell drawing from last week is so perfect too, there is something really eye catching in your interpretation of it.
Milly I hope there will be another project to follow.
PS I am from the Midlands, but live in the hebrides.
Milly I wasn't sure where to post this as I would love to be included in your draw.
Best wishes Posie

Posie said...

Oh Milly I see my earlier comment was deleted...I loved week 10, I thought the feathers were so delicate, but I also love the shells you have drawn this week. I loved the solitary beach walk in the wind, with the high tides and the swans.
Best wishes,
Posie