whilst cleaning my studio work station, it was once used as an anaesthetic trolley, I came across this old sketchbook which was used whilst I was a registered nurse. It shows theatre life a few years back at The North Devon District Hospital. I am now retired.
A series of pen and ink drawings made during the pandemic in 2020. These are nurses and ODPs (operating department practitioners) who worked with me at The North Devon District Hospital.
I cycle the North Devon coast regularly and passing this wind blown tree at the top of Down Lane near Woolacombe recalled an old pen and ink drawing I did years ago. Not much has changed except the gate the overgrowth and instead of grazing sheep corn is now grown; I always liked the sheep’s wool hanging off the barbed wire in the ink drawing. The trees are still almost identical this is perhaps due to the strong coastal winds keeping their growth in check.
Some pen and ink doodles from this year’s Glastonbury Festival; all were drawn in Tom’s Bar and on the hallowed ground of Tom’s Field. Tom’s Field is where an old grey mare called Tom was kept and where all of us workers now eat, drink and are entertained during the festival. Quite a magical and cathartic place! Al
Today I’ve spent time sketching at Buck’s Mills on the North Devon Coast. Such a peaceful place to make five minute pen sketches sitting in the warmth of the sun. I love this time of year when the flowers are in full colour and there’s a sprinkling of Cow Parsley everywhere. The sketches will hopefully be used in a forthcoming painting. Al
A few old sketchs from my past. Above is a pencil sketch of a Tibetan prayer wheel drawn whilst living in Kathmandu Nepal, this I obtained and now resides in a cabinet in my studio.
Below, the first is a pen and ink drawing of where we lived in Bradiford North Devon and on the distant hill you can see the Upcott Folly. The next pen and ink is of Barnstaple Parish Church where my wife and I were married over 37 years ago. The third is of Tarr Steps a medievel clapper bridge in the Exmoor National Park a particular favourite walk of ours. The walk from Withypool to the pub at Tarr Steps is wonderful during the summer and offers opportunities for wild swimming.
A quick look through a forgotten folder found behind some canvasses in my studio. If there’s anything you like please let me know as all are for sale! The music is a little noodling I did on my guitar a few years ago and I entitled it Costalotcoffee!
A few more pen & ink drawings from the past including various North Devon scenes. All drawn on Fisk draughting film and using Staedler mapping pens although now I prefer to use traditional nib or Unibal pens. Please click on an image to see it in full resolution! Al
A print from a sketch I completed many years ago on a visit to a local village called Clovelly. This came to mind on a recent trip with my wife and after found some prints in one of my print drawers. Below is the sketch made on a lovely sunny day with the Red Lion Hotel in all it’s glory and above a hand washed water colour rendering!
A few paintings and pen & ink illustrations from the past,
Al Brown Artist. 