SPORTS PORTRAIT ARTIST

Monday, 8 June 2015

EPSOM DOWNS RACING ON OAKS DAY

FRIDAY BEFORE DERBY DAY WAS OAKS DAY, THE FIRST WEEKEND IN JUNE

The Friday racing, before the Saturday of the famous flat race, The Derby, is known as Invested Ladies Day. The Oaks flat race held that day is a race for top class fillies.

Also to be seen at Epsom last Friday was some more top class fillies (sorry for sexist comment) as the ladies dress up in lovely outfits, complete with hats and very very high heeled shoes. There is a contest to award a prize to the lady with the best outfit.

Link to information about next year's Lady's Day Epsom Racecourse Lady's Day, 2016

EPSOM HEATH

This is where we prefer to sit, it is the far side of the course from the grandstand, and being grassy, it is excellent for a picnic. The weather was sunny, the racegoers in a fun mood, and all seemed to enjoy the day.

Some of the younger men punters stripped off their shirts, possibly to attract the attention of the ladies! There was a few little children running around, and the whole atmosphere was one of fun, excitement and enjoyment.

Away from the course is a large fairground with alarmingly frightening rides, the kind that make you throw up your picnic!

Epsom punters and bookie.

The Heath, Epsom with screens in the background

The runners flash past rather fast - thundering hooves.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ROSE SHOW, VINCENT SQUARE

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY HELD A ROSE SHOW OVER ONE WEEKEND

The show was in the RHS Halls in Vincent Square, Westminster, London.

In the square as I walked along I saw a cricket match taking place. The square is a lovely big green space in the middle of Victoria, lined with trees, and there is a pavilion. I thought of doing a drawing of the cricketers later, but then it started to pour with rain and 'play was abandoned'.

The show was interesting though, and I met an excellent young artist from Birmingham, Emma Hardicker, who produces inspirational textile designs, prints, greeting cards, cushions and small printed fabric bags. I bought some of her lovely cards.

Here is a link to her website www.emmaherdicker.com

I sat upstairs in the cafe, and did this quick drawing of part of the display area in the great hall. Most of the rose bushes in the show were not in flower, so it was possible to buy and carry home without damaging fragile blossoms.

I was tempted but realised I have nowhere suitable for another rose, and the plants in their pots would have been very heavy to carry.

RHS Rose Show, Vincent Square, London

LONDON TRIATHLON IN HYDE PARK

THE BIG EVENT WEEKEND FOR TRIATHLETES WAS HELD IN HYDE PARK AGAIN THIS YEAR

This time I went along to the first day, when nothing much was happening. The competitors were not running, swimming or cycling.

The course was marked out with huge inflated arches over the footpaths, there were the usual metal fences everywhere along the course and a big 'village' selling every possible goods which might appeal to triathletes.

Since I was tired from a long walk from Horse Guards Parade, past Buckingham Palace and through most of Hyde Park by the Serpentine, I sat down and did this sketch. Need I add, somebody came along and sat on the end of the bench, obscuring my view. This often happens!

By the Serpentine, Triathlon weekend

HORSE GUARDS PARADE

Earlier the same day I enjoyed watching the troops parading down The Mall, bands playing merrily.

In my sketch, also later obscured by a pushy young woman, you can see the red stands in the Horse Guards, and the policemen lining the route.

It was the Saturday of the Major General's Review, Trooping the Colour. This was a full dress rehearsal of the Queen's Birthday Parade, to be held on 13 June, 2015.

View of Horse Guards Parade, before the troops arrived

V & A MUSEUM, EXHIBITION OF FASHION

V & A MUSEUM, SOUTH KENSINGTON HAS AN EXHIBITION OF WORK BY THE LATE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen is the designer I know very little about, except that his fashion design was delightfully surreal and unconventional.

I visited the 'block-buster' exhibition intending to do a quick drawing or two, but found out at the entrance that drawing was not permitted. This was a big disappointment.

I walked along to the Fashion Department of the Museum and stopped to draw one of the display cases, where the lighting was very dim. The displays were of 1960s clothes, including Mary Quant, Jean Paul Gautier and Perla, the maker of iconic lady's underwear. Here is the sketch.

V & A Museum Fashion Display, South Kensington

VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN LONDON, 2015

THE VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN LONDON, MAY 2015

I was in Green Park, near Horse Guards Parade, on the Sunday of this particular weekend.

I drew the Hawker Hurricane Mk II, part of a display of World War 2 military vehicles which was on display in this lovely park.

Later I drew a small tank, which was parked facing The Mall, bright with flags.

While we were there, we saw HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall walk from Clarence House to the big marquee in the park. Inside, the veterans from the earlier parade were having a meal and chatting to the guests. They seemed to be enjoying all the excitement.

Hawker Hurricane MkII

Tank in The Mall, VEDay 70

SUMMER TIME - AND THE SKETCHING GETS EASIER IN THE SUNSHINE

SKETCHING IN LONDON IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER - GREAT WEATHER SO FAR.

The Morden Hall Park May Fair is in a green oasis of river and meadows. but livened up every year for the popular May Fair, complete with animals and birds in pens to pet, the usual Dodgems and Roundabouts or Carousals, plus several Bouncy Castles. Here are my sketches.

Terrier Racing, new to me but fun!

By the bouncy castle

Two small hairy pigs

The Dodgems

DEEN CITY FARM

A couple of weeks later I went to see the animals at Deen City Farm, near the River Wandle in South London. A bit difficult to draw the animals here, as there were so many families busily enjoying themselves.