London Ceremonial

Chelsea Pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Chelsea Pensioner at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Three Cheers for the founder.

Here is a new drawing of a Chelsea pensioner at the founders day rehearsal. Three days later the founders day salute was taken by HRH Duke of Sussex.

Chelsea Pensioners are former soldiers or non-commissioned officers of the British Army (including National Service) or former officers of the British Army who served in the ranks for at least 12 years or were awarded a disablement pension while serving in the ranks. They must be over 65 years of age, be able to live independently on the Long Wards on arrival to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and be free of any financial obligation to support a spouse or family.

Up to 300 army veterans live at the Royal Hospital including those who have served in Korea, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and World War II. Others may not have served in campaigns, but all understand what it means to be a soldier and the potential sacrifice that it entails.

The Royal Hospital is a Grade I and II listed site, a beautiful architectural legacy left to us by Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren.

Yeoman Warder at Tower of London

Just started on a new series of drawings based on the Ceremonial uniforms found in London. I started at the Tower of London where the magnificent Yeoman Warders guard the Tower and give animated talks to visitors from all over the world. Their uniforms date back to Tudor times and remind me of the portraits of King Henry VIII.

The popular name for the Yeomen is ‘Beefeaters’ and a well known brand of Gin also bears the name and an image of the Yeoman guard in full cermonial uniform which is worn at State occassions.

I’m looking forward to seeing the state uniform soon as we have a State visit in London from 3rd to 5th June when The President of the USA is visiting. Should be interesting!

Dungeness print Lino block

The Lino block has been cut away for the last colour to be printed. At this stage the actual Lino block becomes an artwork in its own right.

Bubble baby

Observing children observing! The sheer concentration of the gaze and obvious curiosity is delightful to watch. Playtime and learning all rolled into one.

Graduating Cadet 'On Parade'

A Male cadet at the Sovereign’s Parade.

Three Sovereign’s Parades are held each year in front of Old College to mark the passing out of the graduating cadets. This is the final parade of the senior division.

The swords used to be made by Wilkinson Sword but when they closed in 2005 the manufacture of the swords transferred to Pooley Sword a tradional cutler who supply swords, Dirks and lances to the British armed forces and many Commonwealth overseas defence forces.

The Sword of Honour is awarded to the outstanding cadet in his or her class.

Blue light at Dungeness. Linoprint

Linoprints hanging out to dry.

My reduction linoprint is nearing completion with the 4th colour added.

The print is of a boat called the ‘Three Sisters’ pulled up on the shingle at Dungeness with the sea glinting in the background. The print is based on a painting that I did of the same boat in mixed media and acrylic but now simplified in photoshop for an image more suited to linoprint.

Linoprint is a very physical activity compared to the rest of the artwork I do. Each print is hand pulled which means I ink up the lino then place the paper over the lino and burnish the paper with a brayer and a metal spoon until the ink has transferred to the paper. It’s very hard work but great fun and you get a workout at the same time.

Lining up all the colours in the reduction print is demanding but I use a special jig which holds the lino and another jig which marks where the paper has to be placed each time. It works well most of the time.

A cheap print hanger is made from an Ikea clothes drier, some string and some wooden pegs. The whole thing cost about £4 so I have an easy way to keep wet prints safe while they dry.

I used Lawrence Linseed Oil Relief Printing ink on Somerset paper for this print. Cleaning up with ‘Zest it’ cleaner is odour free and easy.

Recently I invested in some new inks which are oil based but washable called ‘Caligo safe wash relief inks’. I’m looking forward to using them soon.

New drawings of officer cadets

This Officer cadet is the first in a new series of drawings based on the Sovereign’s Parade at RMA Sandhurst.

The marching almost looks like ballet.

I free draw the image from a photo and change the face to try and give a good expression. Concentration in this one.

The drawing is then scanned and tweeked a lot in photoshop to look more graphic and then I add red digitally.

From beginning to end it probably takes a day to complete.

Officer cadet ‘On Parade’ at RMA Sandhurst

Photoshopped image with red added and all unwanted marks and lines erased.

'On Parade' RMAS

The Academy Adjutant and his grey charger make a famous exit at the end of the parade. They climb the stairs at Old college. The origins of this tradition are unclear. My next designs will include the adjutant and his charger.

‘On Parade’ cards

I was invited to a Commandant’s Parade at RMA Sandhurst in 2018 and was inspired to draw some of the soldiers on parade.

As usual I took almost a thousand photos and from them I chose 3 Warrant Officers and a Major as my first images in a series of miltary prints and cards.