Resolution

Amongst the boring old same old, same old resolutions of losing some weight, being patient with my children, cleaning my car more than once a year and trimming the guinea pig's fur before it looks like Bob Marley, I have one resolution for 2013 that I am really looking forward to.

I will go out and sketch in the big wide world. I won't worry that someone might look over my shoulder. I shan't procrastinate because I haven't got the right sized sketchbook. I certainly will not put it off because there is too much housework! I am very pleased to have joined the group Drawing Allowed - currently five of us meeting to sketch and inspire each other (see the lovely blog www.drawingallowed.blogspot.co.uk from the wonderful Fiona Mill).

So yesterday my daughter had a hockey match and whilst she played I popped down to a local trail near the canal and took the plunge. Not in the canal in my sketchbook! It was a bonus that I only had 25 minutes because it really made me get on with it and anyway it was  -2° !!

I like the lower left mauve speckles - that was where the paint froze!
I used inkpen with water soluble ink and watercolour.

Yes I really needed a hot chocolate when I came home; that screwed resolution number one anyway!

After my hands had thawed I embarked on some comforting traditional patchwork.

...and stoked the fire .... bliss!