JOAN SANDFORD-COOK: NEW YEARS EVE LONDON FIREWORKS

Before Christmas I tracked down a company making hand made watercolour sketchbooks named 'handbookjournal co' on the internet and ordered two square 5.5 inch vermillion red covered hard books. I've been using one to find out how well they take water washes and whether you can paint both sides of a sheet without it going soggy or buckled. Hurrah! they are great, so I decided to keep one for my Italy trip and play with the other.

I took one on my visit to our daughters for Christmas and sketched a few scenes in the local pub we stopped at on our way over. Since being back have sketched a few buildings but this afternoon I decided to use some of the photos I took last night of the London Fireworks New Year Celebration we were all up late to see together on TV- as our grand children are staying with us. It was the best ever with music and fireworks working in unison. Here is a watercolour painting of a scene when the skies were all pinks against a silhouetted London skyline.

Wishing you all a very happy and successful NEW YEAR.

12 comments:

Cori Lynn Berg said...: Lovely Joan! I shared this with some UK friends.. thought they would enjoy it! Been really busy lately and have missed some of your posts! Your work always fills me up with joy! Have a blessed new year!; 1 January 2011 at 18:34
Vicki Greene said...: Happy New Year Joan! Like your sketches.; 1 January 2011 at 22:44
Unknown said...: Lovely painting Joan.

Happy New Year Joan, may 2011 bring you peace and happiness.; 2 January 2011 at 16:40
Christiane Kingsley said...: Happy New Year, Joan. We can't wait to see your Italy sketches...this will be such a treat this year for all of us!; 3 January 2011 at 02:38
cathyswatercolors said...: Happy New Year, can't wait to see more sketches. New Years sketch/painting is wonderful; 3 January 2011 at 03:04
Joan Sandford-Cook said...: Thankyou so much everyone for regularly visiting and commenting on my blog and y9ur New Year wishes.; 3 January 2011 at 14:04
Robyn Sinclair said...: Wonderful, spontaneous sketch. I look forward to seeing your Italian sketchbook. I love the format.
Happy New Year, Joan. I'm sure it will be, you have so much to look forward to.; 5 January 2011 at 11:07
Sandra Rowney said...: A great start to the New Year sketching! My father (who was 88 yesterday) said he had lost interest in travelling but his one exception is he would have liked to have been at the New Years Fireworks in London. I missed it on TV but I can see why now.; 5 January 2011 at 12:07
Anita Davies said...: Happy New Year my friend and what a year it's gonna be for us!!! :)

You took photos of the fireworks on TV?

Hand*Book journals are lovely to use, I hope you enjoy filling yours throughout 2011!; 8 January 2011 at 23:40
Joan Sandford-Cook said...: Yes, Anita this wonderful Lumix camera works a treat on anything and I did not even have to stop the programme to get the shots.; 9 January 2011 at 17:01
Anita Davies said...: That's amazing Joan!; 9 January 2011 at 17:31
"JeanneG" said...: I guess you and Anita are going to Italy together. That should be a wonderful trip for you both. Have a great time.; 10 January 2011 at 08:35