Six Sixes – original cricket drawing

It was suggested that I complete a drawing of Ross Whiteley hitting a wonderful six sixes in the 2017 T20 Blast for Worcestershire CC.  After viewing the over I decided to draw all six of the hits.  It was a great challenge and the largest cricket drawing I have completed.  Setting the hits out as in a cricket score book they are drawn in charcoal and white charcoal on light grey pastel paper.

This was a great challenge.  Initially I was only going to complete one of the hits.  After watching the footage I decided to sketch them out in my sketchbook with pencil and watercolour to get an idea of which hit I preferred.

Here is a shot where you can see the sketchbook open at a couple of hits…

I could not decide which hit to go for so struck on the idea of completing all six.  At first I thought of producing a long narrow drawing with them all on in order.  That may have proved tricky with prints and indeed to frame it (maybe another time) so then I thought of setting them out as in a score book, like a dice of six.

Here is a slide show of some of the shots…..

 

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My biggest problem was simply the lack of detail.  I could not make out any of the features of the cricket players or details of their clothes etc.  I also wish it had been test cricket so I could add my signature red to the ball.  However, I concentrated on the hits themselves.  Hope you like it…

Prints are available (limited to 50)  Click here

Or on the drawing below to go to my website….

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Misbah’s sweep – original Pakistan cricket drawing

Took a break on bank holiday Monday to go to a proper cricket match.  Visiting Edgbaston for the first time we watched Warwickshire beat Somerset in the Royal London semi-final by only 10 runs so it was pretty close / tense.

It was great to watch Jonathan Trott again, haven’t seen him play for a while.  I’ve been listening to county cricket commentary on my radio most of the summer so I know alot of names but not how they play.

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My piece this week is a commission.  Misbah Ul Haq performing his excellent reverse sweep shot.  His class shot that he’s performed the world over.  Here is the progress shots of the drawing as I work in my customary manner of building up the shade.

 

 I also prepared a timelapse video of my drawing Misbah’s face.  Unfortunately it did not record so I prepared another one drawing a different section…..

 

It’s a little bit wobbly but you get the general idea…..

Here is the finished piece, the original is sold but I have made 50 limited edition prints available.  You can visit my website shop here or click on the image below to follow the link for prints.

Misbah’s Sweep

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On Friday mornings I am going to be drawing portraits from life.  Something that I have wanted to try for a while.  I will be in Two Doors Studio (Alsager) in their cafe to draw willing victims.  Currently I can’t charge for this service as I am only practising, it is going to take a while to made the adaption from photographs to drawing from life.  Hopefully this is something that I can eventually offer as a service.  Here is photo of me concentrating very hard…

Although I have being working on the Misbah commission, my portrait drawing ‘The Glance’ was sold (very quickly) and much to my delight.  I will make prints available of this drawing and let you know when they are ready….

The Glance

Cricket Art in charcoal & Open studios

I always feel better when I start a new cricket drawing, not sure why. I think it just feels comfortable and easy going.  This week I am drawing the wonderfully quirky image of the Pakistan Captain – Misbah Ul Haq doing his famous push up warm up before going in to bat.  His partner Shafiq walks past with a grin on his face.  It’s a great image.  Here’s some progress drawings where I am making scratchy marks for the shadow areas and the proportions..

Adding the shadow areas and checking that the proportions are correct.

The exhibition is carrying on at Bickerton, nice to see another red dot on one of my drawings and to see that my piece Owl Babies now has a new home.

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This week I’ve been working on putting my limited edition prints onto canvas.  Its been a learning curve as I have never stretched canvas before.  I am able to print out on my printer for a canvas for 15 x 10 inch sizes but for bigger I would need to out source them.

Here’s the first one of ‘That Taylor Catch’ – I am really pleased with it, the colours are just as sharp as the prints on paper.  They can be bought like this or bought in a frame (more details of the framed pieces to follow)

That Taylor Catch Canvas

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On the 7th August I will taking part in an Art Fayre at the Lion Salt Works in Northwich.  A full day when I will have cricket drawings, prints, mugs and cards as well as my animal drawings and prints.  I went on a little visit to check out the venue.  It’s very smart, with a cafe and if you’re interested in the history of the place there’s a great museum.

Sales this week are:

That Taylor Catch Original Drawing

That Taylor Catch Print

The original of ‘That Taylor Catch’ is on its way to somewhere special as well as a print.

‘That Taylor Catch’ – original charcoal cricket drawing

It’s been great fun drawing this cricket art, I can safely say that every part of the drawing has gone exactly how I planned it.  In part that was due to the fact that it was such a good action shot that it spoke for itself.  Also, I knew from the outset what I wanted to achieve and where the focus was going to go.  The original drawing is not for sale but I have made a run of 50 limited edition prints – if you are interested you can click here or click on the drawing to follow the link to my shop.  Please note, the wording ‘limited edition print’ will not be on your print.

That Taylor Catch

As I went along I have also been making  progress clips that I have put all together in a video….

 

I’d love to know your feedback and please feel free to share it.

T20 Rocket – progress charcoal cricket drawing

This is mid progress, there is still alot of work to do.  Currently there is too much charcoal on the paper so the next major job is to do lots of blending to create mid tones, the face needs more work and then the wicket keeper – who will remain in shadow but still needs defining.

Progress Drawing

SlipScream – original charcoal cricket drawing

My first drawing of cricket slips, it captures perfectly the moment when the slips leap up in unison, almost like a synchronized dance.  We do not know what is happening at the crease, the piece of action that has elicited the slips reaction is hidden from view.  We also do not know if their appeal was successful as this is a suspended moment in a cricket match.  Like any sport, such a series of moments make the whole match so exciting.  It is drawn in charcoal on pearl grey Canson Mi Teintes paper.  The original and limited edition prints are available, click on the image to follow the link or click How to Buy

SlipScream

Cricket commissioned drawing

This commission is now complete.  I have managed to place the ball so it looks like it is being punched down the ground.  It was hard to tell from the reference photo.  The customer loves it and it is one of two drawings of himself that he has commissioned.  Great to draw sports drawings again