Whatever is on my desk

Some days, I just don't have the energy to go out sketching or to paint. Then I just take a few favourite objects and I draw them. And I love dropping watercolour or water onto watersoluble ink and watching the movement of pigments on the page.

 

Sketching in town with Kim

It was wonderful to catch up with Kim, whom I had met in Mumbai. She was in Dublin for a brief visit. We started the morning with scones and tea in Bewleys, then a little bit of sketching in St Stephen's Green. We had to take shelter from the rain, twice. But it was fun. The second time, a group of tourists joined us under the canopy. I couldn't see anything, so I drew one of the guides and two of the tourists. I think anyone can call themselves a tour guide these days. They didn't even know what year Ireland became independent. It's 1921. They thought it was 1939. On the other hand, they told a lovely story about the park keeper continuing to feed the ducks, and both sides (the Irish in the park and the British on top of the Shelbourne hotel) holding their fire until he was safely back inside the park keeper's lodge.