Misc Media

A bit of a squash

Posted on by Mel Hendy
It's a squash. Watercolour (main image) with pencil study. This was done for my monthly art group challenge on the subject of 'Botanical'. We were privileged to have a demonstration by the incredible Jon Evans (botanical artist) the previous month and he explained what was meant by botanial illustrations so I thought I'd have a go. I love squashes, they are really fascinating because they come in such extraordinary variety and you can eat them as well - brilliant! (Spicy soup, or just ...
More

Lady Peckett’s Yard

Posted on by Mel Hendy
Lady Peckett's Yard, looking down. Ink line drawing on watercolour paper. I love this little lane, it's like stepping back in time. I wish the whole city still looked like this but happily, there are plenty of these tiny alleyways all over York and the city is steeped in character so there are many evocative places where the past still pervades the present.
More

Superheroes

Posted on by Mel Hendy
Superheroes This was the title of the monthly art challenge my daughter set me. Open to any interpretation of this theme, the choices were numerous. I initially considered a montage of Marvel characters and then briefly considered inventing my own superhero but that just led to a whole bunch of questionable ideas so I quickly moved on. I liked the concept of paying tribute to real-life superheros but it's impossible to pick one; it's not just the emergency services, it's anyone who ma...
More

A Very British Picnic

Posted on by Mel Hendy
Aahh - the picnic. It's never how you think it will be. This was done for the art group monthly challenge for June on the subject of 'Picnic Time'. Naturally my head was filled with glorious compositions of fondant fancies, Battenberg, scones, champagne, cherries and tiny sandwiches of yummy things all laid out perfectly on a windless, cloudless sunny day. Hmm. I'm not sure I've ever been on a picnic like that. Let's face it - it sounds idyllic. It's terribly Famous Five and often ma...
More

In The Music

Posted on by Mel Hendy
In The Music (KONGOS) Pencil illustration for this brilliant song which wonderfully showcases the accordion, although I really love the drumming on this track - just amazing! It's been ages since I got my pencils out and this was a very enjoyable reason to do so again. The emoji faces and various other images are inspired by the lyrics and you can test your eyesight and knowledge of other awesome KONGOS songs by studying the stonework on the ruins.
More

Blood Moon

Posted on by Mel Hendy
Blood Moon over Glastonbury Tor. A3, ink, watercolour and pencil crayon. Painted for local art group challenge on subject of 'Moonlight'. Alas, I have not actually seen this particular sight but I did see a blood moon once, while I was driving through town; it was a bit of a shock and I very nearly drove into some traffic lights. Awe-inspiring.
More

Sleeping Beasties

Posted on by Mel Hendy
I could have called it 'Sleeping Beauties' but one letter makes all the difference..! Pencil crayon on pastel paper. I don't like using pastels, they are messy and make my teeth stand on end, but I love the texture of good quality pastel paper and it's fine for using with pencil crayon. This was done for the May 2020 art group challenge on the theme of 'At Home' - and that was decided WAY before Coronavirus imprisoned everyone! I did think about doing an underwhelming still-life of t...
More