THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

3 October 2013

SKETCHING WILLIAM


Some months ago, Ann at http://sketchingwilliam.blogspot.co.uk/ sent me lovely little painting she did of Snippet and, ever since, I've been trying to get round to reciprocating. Ann does a sketch of her lovely Lurcher William every day and it's a great blog to visit, especially if you need cheering up. So, today it is TIPPING down with rain and I have all the lights on. I am totally preoccupied with worry about a friend who has given birth to her baby two months early. He is not at all well and I needed to concentrate on something else. So here is my sketch of William. I'm keenly aware that I'm barely drawing at the moment with all sorts of stuff taking precedence, so it was nice to do something creative rather than administrative or emotive. 

Thanks to those of you who have submitted you favourite Christmas card options on the last post. I could do with more, so do please have a look if you haven't already. Fascinating which ones are winning but more data would be appreciated:

http://dartmoorramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/christmas-cards-anyone.html 

Until next time, when I hope to be feeling a bit sunnier, here's a picture I took more than a week ago in a brief respite from the fog and rain: a yellow Buddleia which sits in a wilderness on the way down the drive. It could be a different world looking out of the window today.



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39 comments:

  1. ann @ studiohyde3 October 2013 at 11:54

    Oh my goodness Em, this is brilliant! You have SO captured William, his stance and expression, there is no doubting it is the lad himself. I'm really looking forward to receiving this and seeing it in person. Many Thanks....ann

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  2. mrsnesbitt3 October 2013 at 12:08

    Wow ..fantastic! I should draw more - Bing our german shepherd is 1 this month, a good place to start do you think?

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    1. Em Parkinson3 October 2013 at 12:55

      Just starting is the most difficult part for me! Just pick up a pencil when you have a spare hour and know you're not going to be interrupted. I must go and see Bing on your blog, assuming there are pictures there....

      Delete
  3. Anonymous3 October 2013 at 12:33

    Lovely drawing em. Would you do one of teddy in a similar medium? Have a think about what you'd charge and let me know? Sending positive thoughts for your friend and the little one. What a worry. I really hope everything works out alright. Thinking of you x

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    1. Em Parkinson3 October 2013 at 13:02

      Of course CT. You'd need to send some files to me (decent sized ones if possible) of the kind of positions you'd like. Because he's very pale, he might suit a bit of colour or perhaps on darker paper. I'll have a think about it when I see him properly and discuss with you if you still want to go ahead. Rates are at the top of the page but for followers I think I should do it for less! Do you think £20.00 would be acceptable? Just let me know. x

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3 October 2013 at 16:01

      Great! I'll email you x

      Delete
  4. Jane and Chris3 October 2013 at 12:55

    Our pets bring comfort in so many ways.
    Jane x

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    1. Em Parkinson3 October 2013 at 12:56

      They really do Jane. Empathy without emotion or ego. x

      Delete
  5. Tom Stephenson3 October 2013 at 12:56

    That's a great drawing of the Lurcher.

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  6. Kath3 October 2013 at 13:51

    yes I recognised him immediately!

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  7. Anonymous3 October 2013 at 14:09

    A lovely sketch Em :-) I've been enjoying a catch up with your blog and you've got some lovely images lately, the moon rising over Dartmoor and all the lovely fungi being particular favourites. The Christmas card shots were also enjoyable and make me look forward to the coming winter and what it may or may not bring. My five favourites were 4, 6, 8, 10, & 13 with 4 and 8 being particular favourites.

    Best wishes to your friend and her newborn :-)

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    1. Em Parkinson3 October 2013 at 14:14

      Thanks David, on every count. Number 8 is way ahead of all the others and will definitely be in the pack!

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  8. Margaret Birding For Pleasure3 October 2013 at 16:38

    HI Em I love the sketch of William. I also love the photo of the bee, amazing light in the shot.

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  9. rusty duck3 October 2013 at 17:28

    Best wishes to your friend and baby.
    It's a great drawing Em.

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    1. Em Parkinson3 October 2013 at 19:36

      Thanks Jess. It makes my own problems feel pretty small.

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  10. The Weaver of Grass3 October 2013 at 19:23

    William looks adorable - I love lurchers.
    That last photo really cheered me up - it is thick fog here and has just started to pour with rain, which will clear the fog. It is on 7pm but it is pitch dark and very dismal. Hope there is an improvement in the health of that early baby.

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    1. Em Parkinson3 October 2013 at 19:38

      It rained here all day WITH the fog but has now stopped thank goodness. Jack fell in the stream and nearly got washed away!

      I'm going to see the friend in hospital tomorrow so I should know more. Thanks to everyone for their good wishes.

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  11. The Three Muleteers3 October 2013 at 19:37

    LOVE the picture of William - you have captured him perfectly!

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  12. SeagullSuzie3 October 2013 at 20:04

    Hi Em, I am so sorry to hear about your friend and her baby-how worrying, 2 months is very early and it might be a long and fretful recovery. I absolutely love your sketch of William, it's not too complicated (if you know what I mean) but captures the spirit of the animal so well. I would love a sketch of one of my cats-he's very special to us and think he would suit this type of portrait.

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 10:59

      As I said to CT, £20.00 for followers! Just email me a good selection of photos you like to emparko@gmail.com if you think that's okay and I'll let you know if I think I can do something you'll be happy with.

      Things aren't looking great today but I'll have more news by tomorrow I hope.

      Delete
  13. Lou Mary3 October 2013 at 20:14

    What a lovely sketch! I do hope your friend and bubba improve. I'm just watching The wonder of dogs.. lovely program! It would take your mind off things I'm sure :)

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 11:01

      I keep trying to watch that but Snippet and Jack make it impossible. Neither of them are very bright and they keep barking so I have to turn it over!

      Delete
  14. Gail H. Ragsdale3 October 2013 at 22:09

    Lovely sketch! You really should do more as you are so talented!

    Hope your friend and her baby are okay.

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 11:02

      It's finding the time Gail, but I know you're right. I must try Jack sometime but he's a bit flawless looking at the moment.

      Delete
  15. Wendy3 October 2013 at 22:47

    A wonderful sketch, Em. Sorry to hear about your friend and her baby - hope everything is well there. I love the bee on the buddleia - a bit of sunshine really does transform everything, doesn't it?

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 11:03

      The sun has just come out as I'm writing this.....oh....gone again. Never mind; just a glimpse is enough to raise the spirits at the moment.

      Delete
  16. HappyK3 October 2013 at 23:28

    Love the sketch. Great job!!!!

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  17. angryparsnip4 October 2013 at 01:46

    Lovely sketch of William !
    I just posted on your card list and I have explained there ... like you I like 9 much better than 8

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 11:05

      Hoorah! However, We're very much out-voted. I might just print it anyway. Thanks Parsnip.

      Delete
  18. ~Kim at Golden Pines~4 October 2013 at 03:12

    Before I even started reading your post, I recognized William right away--What talent you have!

    On a gloomy day, a sunny photo is a great way to end the day! :-)

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 11:06

      He's a very distinctive character isn't he? A more detailed drawing could take days with all that fur.

      Delete
  19. Ragged Robin4 October 2013 at 10:29

    So sorry to hear about your friend and her baby - I do so hope everything is well.

    The sketch of William is superb - you have such a talent :)

    The bee and buddleia photo is beautiful and a great way to cheer up yet another rainy day here!

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    1. Em Parkinson4 October 2013 at 11:07

      I'm sitting here with everything crossed but it's not looking great at the moment. Thanks for your good wishes.

      Delete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It's great to read them and I will always try to reply.

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