All over breakfast
A damp day at the Trading Post Coffee Roasters, Brighton, UK. Damn fine cup of coffee.
Pretending it’s not winter
Whilst the temperatures in the UK teeter above freezing, I’m warming myself up by remembering lying in a hammock, sipping juice from a huge freshly plucked coconut by the tiny island of Hon Mot, a year ago today.
The island is connected to Phu Quoc by the wobbly ‘monkey bridge’, just visible in the far right of the sketch.
Pasty legs and wonky feet are all you need to make life sweet
In between slaughtering chickens, the charismatic café owner gave these two fishermen (presumably her sons) a right ear-bending every time they stopped work to watch me sketch!
No pressure!
Hanging out in Hoi An
Even in the endless deluge of monsoon season, the ancient town, and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An is awash with colour.
When I visited this time last year, we spent the days wading through puddles, wandering through the lantern filled shops and of course, getting measured at the tailors.
View from Hoi An Roastery, Japanese Bridge
It’s common for Hoi An to suffer flooding, but that week, the waters of the Thu Bon river stayed safely between the river banks, just teetering on the verge of overflowing.
The only way to drip dry, was to consume huge amounts of strong, smoky, sugar-rich Vietnamese coffee in the various Hoi An Roastery’s scattered around the town.
Tarragona, city of human towers
The lovely city of Tarragona was one of the places the human towers originated. No human towers today, but I was lucky enough to get free entry to the 1st century roman tower, as the city celebrates Tarraco’s 17 years as a World Heritage Site.
Stunning views and just time for a quick sketch of the cathedral before descending through the throngs of roman re-enactors!
Castellers in Catalonia
Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia teaching children to build human castles at the Jardins de Frederica Montsen, Barcelona.
House at the Black Madonna
An avant-garde moment at the cubist, Grand Cafe Orient, Prague.
The cafe is on the second floor of the House at the Black Madonna. Originally built as a department store, it now hosts two gorgeous cafe’s, the Czech Cubism exhibition and the most stunning staircase.
Horsey horsey don’t you stop
I love David Černy’s satiric sculpture of King Wenceslas on his upside down dead horse, which dangles proudly from the Art Nouveau dome in the Lucerna Palace shopping centre. Very statesmanlike. The lolling tongue is a particularly nice touch!
Mahler’s 9th
The Prague Symphony Orchestra playing Mahler’s 9th symphony in the beautiful Art Nouveau, Municipal House in Prague.
Inktober 2017: day thirty one
For my last Inktober sketch, I wandered the residential streets of Brighton, hoping to sketch Halloween pumpkins in a doorway. Sadly it wasn’t possible without looking creepy, and not in a good way.
Pumpkinless myself, I was reduced to carving a Halloween papaya whilst watching the 1990’s TV mini-series of Stephen King’s ‘IT’. A true horror of everyday sexism.
Crimes against papaya
That Ketchup really came in handy over the last week!
I’ve really enjoyed participating in Jake Parker’s Inktober. It’s been a real challenge to produce and post something every day, as well as share work I’m not always happy with.
I’ve ruined a rucksack, a carpet and probably left unsightly stains all over Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
However, I’ve had a lovely set of supporters who have really kept me going, so thank you so much for your encouraging comments, views and likes!
I’m really looking forward to ditching the 3.5kg’s of ink bottles, pens and various sketchbooks I’ve carried everywhere this month. I’m going to be floating on air, with just one sketchbook, my tiny paint palette and a couple of pens!
Inktober 2017 day twenty six
Séance, miniature halloween creepiness in a container, courtesy of the Brighton Dome. Intriguing!
cmoorelife 