Orchestral Manoeuvers

I’ve been thinking for a while that I need to do more drawing, and after sketching the conductor Robin Browning a few months ago, I asked permission to return and sketch the orchestra. What was I thinking? Sketch an ORCHESTRA? There were dozens of them flapping their arms and waving bows, fiddles, oboes and trumpets around. All so very hard to draw! And I went through my usual self-critical bashing trying to decide “how” I should try to draw them; with what materials; and who am I as an artist? Then I got over myself and looked and looked and just tried different ways of capturing the lovely shapes of instruments and the concentrated players.
My determination to crack this one has become something of a little goal to aim for. For years I’ve been illustrating and trying to produce “perfect” or at least accomplished images that will be printed, preserved and published. The freedom of a sketchbook is wonderfully liberating. I just need to “let go” and enjoy the ride. Enjoy the mistakes. Be brave.
And what a wonderful environment to sit and sketch in, listening to Beethoven, Strauss, wallowing in the sounds and learning so much about the structure and nature of the works as they are taken apart and put back together again. It WAS hard work, but I loved it. Here are just a few of the sketches. Eventually I would like to work up to larger more expressive pieces. But we will see how it goes.


The concert is going to be fabulous and I’m especially looking forward to hearing the truly great pianist John Lill CBE in the “Emperor” concerto by Beethoven. Lill played at the very first Classical concert I ever went to, in 1982 at the Royal Albert Hall. I was 17 and I loved the whole thing. He played Grieg’s piano concerto and I’ve always remembered it. If you are local, then why not come along? CLICK HERE FOR A LINK.