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O my gosh!! I feel like I've stumbled upon the most wonderful treasure. Wow! Impressive & beautiful.

Looks like an illustration out of a book. Thanks for using your gift and sharing it with the world.

Mark

This is great.

I also wanted to thank you for all of your comments on my blog. It is still a bit of a fresh blog and any comment is awesome. Thanks

Andrea,
This EDM challenge was well worth waiting for. Your ability to construct depth and layers - as well as the muted colors always "blows me away."
Shirley
http://www.paperandthreads.com

I am *green* with envy Andrea! I love your little, color coordinated collections!

Another beauty Andrea! So little and yet a big punch.

your compositions are so engaging, they make me want to spend hours looking at all the details. awesome work!

Absolutely wonderful! I love it and especially the little gnome inside the bottle :)

Stunning!

LOvely like always!

Beautiful! Such an wonderful way to express the EDM challenge of drawing something green. I would probably do lettuce or broccoli, or I am sure I have some green shoes somewhere in that closet.

Since this was "my" EDM challenge, I went back and looked at my entry for it, and remembered that I had dedicated it to you. The interesting thing was that in your comment, you mentioned that green was your favourite colour ... so I'm sort of hoping that there will be more drawings like this one, where green plays a major role ... It's lovely.

Please can I send you a couple of Moos?

This is like looking at clouds. I'm sure I see that little button smiling. How adorable.

Thanks everyone.

Glad you like this one, I like it too.

EJ, I remember your post, and it had the same title I believe? I'd love you to send me some Moos - we can do a swap.

Cheers folks.

Andrea,
I discovered your blog today and it jumped to the top of my favorites list! Your art is amazing and I am really enjoying browsing through all your older posts.
Colleen

I have given you an award on my blog for your inspirational blog and artwork. I just love stopping by and exploring your work!

Trying to work back as to how I found you. Started with Anita giving me an award and reading blogs of the others she chose. Then reading their choices and THEN WHAM there I was looking at your beautiful creative pieces. Where do you get such lovely ideas? Your profile says you live in the UK but where????You seem to know EJ from the Fens and I'm in Norfolk. You've been quickly added to my favourites.

This one is great, the colour is wonderful.

Oh, I feel like I've found a real gem by stumbling into your blog. You have such a delightful style and outlook on the world around you.

Andrea, I have give you an award too! Check my blog if you want to participate :)

Andrea,

OOOH..Sorry about the deletion above...I tried to correct a typo...and "poof" it was gone!

You INSPIRE ME! The tender, delicate interpretation of daily life in your drawings makes my heart smile.

Beautiful! Your drawings always have such a beautiful 3d feel to them, like you can pick them right up

Thanks, everyone.

And, welcome to all the new visitors. I'm not sure how you found me but it's nice to 'see' you. Thanks for all the awards too.(Actually, come to think of it, that's probabaly where all the new visitors have come from).

Joan, I'm from Wales but I live in the Peak district. The other side of the country from you, EJ, Anita etc.

Cheers folks, I'm touched.

I can't see your picture! I think Blogger's just being a bum today.

Four sum reeson the imige did not come up. Here's hoppin your spelcek gets fixed.

I may have this wrong, but I was told a couple of years ago(before I had the blog) that if the spell-check goes down you have to go right back to the Windows programme to fix it.Exactly how, I don't know as I long ago disabled mine! If I figure it out I'll come back.
I did get the image.A babuschka doll, yes. (And what was wrong with it? I like it!)

OOOOOOH! The background is wonderful! I mean the doll is beautiful fer sure, but it's so cool to see all those creative elements in the background too. :)

Ah, I can see it now. I've no idea how you created that background but it's most intriguing.

U r funnie. Unfortuneately I dont no how to help u wit da spellcheck, but wish you wood missspell your posts more offten.

Another great drawing, Andrea. Which reminds me: have you ever seen "Russian Dolls" (the sequel to "l'Auberge Espagnole"?) by Cedric Klapisch?

How to resolve Blogger Spell Checker not working:
1. Turn off Blogger Spell Checker
2. Download and install Google Toolbar
3. Use Google Toolbar Spell Checker instead
HTH :)

Your drawing style is so unique. I love the subjects and the detail. Also, I envy that you have the patience. I must say I am a bit of a frenetic scribbler.

Beautiful, as always. You have such control over the pen! And my blogger spell check is down too. Annoying.

Didunt no Blugger had a spelchek! Lukky yu all thees yeers gettin to spell prapearly!!
I du liek yur chainges to this drawling!!

Thanks gang, for the kind comments and the technikal help! I also love seeing those accents come out in your bad spelling. Coo-ell.

France, I have not seen that film. I shall check it out.

I do love these dolls, even though I find that there is something a bit spooky abou them. Do you agree?

Cheers!

heh heh ... I used to have one (er, well, six in one?) of these years ago. And yes, slightly spooky especially if they're set out all in a row (drawing idea for you heh) Lovely drawing Andrea, so good to catch up with your art again, hope you are well.

Blogger has a spell-checker? Who knew???
Love your work - every day is a new surprise.

Someone is going to be one happy birthday girl! :) This is fantabulous!

Love it! PERFECT as is!!!!!

a happy birthday to whomever :-)
and
i love chucks
(pf flyers and keds too...)
your chuck (singular) is wonderful
but that is no surprise

I like the angle you chose and I think the perspective works just fine!

Funny - I've been working on a sketch of some Converse myself. Mine doesn't have nearly as much character as yours tho... Back to the drawing board! lol.

I'm sure the birthday girl is very very happy.

this is awesome! i'm a converse wearing man myself - it's hard to find them in size 13. very well done as always.

Great drawing! You attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. I too like the perspective on this one ~ :)

Thanks everyone. You know, this one has kind of grown on me. Glad you like it.

Cheers.

I kind of love it :)

Nice... It looks great to me!

I absolutely love it! Beautiful, fascinating and fun! It's like a sophisticated version of a children's book. (Or the old "Colorforms" playsets from the 60s!) Now I'm picturing other possibilities... like a closet door, refrigerator, kitchen cupboard, mirrored bathroom vanity!

Just came across your blog. You are the first other EDMer I have come across that is on this side of the atlantic. I am in Ireland. Your work is beautiful. I look forward to visiting again.

This is lovely, just asking to be made into a pop-up book!

Flippin GORGEOUS Andrea - as always, your ability to create texture with a lowly pen just blows my mind, and your clever creativity (the suitcase closes as you turn the page!!) humbles and enchants me.

Oh, my, I reallly AM ROFL! Abou the time you spilled the tea, I started giggling (my beverage of choice for spills is coffee!) and then the sock and the rest of the laundry - too, too funny! I always feel I need a vacation day to recoup from my vacation! LOVE that the suitcase closes when you turn the page!!!

Serendipitous tea spilling! Way to go, Andrea! Made for a VERY yummy drawing, to be sure!

You are so clever and this is so wonderful!!

The case, both inside and out, is brilliant! And I love the jumble of clothes in the top right of the next page ... off to the laundry, is it? I absolutely love both this and the interior!

Wow...this drawing really did create a lot of frustrations...but, believe me, it was totally worth it. You've got a beautiful addition to your sketchbook...case closed!

Haha! I love that your drawing is disrupted by laundry, same way here.

A great idea and lovely scatch!!!
I so adore the colorful badges on the suitcase:)

Thank you all folks. I really appreciate your comments and visits. Ta.

This series is so enjoyable and so creative. I loved reading about all the things that almost made you want to quit but that persistent and perseverance totally paid off.

Completely feminine, sorry! But still a great drawing even if it's not what it's supposed to be.

Maybe you're more girly than you think? It's not like it's a bad thing. And I like the way the light-coloured dots turned out - they give it wonderful depth and texture. I can, however, imagine that they were a right pain to do.

When I first saw this come up I wondered what you were up to this time. You are so funny! Whether you like it or not, it is a wonderful drawing!

I think it's lovely, but yes, very feminine!
I'm afraid you've been tagged, Andrea - see details here :
http://caseytoussaint.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/tagged-again/

I do like the fact that they don't line up. I think this whole drawing is gorgeous.
... And i loved the YouTube video :-)

I was waiting for you to say...' ...and I don't even have shoes to match these garnments'
LOL!

Whinge all you like, this is a great drawing and IMO all the things you list as imperfections are the exact things that make it a GREAT drawing!

I laughed out loud after reading your commentary. Not girly - well that's not how it appears with your loveley 'jamy pics and bower bird collecting of buttons and bows and things.
w.

well i love it but understand being frustrated with a drawing. but tell me how do you make panties and a top like this unfeminine? LOL... its really lovely

Eeeeek!
Thanks guys, still considering deleting it. S'pose there are some bits that are OK, bits of the colouring and texture that I'm happy with but over all....yuk!

Ryan, I fear you maybe right.

And of course you cannot make a drawing on a subject like this anything but girlie. Don't know why I'm so hung up about that?!

Cheers.

How do you whistle in word form? I wish I knew, because that is exactly what I'd do now. Very sexy!

I really LOVE this drawing. Everything you've commented on that bothers you...well, these are bits that make it one of a kind. But, alas, I know we are always our own worst critics.

Keep it up...please don't delete it.

Hmmm, seems cool.

Joe [email protected]

I love it!

I think you are a closet girlie girl, be honest Andrea! ;) I'm not one of those either, so I know what you mean about the undies! I'm more of a Bridget Jones big knicker practical type (well, an impractical practical type to be precise!) Actually, I AM a bit surprised because your work IS so feminine!

I had to laugh when reading this andrea...I love your drawing...the femininity, the not-lining -uo, the light agains dark background...I enjoy your whole drawing too much to even feel sorry for your struggle!And don't you dare delete it!
ronell

This is so cool Andrea! I love it! Just like the album cover! Are you going to do another one in the next couple days? :)

Looks great!!
Ronell

register your blog in www.dignow.org

Thank you...I may just take you up on that offer! This is just the way I like a banana...perfectly yellow. As soon as they get spots, I'm over them...

Good thing you didn't draw spots :)

Great job and unusual for you to use colored pencils isn't it? It looks so real Andrea and good enough to eat.

Had to enlarge this and see and appreciate the details in both the banana and background! Yowza! *jaw drop* again. I like that this is "different," not typical AJ but you, still. Do you feel yourself expanding?

Just perfect.

I am just having fun imagining "have a banana" as a Smiths lyric.

I love the use of colour on the banana, it really suits your style!

Lovely rendering and I like how you treated the background too!

Oh my goodness! That's the most beautiful banana...that shade of yellow is just perfect.

lovely

Cheers everyone!

Teri, I use colour pencils quite a lot but usually mixed media, perhaps with ballpoint etc.

Jason, you have to say 'ave a banana' in a Cockney accent. Have a go!

Thank you all. I like this banana, shame about the background.

Lovely lovely lovely!.
MD

I've had it! thanks.

hfm
http://tcores.blogspot.com

looks so good, i wanna slice it up and throw it on my cheerios.
this is perfect

http://tomwood.typepad.com/

Hi
Great blog - really enjoyed looking and reading what you had to say.
I have a lot of drawings and sketchbooks going back twenty years on my blog (address above) and I thought you might like to see them from one scribbler to another as it were!
best wishes

Tom Wood

Hi Andrea...love your blog. Your drawings are beautiful!

God I love visiting your blog!

You beat me to it! I was going to draw a banana for the B in my fruit & veg series but I don't dare now, this one is so perfect. Delicious.

I disagree suzanne, they're better with the spots!

a lovely banana i must say, its incredible how much detail you find in something which i'd just colour in all yellow...

I LIKE the banana, especially how you've drawn/coloured the skin.

Well, *I* like her!

Does the original look so sad? I hope the frustration passes soon, because I think it is more your perception than the actual quality of your work. Maybe something's going on in life that has you distracted and anxious; when it passes, you'll see your efforts more positively again.

Oooh Ryan, it's funny you should say that. The original has always had a sadness in her eyes. I used to wonder about the lady who painted her, was I seeing her sadness? I tried and tried to make her look a little happier but I just couldn't! Wow, I find that really interesting, and, I'm going to rename this post 'sad eyes'!!

Cheers Natalie.

You seem to produce rubbish of a very high standard!

Any of your pieces are really great pieces. Maybe this is less complex, or ambitious, or deep than others you've made before, but surely there's a lot of AJ in it.
Tomorrow you'll see it with other eyes. Not so sad.

Don't worry, be happy!

I speak for myself I love this russian doll's I have one's but unfortunatley they don't came from Russia, I find them in a fair in Bragança city, but I love them the same.
Love your doll! Have a great week!

well call me a rubbish lover

She has such beautiful "sad eyes". I must tell you that I really love your style and execution. I know your "down on yourself" will pass - you are too good at what you do to let a bad week stop you. Thank you for all the wonder you share through this sketchblog.
Sally

Ok, I will lend you my eyes to see her with, just for a little while though...wouldn't want you getting too confident! ;)

Thanks guys.

I kind of wish I hadn't posted this, I think it may just annoy me every time I come to this blog. I was thinking perhaps I should add some text, a shadow, something. Maybe I will, maybe then it'll annoy me less. Thanks for being kind about it anyway.

Anita, there is no danger of that happening (me getting too confident). Not in this lifetime!!
Cheers all.

Au contraire! This drawing is lovely Andrea! I really do love it ... the colors, the shapes, her eyes. You rock my friend!

Rubbish....ha! I love your "rubbish." Sorry you've been having a bad drawing week...boy, can I relate!

I love your text on this post. Too clever. I almost lost my head.

One man's trash is another man's treasure so they say. I personally love your "rubish".

I'm sorry you've been having an off week. I'm sending you a virtual hug and warm thoughts hoping you feel better soon.

I have three sets of the dolls, one from Russia when my brother went. Mine too are faded in the sun , but I love them. You have captured it wonderfully.
Love the soft jimjams, beautifully done as always.
Eileen

Rubbish! That's what I say, not your drawing, but your opinion of it! So there!

You are very talented my dear..
No need to be so hard on yourself. This is beautiful..I absolutely love it! I wish I wish I could draw like this! :) Priscilla

wonderful job Andrea, as usual! You always leave with my mouth open when looking at your drawings.

I'm with Martin: jaw hanging open again.

like the weller reference!
incredible drawing.

Cheers guys.

Hey Pete, this blog is littered with Weller references, I tell ya! I adore him. I fell in love with him about 30 years ago...and never fell out! Are you a fan?

Thank you.

Absolutely beautiful!! They look so soft and fluffy! I can almost feel the fresh out of the dryer warm.

Soft and fuzzy! Exquisite work, Andrea.

Andrea you sure caught the softness here, they are wonderful!

Wow, softest things I ever saw... Wonderful!

Totally beautiful and oh so soft looking. Good for snuggling.

So soft-looking as others have said, and you are so so neat. Come to my house and do something with the chaos - please!
Actually we don't wear 'jamas - we wear sulus - Pacific Island style.
w.

These are so beautiful - all little boy scrumptious and soft.

Thanks you, guys!

Gorgeous Andrea...I'm without words...the colours, the touch, everything...it is just beautiful.
Ronell

OMG, awesome! I want to reach out and touch them. What an incredible rendering and beautiful title to some ordinary items. Thank you for being an inspiration.

Is it just me or could you draw the 'hardest' thing in the world...and it would still be beautifully soft-looking...a testament to your inherent style.

Oh Andrea - words fail me. This is incredible - how do you convey softness like that? It's true you just want to touch them....Brilliant!

Lovely! Underfull colors!

Thanks guys,

I really didn't expect much of a response to this drawing. I wondered whether it was a little bland. So I'm pleased and surprised by your kind words.

Cheers!

very soft indeed, makes me want to go to sleep now, but it's 9 in the morning

Oh Andrea - this is fabulous. I love the muted pallete, and it does indeed look very soft.

Beautiful.
MD

Oh, so it was Paul Weller, uh?
I know i said it on Flickr -- but i love this one too.

Wow! Brilliant colour! Gorgeous work!

very beautiful and would be perfect for IF challenge this week!

Thanks guys,

Val, yes I know. Actually these are greeny-blues and I do have more purpley-blue pjs. I may draw those before the week is out.

Cheers!

so beautifull smoth.

hfm
http://tcores.blogspot.com

so pretty and soft and i love the colors. i just adore your drawings

Truly soft and so comfy. I love your little details, so perfectly done.

Your art is just wonderful! I am glad that you are enjoying the journey!

Love your view through the train window! I love that English landscape, and your drawings are so evocative of the old stonewalls and hedgerows, they are quite wonderful.

Glad you're back, and boy, am I jealous of that train ride!

Aww..I wish I could take the same train ride..sounds really nice and looks beautiful. Great work..I love it..it makes me do a little day dreaming :)

excellent drawing, i really like the details, esp of the train ticket! brings me home. and the countryside also, i love the atmosphere of it, definitely brings me home.

Congratulations and jubilation on your One Year of posting. Does one say 'Happy Blogday'?

As usual the high standard of work keeps getting higher as your unique style develops and you hone your already well-honed cross-hatching skills.

I love dropping by your blog, not just to see some amazing work, but to see how your wonderful audience keep you buoyant with their positive and encouraging comments.

Here's to the next year of great work. Onwards and upwards!

Yes, happy blog day.
Great hatching work. What else is knew...

Oh, the drawing of all the items sticking out of the little pocket! You drew the Moo card with your drawing on it! How clever, Andrea. The stitching all around is so well done too.
I never thought i would say it, but i miss public transportation more and more. Your drawing out the window makes me want to open my sketchbook and doodle. Beautiful stuff!

All your drawings are so perfect! Glad to see you back.

So you like private jokes, great!

Thanks guys!

Ryan & Priscilla, it is a beautiful train journet and even though it is, without fail, always raining I enjoy it everytime.

France, I know what you mean I really miss public transport (even though it's so expensive and unreliable in this country). I rarely seem to take it these days.

Tim, you got here too quick...I've got a brithday post coming up...any minute now! Thank you anyway, I'm touched. As you well know!! He he.

Cheers everyone!

Original, perfect, funny!

Andrea, may I ask what kind of pen do you use?

Regards,

Evelyn

I travel regularly on that train on to Tywyn, I never get board of the Welsh countryside! I found one of your moo cards at Mach Station which is how I found your blog. :) I enjoy doodling but never knew it could go to such a level! I feel inspired.

Thanks guys!


Evelyn, I use a Pilot pen, it's a G-tec. I've tried lots of others but keep coming back to that one. It comes in a few differnet colours, I use brown and black.

Becka, thank you for dropping by! I LOVE hearing from people who have found my Moo cards. I did a little card drop in Mach on Friday. There were a few of them planted around the town! I too never get bored of the Welsh countryside. It's SO grogeous.Thanks for commenting, you made my day!

Cheers.

Ooops.. I linked over from another Blog, the Fading Rose, intending to spend a few moments browsing. I have been here for ages LOL . Your artwork is incredible, so much to see. thank you for sharing. I will visit again x

Love your little train journey sketch. I'd like to do that journey one day even though I live in that wonderful countryside.

I didn't know you'd been 'art-dropping' or whatever the correct term is. I love that idea but always worry about being done for littering! LOL.

Thank you both!

TessaB, I do that quite a lot too. Sometimes I can't even remember where I began!

Gillian, I don't even know if there is a proper term. I just kind of plant them around - I do worry about the littering aspect and so I try to make sure they are put somewhere where they won't just blow away, and become litter. If that makes sense? Noticeboards, cafes, letterboxes, phoneboxes(!), public toilets(?!). I'll shut up now!

Cheers guys.

Andrea they are both gorgeous ... that landscape is beautiful, I love it!

a) I plan to usurp "bobbins" - they already think I'm a bit daft at work, anyway.

b) That drawing is NOT bobbins - it's absolutely fantastic! It made me want to reach out and touch the spot where one was missing. *wiping monitor*

and

c)I found the following phrase today and figure I should be allowed to emigrate now: "A Dduw! Mae bywell yn fy mhen i!"

"that's not bobbins, no indeed!"

You just never cease to amaze and delight me with your art. This is just so awesome!!

Well, you and i know it's complete bobbins, Andrea. I mean, let's face it.
Hahahah!!!! What a cool piece of parlance!!!
I love the drawing, especially the shading around the missing button -- showing that it is conspicuously gone! Aw. Beautiful topic, and beautiful execution, as always, Andrea.

I love this drawing! That empty spot of a missing button makes me feel sad and lonely.

I'm speechless. Truly. Wow.

gorgeous, as always....
Jules.

I like the ghostly image of the missing button! Wonder where it is now?

Your technique is flawless. I don't know how you make color pencils look so soft and precise at the same time. The same goes for your crosshatching: very resolute lines but extremely soft effect. I hope you work as an art teacher. I know I'd be going to your classes if I lived in Wales!

Claudia

Again a wonderful, typical "Andrea Joseph"! Super well done!

Amazing! Love your fantastic art!!!

Thanks everybody for the lovely comments.

I did not expect much of a response to this as I thought you may all be a little bored of these buttons.So thanks!

Ryan, I'd like to know what kind of response you get should you start using 'bobbins'. Please tell!

Cheers guys.

Beautiful, beautiful buttons! Part of the experience of your drawings is to see them enlarged. One appreciates the details but blow it up and OMG, what is gorgeous becomes breathtaking ... and I've never said THAT of buttons before!

Lovely buttons, really beautifully drawn. I have lots of similar old sewing objects, lots of bobbins, many buttons, just love looking at them. The fountain pens are so nice, make lovely wrapping paper.
Thanks for the comment, still learning how to do all the Flickr stuff , always ringing my daughter for advice ! Did you find the video on my blog ,that she did of my exhibition.
Eileen

hey, someone stole one of the bobbins! they are great, it's nice to learn new words too

bonjour :)

Thankyou Andrea for your lovely comments . I am constantly inspired when I see your amazing work and how much you get done.
I'm just drawing a dragonfly at the moment, not done much since the exhibition, need to get going again .
Eileen

Cheers everyone!

I'm always dazzled by your buttons. And I enjoy the expression "that's bobbins!"....think I may use it from now on!
Ronell

Beautifully drawn!!!

Wow! They look so soft and comfortable. I want to wear them to sleep... and I think you did a good job on crease.

I'm in love! with your pyjamas!!
Just wonderful, Andrea! There is absolutely nothing to criticise here!! They're fabulous!

love the soft blues in this. fab work as always.

Wow! I marvel at your ability to draw infinitesimal detail which adds so much to your overall drawing. You actually drew the individual threads that make up the thread holding your buttons! Never mind the details of the buttons! Wow!

I would love a pair of these! I love the whimsy of the buttons :-)

Oh wow, you make me want to crawl into mine right now! You have captured the softness of your subject so well! I just want to reach out and touch the screen.

I do hope this turns into a very comfy series.

I enjoyed your shoe series so much that when I finally bought a really 'cute' pair, I decided that it would be a good reason to (eventually) draw my own series. But your pyjamas are even more cute; this conveys such a nice sense of coziness. This will be great fun for us all to watch!

You've mae these look so soft and comfortable! I love getting home from work and changing into pyjamas to lounge around.

I really like the way you draw!

Oh, there's nothing quite so snuggly and cosy as a good pair of 'jammies'. They'd be high on my list too.
The creases look fine to me. You did a great job to convey the softness of the fabric on this.
Don't you ever get blobs and other such annoyances with your ballpoint pen? I'm sure I would. What brand do you use?

Andrea, I love looking at your work and cant wait to see what you will do next. I put my Old Navy PJ pants on after work. Hint: buy them a bit big and try them inside out. You wont be sorry. Seams on the outside everyone! do it.

There's nothing better than soft purple pajamas and these are both! I love my jammies and practically live in them when I can.

Wow, thank peeps!

I seem to have found another subject that people feel passionate about - jimjams!

I thought I was the only person that changed into pyjamas immediately after getting home, but obviously not. Actually I know my sister does it too.

I really hesitated posting this drawing as I wasn't particularly happy with it. I'm glad I did now! Cheers!

A beautiful drawing!would love to see all your others..you're inspiring me to get a pair so extra too!
ronell

love the simetry, great drawing

That's "lazy"?

Just awesome! You do such great art! I love it!

Great! Love the drawing.

If I ever visited you I feel like I'd recognize you just by the things to own! I love the way your sketches are a visual catalog of your life. I see you are in Wales. We have traveled there several time for hiking and to vist the storytelling festival at St. Donats. Have you ever been there? The setting is stunning.

Oooh i love it with the addition of color!

That's not lazy - that's GENIOUS! Twice as beautiful in color...

Thank you everyone.

I appreciate your comments so much. I feel like I've been out of the loop a bit as far as blogging goes over the last couple of weeks. Not got much drawing done and not been visiting all your fabulous sites. I'm planning on getting right back in over the weekend.

Cheers guys!

Your site has won a Blog of the Day Award (BOTDA)

Award Code

Thank you,

famous quotes

How patient you are in your drawing! I try to slow down and then I get a bit excited and I exit - half-done!
w.

Beautifully rendered drawing!

Beautiful! I love the softness of your technique and the consistency of your style!

Cheers guys!

Wendy, I wish I was more like you in some ways - I never know when to stop!

I love this drawing - and I also love to rummage through buttons in charity shops! And when I was little I used to love playing with the buttons in my gran's button jar.

A wonderful story and a fantastic work of art, as usual!

Sounds like a wonderful spot!

OK, I was starting to think, wow, those buttons are in good shape for being in the chhurchyard! But I figured it out, you found them in the rusty tin. And a good find, too! And a great drawing!!

Your story, the houses, the old lady... tell much about your quiet and peaceful way of drawing (or maybe I imagine it this way) that I like so much.

your descriptions of the woman, the shops are so wonderful - i'd love to go there. and the drawings... who knew buttons could be so magical?

I LOVE the variation on the "Jason" buttons in sepia! Beautiful, just beautiful.

I loved your story - sounds like Brigadoon, an unreal place to me! Is that new singer Mr Potts, from your neck of the woods?
Your peaceful take on life and drawing is an inspiration.
w.

Thanks everyone.

This, yet again, looks so much better on Flickr.

Emma, I want a granny with a button jar!

Kathleen, you're right that is confusing (re; the churchyard thing). Maybe I should change it. Hmmm.

Wendy, Mr. Potts is actually from my hometown - although I don't live there anymore.

Cheers guys!

The village must be realy nice. Thanks's for sharing this moment and your lovely buttons drawing's!
M.

Andrea,
Your stuff inspires me. I love doing work with pen and ink, but seeing your work makes me envy those who can really do great things with color!

BRAVO!

Fabulous drawings of those old button cards. I have some just like it.
Your description of the vilage and the shop also paints a delightful picture. It's great that there are still some corners, here in the UK, that are like stepping back into the 1950s.

These are absolutely beautiful Andrea! You never cease to amaze and inspire me!

Beautifull done Andrea! You have such a wonderful feel for taking the mundane and making it beautiful for all the world to see.

Love these drawings, really think these are great. As the owner of lots of button tins, old sewing baskets and contents. Like you, love looking in old junk shops and finding stuff.

Thanks everybody,

Gillian, I couldn't agree more. I just love those places that are like stepping bak in time. There are quite a lot around these parts. But, just as the lovely lady was saying; as all the old buildings get turned into luxury apartments which people buy as second or holiday homes then these places will disappear. It's a shame because they really are part of the character of our countryside.

Cheers guys!

I've got SO much to catch up on ... your blog alone is going to take me about a week! You've been up to some gorgeous stuff.

Fantastic illustration! I just looked at your blog and saw you used this for IF's "signs". I think it fits this topic much better! :)

Great stuff on your blog, BTW.

Thanks, Mike! And I agree completely about the topic.

A really interesting concept and great illustration.

This is my favourite!!!

The make this high-test epoxy that's supposedly just for sticking them back up. A good how-to

..make sure you clean the surfaces(both) with alcohol before you stick it on..it makes a big difference..

This drawing makes me feel warm and fuzzy ... it has something to do with the colors, style, and oh, I dunno. I just love the drawings you do of the countryside. In my imagination, the air feels cool and crisp and it's green all around. Thanks for the journey!

It's especially dangerous if you're drawing what see you in the rear view mirror while driving when it falls off!
This is quite a beautiful sketch - I guess it was worth risking life and limb for.

Well, personally I'm kinda glad it fell off - otherwise you probably wouldn't have thought to draw it, and it's such a wonderful drawing. Hopefully you'll do a side mirror next, but hopefully it won't fall off first. In the mean time, try some E6000 glue - holds ANYthing to ANYthing. seriously.

The UK has the best place names hands down of anywhere in the world. Those that don't make you feel all homey and warm make you giggle.

Beautiful sketch!

oh its so soft and pretty - what a lovely drawing.
and sparrowpit looks like leesburg (where i am - in Virginia)- isn't that funny? and a most wonderful name - sparrowpit (much more descriptive than the burg!)

The variety of subject matter you find continues to amaze me. Lovely pic as usual.
w.

wow Andrea, another gorgeous drawing and brilliant idea ... so many layers to this!

I have no tips as to how to make it stick... just a feeling of nostalgia when i look at this drawing... this capacity we sometimes have to watch events through a rear-view mirror instead of the road ahead. This amazing sketch sums that up for me. It's beautiful and wistful at the same time.

Thanks guys,

Cheers for the tips Ryan and Shane - I have been cleaned that little patch of window with nail vanish remover too many times! Juj I've been told, whatever I do, do NOT use glue. Apparently it ruins the window - or is that just something mechanics tell you?

Tracy ans Julie - I agree we have the best names. I like all the descriptive - I just can't think of any at the moment. Tracy, I'm really surprised to here this looks like somewhere in Virginia?! I'm not sure that I can imagine the kind of landscapes you have there but I never thought it would look like this. Draw some or post some photos, I'd love to see it.

France, that is such an interesting quote "...this capacity we sometimes have to watch events through a rear-view mirror instead of the road ahead". Quite beautiful, and so very true.

Casey, I promise I was not drawing whilst driving! Although it sounds kind of fun!!

Thanks everyone else for the comments too.

oh this is so lovely!

It is so quaint and peaceful. I can agree that it looks like some places in Virginia--a beautiful state I believe you would enjoy visiting. If the Queen can come over for a visit (as she did to Jamestown for it's 400th anniversary earlier this year), then surely you can, too!

I love it! I wish I had a view like that in my rear view mirror, even if I had to hold it up with my hands to see it. Great name for a town too! I wonder how it got that name.

This is an incredible drawing - love it!

Wonderful drawing of a charming, interesting scene. At least you have made something beautiful from a bad situation. Good luck with your mirror adventures.

Why the name Sparrowpit? Interesting name, but was the village named after a sparrow attack, or has the true spelling and reason disappeared over the years?

OOh what an imaginative idea! *claps hands excitedly* how quaint!

There's some odd place names up here near Durham including Pity Me and No Place! XD

Only you would think of drawing this view! Cleverly done. This also happened to me this summer and the epoxy kit fixed mine perfectly.

love this picture as it just reminds me of all the road trips that i've taken w/ my kids and all the adventures that we've had!

sparrow pit! love it.
lovely mirror, darn thing.

Thanks everyone - for both the tips and the kind words! I appreciate all your comments. Cheers!

Wonderful sketch, and the commentary on the mirror always falling off made me smile. We had a car whose mirror did that with regularity. We actually got pretty good at not having one for short periods of time. Good luck finding a good adhesive!

I so love your countryside ones and this one has such a delightful perspective.

What an usual perspective. Brilliant idea and a great drsawing, as usual!

Thanks guys, and I'm still having to stick it on everytime I get into the car!

Wipe both surfaces with White vinegar and let it dry before using the DST, it works for me.

Fabulous drawing.

Ah yes, those ne'er forgotten lost treasures ... I will sit awake tonight trying to figure out how you drew this one Andrea. :) So beautiful.

This proves your wonderful observational skills, you noticed every detail and still remember it.
You probably didn't need another purse and talked yourself out of it, only to regret.I do it all the time, with things. Memories,well you have that purse as a memory and now a great drawing.

such perfection...

Hi Andrea! I guess I'm agreeing with Milly, although I know what you mean about letting things go you wish you had bought afterwards . . . But it's true that you now have this wonderful, wonderful drawing of it! I just LOVE it!!!

Lovely!
I like very much the drawing's that you use a pen, I have to buy one could you suggest me one?

From memory! It has such a nice velvety texture.

Gorgeous little flowers on this one! I will never cease to be amazed at your detailing!!! BTW, I've tagged you a "Rockin' Girl Blogger," go to my blogsite to see!

Your drawings give me a great sensation of calm and serenity, somekind of wisdom (I'm trying not to talk of the great beauty or the gogeous technique).
Thank you for your comments I'm really flattered. I must admit that I', using a brrown pen after seeing your drawings. By the way, I use a Pilot G-Tech-C4, but I think that yours is thinner, could you please tell me what kind of pen is it?
Finally, yes, I am on Flickr (only with my photos) here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mherranz/

Cheers guys,

I like this one 'cos it just came straight out of the memory bank. I love that - what drawing can bring up. Yet another cool thing about drawing in my opinion.

France, I'm glad you got that texyure because that's what I was trying to convey.

Miguel (and Computerate), that is the exact pen that I use - in black and brown.

Computerate, you know I'm not much of an expert in different pens. I find that you just need to try out a few pens and settle for the one that works for you and your style. I'm not fussy about different brands - I use whatever feels right. Just experiment!

Cheers Brenda!

Thanks everyone.

I like your style !
Tous ces dessins sont magnifiques !

Wow Andrea, I can't believe you drew this from memory ... I wouldn't have tackled it if it had been sitting in front of me, all those flowers and details! Amazing.

Thanks Andrea!
M.

Cheers guys. All of your visits and comments mean so much to me. Thanks.

Wow! Wow! Wow! You are amazing!

oh i love this :-) the little rims of color around each shaving and the broken points and bits.
now tell me, what is Dettol?

You forgot our old friend, Bob Ross. LOL.
I'm guessing that you use a conventional pencil sharpener rather than a knife then.
Once more you've made something special from something ordinary. Looks like your next pic will have to be a bottle of Dettol!

You're just bloody amazing, that's all there is to it. You could drawn the leftovers of my lunch and I'd be looking for a frame, for Pete's sake!

Andrea, for some reason this is one of my MOST favourite of all your drawings! Is that too silly or what? Pencil shavings!

Great idea!

Wow thanks guys! I'm very touched as I was seriously cosidering NOT posting this. I didn't think it worked. So thanks, your comments are a real ego boost!

Tracy, I did wonder if Dettol was a British brand; it's an anti-septic disinfectant!!

Gillian, I must say that I'm not that inspired by the thought of drawing the dettol, however, there was an anti-bacterial handwash that was calling me to draw it just the other day! Ad I did forget Bob; although he has been a long term obsession of mine!


Cheers everyone...Ryan I'm blushing!!

You see beauty in almost everything! Amazing work!Well done.

Wonderful pencil shavings!
Are you planning to draw Kim's revealing hipsters?

"You could drawn the leftovers of my lunch and I'd be looking for a frame" - took the words right out of my mouth. Freakin' AH-MAY-ZING Andrea. Just amazing.

Absolutely amazing! May ask you what size is the original?

claudia

Love it, wish I had done mine in colour. Don't you just hate it when you just finish sharpening and the lead drops out! You are amazing.

Cheers guys,

Yes Eileen, I hate it when the lead breaks - and it seems to happen SO often. Drives me mad.

Claudia, I did this drawing on an A4 page, I usually leave a bit of a border of perhaps an inch.

Dinahmow, I couldn't do those hipsters justice!

Thanks Juj and Claudia, I appreciate your kind comments.

Amazing!
Hey, Kath and Kim - you don't mean that awful Australian comedy on TV. I don't like it at all - perhaps it's too close to the truth of people I know!
w.

I've just faved this on Flickr, it's absolutely brilliant ... and all your drawings deserve framing and an exhibition! I'm in line for the book ... :)

Andrea--

This is very nice. You have taken NOTHING and made it into SOMETHING! Just goes to show that stuff to draw is close at hand if we look for it. It's great to see your work and read your narratives.

Cheers guys!

Wendy, yes, I do mean that awful Australian comedy. I love it! And yes I do know what you mean about it being to close to the truth...partly why I do love it so much.

Thanks Mariana and Terry.

This caught my eye immediately as I scrolled through your page. It's perfect: abstract at first, then photographically familiar, explosive yet quiet, messy yet completely composed. Awesome. And I love the The Who reference (the The?).

I must agree with Kathleen, this has got to be my favourite!! It just looks so incredibly REAL! It must have taken hours!

*starts breathing into paper bag*

Thank you both,

Anthony, I'm guessing that you're quite a Who fan yourself. They have such an amazing catalogue of work, don't they? For me they have some of the best driving music you could ever want. Thanks for the comment. I'm a bit fan of yours too!

Fricka, thank you - your comment really did make me LOL!

i love all your purses - i absolutely do! and these 2 cuties are a wonderful addition to the group.

Andrea, what a wonderful slideshow! You've inspired me -- I sometimes think I have nothing around me to draw! - Barbara

OMG Bob Ross crossed the Atlantic!! I used to find his show mesmerizing... and I love your purse!

Ha....of course every purse needs a partner!!!!! These are great...and I love looking back at all your bags together!

This set od drawings takes my breath away. Stunning.

Beautiful work as always. Yes I am a follower of keeping the pencils sharp, go through loads of pencil sharpeners . You amaze me with your subject matter, whatever it is you make it look stunning.Eileen

Thanks guys,

Barbara, there is always something to draw. I think about 98% of the work I've produced has been from stuff around the house. Which helps as I am quite reclusive!

Jeanette, yes Bob crossed the Atlantic - via some obscure cable channel. I get very passionate about him and really must do a post about him one day. I found his voice so mesmerizing. So beautiful you could float off into one of his landscapes on a happy little cloud!

Cheers guys!

(Oh and something funny happened with the scan and the spots on the red purse)

These purses are absolutely out of this world!!! I'll take one in each color for my granddaughters!!! LOL

PS -- thankyou for your kindest comments, Andrea ....!

well, of course, what would red purse do without green purse! your coloring skills blow my mind, these are delightful

Charming! Yes, really!

Thanks guys, I'm flattered.

Aaaw Lin, I only have one purse left (gave the other away) or I would have sent them to you!

Cheers!

Absolutely gorgeous, each one of your drawings is so incredibly inspiring, I can't believe it's taken me so long to visit again when I'm so addicted!

Wow! YOur work always knock me over. These are so cute and colorful!

This is a lovely couple!
And I, too, like your work in colors muchly, it shines!:)

Aaaw, thank you, lovely people!

Like always, lovely!
M.

Beautiful!! What a hand you have :)
I was happy to see you again, many hugs Andrea!

Great job!

Wow, this is even better than the Flickr site, you can click on the image and get a super huge view! Great detail!

She's gorgeous!! Really soft and just.. beautiful :)

This is yummy..... just look at that texture. I'm amazed, how did you do that? Beautiful.

How you get such gorgeous tones with a pencil is beyond me. Do you have to keep your pencils wickedly sharp?
Very nice.

So delightful, so simple. I just scribble, but you are so focussed with your use of tone.
w.
And I love elephants of course.

Thanks guys,

Jo, I'm not sure what's going on with this elephant - it's uploaded HUGE, here and on Flickr. It's only a smallish drawing.

JMatt, VERY sharp pencils yes!

Cheers all.

What sort of paper do you use, Andrea - is it really smooth?

gorgeous

Fabulous ellie! I love the names of some colours too. They are so poetic.
Please would you share more info about your materials and methods? What sort of sharpening device do you use? I always get in a mess!

Really lovely pencil work Andrea.
Re: the size of your elephant - When you scan or photograph in readiness for uploading, choose your size by pixels, not by inches or cm, which could well be sized to 300ppi. So re-size to maybe 600 pixels, and upload, and see if you like that. My laptop is 1920 pixels wide, but others might only be 800, so your elephant at 1600 pixels wide, would seriously overflow that smaller screen.

Wordy, but I hope I have explained OK.

After scouring my nose across the computer screen for the bazillionth time I have finally resigned myself that no matter how hard I look I will probably never see how you manage all that beautiful texture, and so I have decided to quit wondering and just enjoy enjoy enjoy.

Thank you guys,

Alison, I always use a Windsor & Newton heavyweight paper (it HAS to be heavyweight to put up with all the lines!). It is called smooth surface - although it's not the smoothiest I've ever used. It's nowhere near as smooth as a Moleskine for example. It's the best paper I've ever found - and not too expensive either.

Gillian, in this drawing I used Karisma pencils - unfortunately they have been discontinued. I'm not too fussy with the materials I use (anything I've got close by). I just use those cheap metal pencil sharpeners - I don't find they last long though so I go through quite a few of them. I do keep my pencils very sharp.

Cheers all and thanks for the advice Blisshill.