Manchester Town Hall is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece in the heart of Manchester. The building is very complicated and I would have had to spend a few hours to sketch all the details. My time was limited so I created an impression of the form in pen and particularly as the town hall is just an iconic building a quick sketch was possible.
This is my first pencil sketch so far in the series. Blustery day today so by working quickly and cross hatching I managed to achieve some movement in the sketch. I liked this barn that is now a house conversion on the hillside before you come into the small town of Holfirth famous for the filming loaction of the BBC long running series Last of the Summer Wine.
A day of contrasts in many ways. This lunchtime we were in Pisa Airport, probably 35 degrees, sunny and bright. At just past 4pm we were in Northern England, 17 degrees, dull and very little colour. Driving over Saddleworth Moor between Oldham and Holmfirth, I stopped the car and quickly captured the drama of these moors. You cannot get any more contrast between this moorland landscape and the landscape of Tuscany, but equally just as beautiful.
Too knackered with this heatwave to talk about this building in Barga except it is called Villa Buenos Aires as it looks like a building that should be in Buenos Aires, not Tuscany! Again, simple line drawing works well. Off to the England tomorrow for several days so expect half the temperature and grey sky. Goodnight, now off to pack and bed!
The vines are now in full leaf with the little grapes just starting to grow. This low vantage point, looking up to the house adds dynamism to the sketch and the angular shape of the building contrasts with the organic soft shapes of the vines. No colour required on this sketch, pure line works well.
A little milestone today - my 100th Daily Sketch! Silhouetted against the late afternoon sky is this fortress just a short walk from the village of Verrucole, a few kilometres from San Romano. Very picturesque but no shop, not even a bar now. The last time I was here, the bar only switched the coffee machine on at weekends and only a few bags of nuts and crisps available. Today, a for sale sign on the door. Sad that these local village bars are closing but not enough trade to keep open.
We are in the middle of a heatwave, around 38 degrees midday. Have been gardening for a friend up in San Romano (half hour drive from Barga) past few days but managed to do my sketch today during a break. This is the view from his house - not a bad view to wake up to!
