Mounted Games Across America

Kenzie competing in Mounted Games Across America.

This is a recent commission of two sisters, Cora and Kenzie Raniouwski, who compete at National and International level in MGAA (Mounted Games Across America).

Mounted games are very fast games played on ponies up to a height of 15 hands (60 inches, 152 cm).

All ages compete but the sport was the inspiration of HRH Prince Philip who asked Sir Mike Ansell to devise a competition for children. It is now found all over the world.

Riders need athletic ability, good riding skills, hand-to-eye coordination, determination, perseverance, and a competitive spirit, as well as the ability to work together with other riders and a willingness to help one another.

Little portrait drawings

Drawing children’s portraits from photographs is essential as most people have such busy lives that having sittings for drawings and paintings just no longer works.

I keep it simple with pencil drawings and concentrate on line with some hatched shading.

These were small images for birthday gifts and I gather were well received by the recipients.

I welcome commissions for similar drawings and information can be found on my portrait page.

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Recent portraits

I have recently completed 2 portrait commissions of a little girl, one in watercolour and the other in pencil.

The challenge is not to overwork the shading in the pencil drawing or the strength of colour in the watercolour in such a young person.

Likeness is an obvious objective but breathing life into a pencil or watercolour portrait is so important. A sense of immediacy is suggested by the hatched shading lines. Normally I avoid drawing teeth but these baby teeth were irresistable!

I worked from some very good photographs taken by a professional but even good mobile photos make good reference.

Pencil drawing of a little girl

Little girl and her Doudoutheque & Co rabbit.

Latest commission. Portrait of Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Speed MBE on Wellesley.

I have really enjoyed doing this commission for Andrew Speed, who as Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Speed, MBE, Scots Guards was the Academy Adjutant from 2010 to 2011.

The drawing depicts the traditional exit from the Sovereign’s Parade of the Adjutant on his white charger following the cadets up the steps of the Grand Entrance of Old College, at Royal Miltary Academy Sandhurst.

Wellesley is a beautiful horse and Andrew Speed says, “The Duke of Cambridge rides Wellesley on Trooping the Colour. However Wellesley never really made it on the parade at RMAS as he hates being on his own and gets very nervy if he cannot see other horses. This was not good for the Sovereign’s Parade as he is one of 2 horses.”

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Speed MBE, Scots Guards on Wellesley.

Framed!

I’ve added a splash of red to my illustration of the adjutant as he climbs the steps of Old College at the end of the Sovereign’s Parade. In the second image here is the finished print mounted on an off white board and framed with a thin black painted wood frame.

The Adjutant and his charger climb the steps of Old College.

The tradition of the Adjutant on his white charger following the cadets up the steps of the Grand Entrance of Old College, Sandhurst, at the end of the Sovereign’s Parade originates from July 1926.

General Sir Frederick Browning known as ‘Boy’ Browning was then adjutant at Sandhurst and was riding his white charger Spook.

There are a few variations as to why he iniated this; avoiding getting his uniform wet from an approaching storm; after a poor rehearsal Boy rode his charger up the steps to berate the cadets; Ruth Farquhar a family friend suggested it and Boy thought it an excellent idea.

Whatever the reason this feat of equestrian skill has been enacted after the Commandant’s parade and the Sovereign’s parade every year since, barring the war years.

A ready supply of carrots and oats and a few rehearsals helped Spook on his way and no doubt the charger today is just as well rewarded after he enters the large double doors of the Grand Entrance.

Going up is one thing coming down is more difficult so a wooden ramp enables a safe exit for Adjutant and charger after the event.

The traditional exit for the Adjutant and his charger after the Sovereign’s Parade.

Vive la difference!

So I had a commission to paint this adorable chocolate labrador in a loose and realistic style. Watercolour, coloured pencil and pastel all layered to give a livley effect.

And at the same time I finished this linoprint of Alfie. He is such a cheeky little fellow with a direct gaze so unlike the graceful Merlin. I kept it really simple to emphasise his lovely black and white markings and his personality. No nuance; just straightforward!

I am selling these in a simple off white mount in my shop as an open edition.

Alfie the Italian Greyhound puppy. A linoprint

Sisters on Aldeburgh beach

Big sister lends a hand to her little sister on a wobble down the shingle at Aldeburgh beach.

Big and little sister holding hands

Elephant polo

I have recently discovered elephant polo after an American client asked me could I do some illustrations. There is also another variant; camel polo!

The game is similar but there are two people on each elephant a mahout who steers the elephant and the player with a very long polo mallet. It is played in Thailand and Nepal and Scotland are apparently very good at Elephant polo!

Elephant polo

Fisherman's beach - lunch at Griggs

Fisherman’s beach at Hythe has changed with the building of appartments overlooking the beach. However the fishing boats still go out and catch crab and fish of all sorts and sell to restaurants including Griggs.

This painting is of Stella Maria which was pulled up high on the beach and has now disappeared. Is she still sailing the seas or has she been broken up? Another sign of changes on the Hythe coast.

Even the fisherman’s gear is tidied up but I still enjoy seeing the piles of rope and assorted stuff lying in orderly heaps.

Go and see it before it disappears completely along with the way of life.

Griggs at Fisherman’s beach Hythe

So many dogs.......

I have been painting dogs, white fluffy ones, huge fluffy ones and multi-coloured hairy ones!

A challenge in watercolour and especially the white hairy West Highland terrier on white paper!..

I always enjoy painting Merlin. And his look in this painting mirrors mine….. Is it Monday morning already!

Is it Monday already!

Framed and ready to go!

Linoprint finished and framed

Dungeness at Dusk

This is my linoprint ready for the galleries on the south coast!

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.