Ice sculpture at the Ice Hotel, Jukkasjervi, near Kiruna, Sweden

The Ice Hotel was freezing cold inside ...obvious I suppose, but it was literally freezing outside and breathtakingly cold inside.   I had thought I might do some sketching so I had my sketchbook with me but it was just too cold.   I decided to keep my gloved hands in my pockets!    The tenacity and skill of the sculptors was very impressive and here are a few of the rooms I saw.I am glad I visited when I did.   It's the warmer end of the season but 2 weeks later and the whole place will be melted down...disappeared.

Going into one of the rooms in the Ice Hotel.

2 etchings through to round 2 - Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

I've just found out that I've got  2 etchings through to round 2 for entry to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.   A max of 12,000 could enter round 1 which is shortlisted to 4,000. Need to plan an April trip to London to deliver the work.

Japanese-themed life and costume drawing

A few of the 9 drawings created in a Japanese-themed, costumed and life drawing session.

Pen and ink is good to use when the pose is only 2 minutes long. When there's longer, pastel is possible too, especially on a coloured, textured paper. I tried out some Khadi paper for the first time with pastels. I didn't have long for any of the poses - I added more pastel to the portrait head afterwards.

Very enjoyable with the dramatic lighting, differently applied make up on the model and different poses - must do more!

Etching in a tray of copper sulphate saline solution

My image etching into the metal in the tray of copper sulphate saline solution.

Sketching - a photo from December

 Sketching a lakeside temple in Thailand in  the company of a turtle!

Detail of new etching I'm working on..

Creative hat!

I lost my favourite hat so I've just bought a new one from 'Imogen's Imagination' from her on-line shop at  'Etsy. I think it will help me think creatively and, if not, then keep my head warm!