Clubhouse

Last Friday the weather was lovely, and we needed to escape the media tsunami resulting from Thursday’s referendum, so we headed up to the Norfolk coast. Our destination was Hunstanton, or ‘Sunny Hunny’ as it’s locally known, where there’s a good sweeping sandy beach, with the added interest of amusement arcades and a funfair to sketch. However, when it came down to brass tacks we dithered about looking for a view – probably because there were so many choices. Time was ticking on, and in the end we plumped for sketching the Sailing Club building, not least because we could sit in the sun with our backs to the warm sea wall, the sound of the surf soothing our ears. The view had a boat, which my husband wanted to sketch, and a building, which was my main objective.

Perspective once again was a tricky one. I did some pencil guidelines, but when it came to sharpening everything up with fineliner (absolutely necessary this time) I realised I didn’t get it quite right. Too late though. I knew the boats would be tricky, and they were. And in case you’re wondering, that large heap on the far left is a big stack of kayaks. I was at the end of my concentration by the time I reached them!  The sun was quite high but still casting the front and side of the building in shade. Consequently the ground shadows are quite small – I would have enjoyed playing with more contrast. However, the bit I like best on this is the backlit patch of grass in front of the building. Right at the end I discovered I’d forgotten to reserve the white of the flag, and had to lift it out with a damp brush before adding a little colour. Doh!

It was a good way to spend the morning, not too much conversation, no room for thinking about the EU. ‘Sketching as meditation’ worked its magic.