Here in the UK, we’re entering week eight of this lockdown thing, and eagerly anticipating the Prime Minister’s speech tonight: I suspect most will be disappointed that we’re not allowed to congregate freely, go to a pub, or have a nice meal in a restaurant: totally missing the point and seriousness of what we’re all experiencing. I’ll be pleased, though to visit the garden centre, if, as popularly predicted, they’re to be allowed to re -open.

Anyhow, enough of ( contentious) current affairs: I’ve been busy behind the scenes with a couple of nice commissions for a wedding anniversary gift- I’ll share them when they’ve been given- and also with the filing of some commissioned video demonstrations for two of my regular workshop venues. These are being edited by the teams at each venue, and as soon as I can, I’ll share them here. In the absence than of a new ‘JH’ demo, here’s a little sketchbook video tour that I just uploaded to my Youtube channel. the full description of what it is is on the video page……hope you enjoy it. Don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ and the notification bell so you’ll be alerted as I add new content…and please do let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see more of?

Not in the league of Breaking Bad or Downton Abbey, just t the completion of the derelict barn that I started last week. I completed the watercolour stage of this line and wash sketch, filmed it( again, with stuttering, mumbling commentary) and part 1 of the colour process is on my Youtube channel, along with 2 & 3, for your perusal. I’ve learnt that keeping the individual video segments around the 10-12 minute mark has a few benefits: the smaller file sizes are much easier to move around my sophisticated video editing suite ( iPhone, iPad, iMovie, Mac Book); post production is easier; the uploading process is shorter, and last but not least, the actual watching is less onerous…sitting down to watch an hour long film is ok if the subject is David Hockney, but my scribblings should just about bear a ten minute watch. None of these filmed demos are any substitute, though, for an actual demo or workshop with real live folk .. remember them? Seems so long ago since my last such event, up near Stokesley in the North East in March…hopefully normal service will resume sooner rather than later.

Here’s the link to the latest instalment in this demo…hope you enjoy it: if you do , consider subscribing to my channel so you won’t miss new videos as they ‘re available. Parts two and three of the colour process are there too.

Hope we’re all managing to stay safe, and sane? My solution to the rather frustrating situation is to walk the dog, start on the enormous pile of unread books and, of course, draw!

Anyway, in response to quite a few requests, I’ve just completed stage one of a new line and wash demonstration and part one is now on my YouTube channel…I realised that a shorter film is easier to upload, and hopefully not as onerous to watch in one sitting….Part two will be uploaded in the next day or so, followed by the watercolour .

A surfeit of seasonal Easter chocolate must have addled what passes for my brain: I forgot to update the last post with the news that I finally triumphed over the obstacles that were in the way, & that my latest cinematic opus is available on the Tube of You.

here’s the link…. Watch, enjoy, criticise, suggest…

So, I’ve finally finished (and filmed) stage three of my line and wash demo of the Lakeland cottage, but I’m beset with gremlins that are conspiring to thwart me uploading it to YouTube. I really wanted it to be available over the weekend as many folk have said they’d find it useful… bear with me-I’m determined not to be beaten. In the meantime, here’s a screenshot of the finished drawing

…..and no signs of the dreaded boredom: I count myself so lucky that I have never had a problem filling ‘spare’ time, and we certainly have plenty of that just now. I’m zipping through sketchbook pages at a rate of knots …I’ll share some of them when I get to the end of the one nearest being filled, probably in a video flip-through_ speaking of which, I’ve just uploaded a new video to my Youtube channel….I’ve already had plenty of feedback as to what folk like/dislike, or would like to see covered in future films, so keep an eye on the channel by subscribing and clicking the little bell icon to be notified when I add a new video.

You can find it here:

So, how are we all? Staying put, I assume, apart from the permitted trips for essential victuals and exercise?
Me? Well, my garage/shed/art spaces have never been tidier or more organised..& that’s only a week in!
Decided that this week should be more art and drawing focused, so to kick off, I filmed a new stage one clip: a pen and wash demo piece in my sketchbook ( well, one of the three I’m currently working in!).
It’s up on my YouTube channel now … do let me know what you think: commentary useful or not? I’m slowly learning how to use iMovie ( managed a title😜)… do you think an end title, listing materials I used, would be useful?
Here’s the link…& do stay safe.