Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Agiou Nikolaou / Aγίου Νικολάου

Afternoon coffee Agiou Nikolaou Street. Post carnival scene. Lovely sunny day but terribly cold.
Απογευματινός καφές Αγίου Νικολάου. Χτες μας έπνιξε στην βροχή. Όποιος ήθελε να πετάξει χαρταετό ατύχησε. Σήμερα είχαμε ήλιο με δόντια.



Small 10x15cm Fabriano sketchbook Pencil + watercolour

Monday, February 20, 2012

Carnival Statue / Καρναβαλικό Άγαλμα

The central streets of Patras are full of statues of all shapes and sizes carved out of styrofoam blocks.
Οι κεντρικοί δρόμοι της Πάτρας είναι γεμάτοι με την παρέα του βασιλειά καρνάβαλου. Εκάτσα σε μια καφετέρια στην Ρήγα Φεραίου και κοιτάω προς την διασταύρωση με Παντανάσσης.



Small 10x15cm Fabriano sketchbook Pencil + watercolour

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Children's Carnival / Καρναβάλι των μικρών

It's carnival season all over Greece. Different regions celebrate in different ways, although all carnivals in Greece are linked with ancient pagan rituals such as those in honour of the God Dionysus performed in the dead of Winter in anticipation of Spring. Our town boasts the largest and most spectacular carnival in Greece. It is considered that its present form originated in the 1800s, established by the town's affluent offspring who had studied abroad, mainly Italy, and once home decided to organise parties based on Venetian traditions. There are other influences including the rich culture of the Ionion islands and the French army stationed in town after independance from Ottoman rule. The port's shipping links with Italy and the West have further ensured its western characteristics.

History lesson aside, today the children's carnival took place, one week before the grand parade. Around 8000 children took part with their mums and dads in what is an immensely fun and colourful parade. Just to give you an idea, here are some photos from previous years.

And here are some photos of this year's carnival by local photographer Chris Kosmas.

There were so many people that it was impossible to find a spot to draw. After the parade I sat in the empty seats in the town square and settled in trying to draw the swirl around me. You need to be quick to draw kids I can tell ya! I need practice.

Για μια γρήγορη αναδρομή στην ιστορία του Πατρινού καρναβαλιού πηγαίνετε εδώ.

Για άλλη μια χρoνιά είχαμε μια εντυπωσιακή παρέλαση στο καρναβάλι των μικρών. Μετά την παρέλαση έκατσα πάνω στις εξέδρες στην πλατεία και προσπάθησα να ζωγραφήσω τα πιτσιρίκια. Δύσκολο εγχείρημα παιδιά. Στασό δεν έχουν. Θέλω εξάσκησει!







Small 10x15cm Fabriano sketchbook Pencil + oil pastel

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Sunday drive / Κυριακάτικη βόλτα

Minimalist view of the town square.
Πλατεία Γεωργίου σε μινιμάλ έκδοση.




In Patras on central streets it is always worthwhile to look up.
Στην Πάτρα στους κεντρικούς δρόμους αξίζει να κοιτάς προς τα πάνω.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

This is how the year began / Έτσι ξεκίνησε ο καινούργιος χρόνος

Working with pencil and oil pastels in the car..
Σχεδιάζοντας μέσα στο αυτοκίνητο με μολύβι και παστέλ λαδιού..



.. and with a really lovely brand new Fabriano notebook in a cafe. I have a very serious paper fetish going on and this little notebook has a great deal going for it.
.. και με ένα όμορφο και ολοκαίνουργιο σημειωματάριο Fabriano σε καφετέρια. Σκέτη απόλαυση το χαρτί του.

Pitt pens and pencil.


View from the cafe.


View from the cafe2.