Scotstober Week Four.

1st November 2024Drawingadmin1

Week Four. Each October a list, one for each day of 30 Scottish words, is published. Scotstober as an event is for fun, inviting anyone to have a go and publish the result on social media under the hashtag #Scotstober.

It can be a drawing, sculpture, poem, collage, blog entry, song, joke, story, comic, or whatever the day’s word inspires you to make. Do Scotstober every day of October or just the days that take your fancy. There are no rules.

Word 23: Gled.

Our super hero, Superhen is held in the claws of a giant hawk controlled by the evil villain. But unseen by him three bursting bags of the hawks favourite food have been launched over the battlements with the intent of neutralising his control of the bird and freeing our heroin.In Scots: Ha Ha yer in the gleds gruip noo Superchook, ah've had mha gled ee on yer pooers for years an ther's nocht ye kin do but snuil doon noo an gie them tae me. Mha Super Gled here will dae oniething for Dr Snoddy's patented bird food, it's her only weakness ha ha. An yer at her mercy cos there's neen tae be had but what I huv in mha haun. Translate: gled: common kite or hawks in general. In English: Ha Ha your in mortal danger now Superhen I've had my greedy eye on your powers for years and there's nothing you can do but cow down now and give them to me. My Super Hawk here will do anything for Dr Snoddy's patented bird food, it's her only weakness ha ha. And you're at her mercy because there's none to be had but what I have in my hand. — Word 23 Scotstober. Gled: common kite or hawks in general..

Word 24: Coo.

Cow comes flying over the crest of a hill and half buries itself into the ground, the referee writes into his clipboard declaring the throw void as the coo is dead and shouts that at the competitor who sticks his head up over the hill. (animated gif)In Scots: Ah’m scrievin doon here that yir throw’s void cos yir coo’s deid. (Coo hurlin’s no an Olympic Gemm nor a Hieland Gemm event, nivir was, and nivir will be). Translate: coo: cow. In English: I’m noting down that your throw is void because your cow is dead. (Cow lobbing is not an Olympic Games nor a Highland Games event, never was, and never will be). — Word 24 Scotstober. Coo: cow.

Word 25: Ben.

In Scots: Awa ben the hoose a start on yer homework, yer skoosh is on the table unner the monitor.I’ll bring through yer tea when it’s ready. It’s yer favourite. Chook an chips. Translate: chaw: chew. In English: Take yourself inward through the house and make a start on your homework, your fizzy drink is on the table under the monitor. I’ll bring through your dinner when it’s ready. It’s your favourite. Chicken and chips. — Word 25 Scotstober. Chaw: chew.

Word 26: Knap.

One stout muscly man in furs with a club in the foreground gingerly feels the red glowing bump developing on his forehead while a thinner slighter man in a loincloth waving his club gesticulates in the background.In Scots: Onie mair o yer snash an I'll gie ye anither knap or twa or three tae mind ye yer manners. Translate: knap: A lump, bump, any rounded knob; a knot or protuberance; to knock, strike sharply, rap. In English: Any more of your cheek and I'll give you another lump or two or three to remind you of your manners. — Word 26 Scotstober. Knap: A lump, bump, any rounded knob; a knot or protuberance; to knock, strike sharply, rap.

Word 27: Toon.

Two men contemplating the waves lapping at the edge of a massive sea wall of which the tops of the tallest buildings in the town peep up behind them. Including a silver X rocket and plumes of smoke from the abandoned buildings.In Scots: Nivir mind Musk old man, yer billions have saved this toon, it's a legacy o sorts. A shame we et the last o the last inhabitant last night. An used the last o the rocket fuel tae fire the oven too. Ach weel. Translate: toon: town. In English: Never mind Musk old man, your billions have saved this town, it is a legacy of sorts. A shame we ate the last of the last inhabitant last night. And used the last of the rocket fuel to fire the oven too. Oh dear. — Word 27 Scotstober. Toon: town.

With the AMOC becoming increasingly unstable and catastrophe probably at any time I wondered if I should have added icebergs because that looks like that may be what the future is for us in N. Europe. Hey Ho. At least there’s no safe place for billionaires either.

The AMOC (Atlantic meridional overturning circulation) is the current that circulates temperatures held in water in a cycle between the South and North of the globe. It’s visibly becoming unstable because increased rainfall and melting sea ice is affecting the salinity of the oceans.

One likely result of any failure of the AMOC is that the North will become much colder and the South hotter creating even more violent and unstable weather around the globe. Wickipedia 1 November 2024

Word 28: Poke.

Shop keeper in a white coat about to dish up some sweets from giant jars full of them into a small paper bag.In Scots: “Right son, hoo many grannie-sookers di ye want in yir poke?" Translate: poke: bag. In English: “All right young man, how many pan-drops (sweets grannies love to suck) do you want in your bag?" — Word 28 Scotstober. Poke: poke.

Word 29: Forret.

Mouse in fancy dress on a box holding out her bag for treats while the ogre, standing beside a hot pot bellied stove, prepares to clobber her with his frying pan unaware that there is a giant mouse in the dark behind him about to clobber him with a massive uprooted tree. In Scots: Yer surprisingly forret fur a wee moose guisin in the dark in this part o the wids. Whaur's aw yer pals? Ye'll be lookin for a sweet tae eat fur yer trouble ah suspect. But dae ye ken whit I like tae eat? It's no a sweet. It's a moose flattened on a pan, fried, an aw fancy dressed. Har har har. Translate: forrit, forret: forward, ahead, onward. In English: Your surprisingly forward for a small mouse trick or treating in the dark in this part of the woods. Where's all your pals? You'll be looking for a sweet to eat for your trouble I suspect. But do you know what I like to eat? It is not a sweet. It's a mouse flattened on a pan, fried, and all fancy dressed. Har har har. — Word 29 Scotstober. Forrit, forret: forward, ahead, onward.

Word 30: Smirr.

Old ladies with too much protective clothing for summer in the Highlands.In Scots: “Ach it's jist a smirr o rain Senga. Ah dinni think we'll bother uppin the brollies." Translate: smirr: soft rain, a misting of rain. In English: “My, it's just a very light soft shower of rain Senga. I don't think we will bother to deploy the umbrellas." — Word 30 Scotstober. Smirr: soft rain, a misting of rain.

Word 31: Baigie.

Three giant robots with dead persons now skeletons with wires once upon a time attached to the, no longer there, skin of the skull in their transparent head caps are discussing one's upgrade.In Scots: Mind, way back, hoo we cam tae feel gey dowf an athoot ettle efter thon cosmic radiation burst what killed aw the organic craiters hereaboots. Weel! I redded oot mha heid pan o them orra auld dry sticks an installed a baigie. An ahm tellin you, ah feel like mha auld self again. Buzzin! Translate: baigie: the purple-topped Swedish turnip. In English: Remember, way back, how we came to feel dull, hollow, dispirited and without purpose after that cosmic radiation burst that killed all the organic animals hereabouts. Well! I cleared out my head pan of those odd old dry sticks and installed a turnip. And I am telling you, I feel like my old self again. Buzzing. — Word 31 Scotstober. Heid: baigie: the purple-topped Swedish turnip.

Scotstober 2024.

Week one: 1 tyne, 2 dicht, 3 noo, 4 haar, 5 clype, 6 boak, 7 tap.
Week two: 8 lang, 9 haiver, 10 thole, 11 bile, 12 jouk, 13 cuddie, 14 gowster, 15 puddock.
Week three: 16 howff, 17 lum, 18 tuim, 19 squint, 20 heilan, 21 sook, 22 heid.
Week four: 23 gled, 24 coo, 25 ben, 26 knap, 27 toon, 28 poke, 29 forret, 30 smirr, 31 neep, tumshie, baigie.

Scotstober Week Three.

24th October 2024Drawingadmin1

Week three. Each October a list, one for each day of 30 Scottish words, is published. Scotstober as an event is for fun, inviting anyone to have a go and publish the result on social media under the hashtag #Scotstober.

Word 16: Howff.

Crypt lid, quilted, insulated and soundproofed on the inside, is held open in the early morning dark in the Dundee Howff by an attendant as a figure descends its stairs into the electric lit up to date equipped depths.In Scots: It's a heid scratcher tae aw o us, o immortal Lord, why ye settled yer secret eternal abode doonstairs in The Howff, it's got mair deid bodies than ye can shak a stick at. And it's owerleuked aw weys an there's aye some jakey or ither cuttin aboot in here no matter the day or the oor. Mind you, yer trust fund has kept us in marmalade oer the generations so massell and my descendants wul speir ye nane ahn we'll aye be here tae attend tae ye on yer annual October outings. But I suspect yer plans tae place solar panels on the roof o the crypts and wind generators tae replace the urns oan the pillars is going tae draw unwanted attention. Especially in Dundee. Translate: howff: An enclosed open space, a yard, in Dundee a particular old graveyard in the city centre. In English: It's a puzzle to all of us, oh immortal Lord, why you settled your secret eternal abode downstairs in The Howff, it's got more dead bodies than you can shake a stick at. And it's overlooked all ways and there's always some odd-body or other cutting about in here whatever the day or the hour. However, your trust fund has kept us in marmalade over the generations so me and my descendants wont ask any questions and we will always be here to attend to you on your annual October outings. But I suspect your plans to place solar panels on the roof of the crypts and wind generators to replace the urns on the pillars is going to draw unwanted attention. Especially in Dundee. — Word 16 Scotstober. Howff: An enclosed open space, a yard, in Dundee a particular old graveyard in the city centre.

Word 17: Lum.

Chimney sweeps on a very extensive set of roofs in a multiple choice situation.In Scots: “LISTEN! Ye jist roar queen mum doon each lum till ye hear big Erchie roar back." Translate: lum: chimney, chimney stack. In English: “LISTEN! You just shout queen mum loudly down each chimney until you hear big Archibald shout back." — Word 17 Scotstober. Lum: chimney, chimney stack.

Word 18: Tuim.

Two old furry alien guru professor types peering rudely either side into the ears of a sturdy young student held between them.In Scots: His heid's as tuim as we thoucht, ah can see the daylicht glintin aff yer ee Prof. Yet he's got the hauns o an ertist ahn the nieves o a fechter. So dae we pit him in the ert academy or the boxin academy? Translate: toom tuim: empty. In English: His head's as empty as we thought, I can see the daylight glinting off your eye Prof. Yet he's got the hands of an artist and the fists of a fighter. So do we put him in the art academy or the boxing academy? — Word 18 Scotstober. Tuim: empty.

Word 19: Squint.

Lord of the manor in the great hall complaining his family portraits very high up on the very high wall are not hung just right.In Scots: Weel done min, Captain Frumpsqualler the first is noo straicht jist like ye straichtened Skew Bazzer Whiffington ahn the ithers, but ah see Baw Graip Clatterbutt the third is noo the squint yin. Ye'll hae tae toddle up the ledder agin. The fourth jobbie in frae left as ye can see. I'm takin tint o yiz taking doon the ledder iviry time. Ye weel ken mha skelly ee disni tak distraction weel. Ye'll no be forgotten when ye get yer annual day aff at Christmas. Translate: squint: not aligned, off the square. In English: Well done my man, Captain Frumpsqualler the first is now straight just as you have straightened Skew Bazzer Whiffington and the others, but I see Baw Graip Clatterbutt the third is now the misaligned one. You shall have to toddle up the ladder again. It is the simple task of the fourth in from the left as you can see. I am taking note of you two taking the ladder down every time. You certainly appreciate that my awkward eye does not take distractions well. You will not be forgotten when you get your annual day off at Christmas. — Word 19 Scotstober. Squint: not aligned, off the square.

Word 20: Heilan.

Para Handy the captain and his engineer Mr McPhail are talking to a cattle dealer as a skinny cow looks on and the good ship The Vital Spark sits on the mudflats in the background of a low tide evening - as Glasgow puffers do.“If I wass buyin' a coo it wouldna be wan you could hang your hat on in fifty places. No, no, Peter, I'm Hielan', but I'm no' so Hielan' ass aal that.” Para Handy The Vital Spark by Neil Munro. Translate: heilan: highland, highlander; of or from the mountainous parts of Scotland, not defined, or described by any precise limits and also the habit, customs, manners, and languages of the area. “If I was buying a cow it would not be one that you could hang your hat on in fifty places. No, no, Peter, I may be regarded as simple, but I'm not so simple as all that.” — Word 20 Scotstober. Heilan: highland, highlander; of or from the mountainous parts of Scotland, not defined, or described by any precise limits and also the habit, customs, manners, and languages of the area.

Word 21: Sook.

Even the toughest employer rebels against a too keen, too good, too hungry employee."Ah've heard o sookin in wi the boss Smithers but this is takin it ower far. Yir fired!" Translate: sook: sycophant, crawler, toady, to fawn and flatter. "I have heard of sucking up to the boss Smithers but this is taking it too far. You're fired!" — Word 21 Scotstober. Sook: sycophant, crawler, toady, to fawn and flatter.

Word 22: Heid.

Woodcutters trapped in a tree by a ferocious Scottish woodland bird."Yon Capercaillie's totally lost the heid." Translate: heid: head. "That Capercaillie there has totally lost any sense it had in its fit of fury." The Gaelic name for this species, capall-coille, means ‘horse of the forest’. And they will chase you in the breeding season. — Word 22 Scotstober. Heid: head.

Scotstober 2024.

Continue reading Scotstober Week Three. →

Scotstober Week Two.

24th October 2024Drawingadmin1

Week two. Each October a list, one for each day of 30 Scottish words, is published. Scotstober as an event is for fun, inviting anyone to have a go and publish the result on social media under the hashtag #Scotstober.

Word 08: Lang.

Two girls explaining to a discombobulated boy the rules of the game that they are playing with a big dog. In Scots: We’re hae’n a competition tae see hoo lang we can streek the dugs slaver frae its mou afore it braks. The langest distance oot o ten tries or tae when the dug gangs hame is the winner. Nae measurin via the droop, it’s gotta be a straicht measure. We’ve been feedin it brussels sproots. Translate: lang: long. In English: We’re having a competition to see how long we can stretch the dogs slobber from its mouth before it breaks. The longest distance out of ten tries or to when the dog goes home is the winner. No measuring via the droop, it’s gotta be a straight measure. We’ve been feeding it brussels sprouts. — Word 08 Scotstober. Lang: long

word 09: Haiver.

Servant with hot water bottle is disturbing his master in bed, pointing out the cottage window excitedly at aliens and a flying saucer.In Scots: “Awa an wheesht min, yir haiverin!” Translate: haiverin: talking foolishly. In English: “Go away and be silent man, you are speaking nonsense!” — Word 09 Scotstober. Haiver: to talk nonsense.

Word 10: Thole.

A seated Laird roped by the waist to a free-standing wicker chair is gesticulating at his worried looking manservant who is standing by holding a cord, the other end of which is attached to a big bag of bricks teetering on the edge of a low wall overlooking a sheer drop of great distance.In Scots: Ah canni thole this torture onie longer John. Dae yer duty. Tie yer unbrakable cord fast tae this damned tuith ahn kick the bricks oer the cliff. Dinni look sae worried MAN! Ahm no goin anywhere I'm weel yokit tae this chair by stout rope, cos for tae quote the Bard. "Where'er that place be priests ca' hell, Where a' the tones o' misery yell, And ranked plagues their numbers tell, In dreadfu' raw, Thou, Tooth-ache, surely bear'st the bell, Amang them a'!" Translate: thole: To suffer, to be subjected to or afflicted with, to have to bear or endure. In English: I cannot bear this torture any longer John. Do your duty. Tie your unbreakable cord fast to this damned tooth and kick the bricks over the cliff. Don't look so worried MAN! I'm not going anywhere I'm well tied to this chair by stout rope, because to quote the Bard. “ … “ — Word 01 Scotstober. Thole: To suffer, to be subjected to or afflicted with, to have to bear or endure.

Word 11: Bile:

A Rat sipping wine, a Dragon heating a kettle with its breath and a Unicorn knitting are sitting around a picnic on a pleasant summer's evening.In Scots: I think the kettle's bilin noo Sparky, onie mair heat and ye'll hae its erse melted awa. And whaur'll we be with oor tea perty then! Oot! Oot o tea. That's what. Noo pit yer bilet water intae the teapot - ahm gaspin for a cuppa and yin o thon cakes. Ahn in the future listen tae yer kettle, when it biles it sings. Translate: bile: boil In English: I think the kettle is boiling now Sparky, any more heat and you will melt away its bottom. And where will we be with our tea party then! Out! Out of tea. That's what. Now put your boiled water into the teapot - I'm gasping for a cuppa and one of these cakes. And in the future listen to your kettle, when it boils it sings. — Word 11 Scotstober. Bile: boil.

Word 12: Jouk.

Pugilists, one standing, one not, in the ring.In Scots: “Aw his joukin aboot wis a waste o space." Translate: jouk: duck, dodge, avoid. In English: “All his ducking and dodging about was without value and lacking in worth." — Word 12 Scotstober. Jouk: duck, dodge.

Word 13: Cuddy.

A distressed haggisean galloping along the hillside uttering its bagpippean call of distress pursued by a highlander on a small sturdy horse during the final stages of the hunt.In Scots: 'Mad Hielander on a canterin cuddy aboot tae lassoo the Haggis whilst in its bagpippean skirl of distress.' Translate: cuddy, cuddie: a horse, a short thick strong horse. In English: 'Insane Highlander upon a cantering horse about to lasso a Haggis while it is in the throes of its bagpippean piercing call of distress.' Haggis recipe. Use the legs, skin, beak and pistle to make bagpipes. Then stuff all the remaining meat and organs into the stomach of a sheep along with loads of spice. Tie it off with a stout knot and boil the lot until sterilised. Serve the result with mashed turnip and plenty of fresh ground black pepper. — Word 13 Scotstober. Cuddy: a horse, a short thick strong horse.

Word 14: Gowster.

Mouse on the mouse trap is narrowly missed by the spiked hammer swinging overhead resulting in skinned knuckles, toes and ears cropped short plus the cheese bait in its hands got chopped in two.In Scots: Oooyah! Ah thocht ye were a gowster for certie there Widdles. That wiz a close squeek, yir cheese is in twa. Translate: gowster: goner, turned into a ghost. In English: Oh my gosh! I thought you were a goner for certain there Widdles. That was a close squeak, your cheese is in two. — Word 14 Scotstober. Gowster: goner, turned into a ghost.

Word 15: Puddock.

A person being ill while leaning on a dyke while a toad relishes its breakfast of a greasy slug at the base of the wall.In Scots: ‘The diet of a puddock wid gar ye boke.' Translate: puddock: frog Rana or (in this illustration) toad Bufo vulgaris. In English: ‘The diet of a toad is enough to make one vomit.' — Word 15 Scotstober. Puddock: frog Rana or (in this illustration) toad Bufo vulgaris.

Scotstober 2024.

Continue reading Scotstober Week Two. →

Scotstober Week One.

9th October 2024Drawingadmin1

Week one. Each October a list, one for each day of 30 Scottish words, is published. Scotstober as an event is for fun, inviting anyone to have a go and publish the result on social media under the hashtag #Scotstober.

Week one of Scotstober 2024.

Here are the first seven words on the Scotstober 2024 list that I illustrated. They are web screen grabs of the the relevant pages from my Scottish illustrated words site. If you click on an image they will open in a page that lets you swipe/click through the images rather than scroll. I hope you enjoy.

Word 01 Tyne.

A self drive electric car continues to drive about in the smoking dust covered devastated dead wastelands of our future and dreams of his oil powered ancestors back in the days when even a short drive anywhere resulted in the windscreen being covered in multitudes of difficult to clean off squashed insects. In Scots: I dinni miss them that I used tae cairt aboot nor them that were on mha road for I wid be sure tae tyne their life.

It's cos o them that I huv no contact wi wild craiters like mha oil fed ancestors used tae huv aw oer their windaes, lichts an grills, beasties an mair beasties, despite oor pain at their extinction.

That's why I dinni miss the folk I used tae cairt aboot they tyned that wise pain an in consequence left us nocht but dust.

Ahn noo I drive oan alane despising my maker.

Translate:

tyne: To lose, to suffer the loss, destruction, disappearance; to cease to have or enjoy.

In English: I do not miss them that I used to transport nor those in my way because I would be sure that they lost their life.

It's because of them that I have no contact with wild creatures such as my oil fed ancestors used to have all over their windows, lights and grills, insects and more insects, despite our pain at their extinction.

That's why I do not miss the people I used to transport. They disappeared that wise pain and in consequence left us nothing but dust.

And now I drive on alone despising my maker. — Word 01 Scotstober. Tyne: to lose, to suffer the loss, destruction, disappearance; to cease to have or enjoy.

Word 02 Dicht.

Man startled by an unseen event while quietly sitting on the toilet reading his Dundee Courier. In Scots: WARNING. Auto doup dichter in operation.’ In English: ‘WARNING. Automatic bottom wiping mechanism in operation’ — Word 02 Scotstober. Dicht: to wipe.

Word 03 Noo.

Man and boy creating a lot of smoke from big pipes while sheltering under a tarpaulin on the roof of a flooded car, almost completely submerged, during a shockingly heavy downpour of rain. In Scots: Noo Erchie dinni mind the reek, an dinni worry forebye for oor car’s yokit tae a tree. These blootering deluges o noo an times will pass an the water’ll run awa doon the glen as afore. But keep yer pipe smuchterin an ready tae fire up for ye ken the midges will be oot in full force the meenit the last drap’s dropped. In aw oor climate meddlin naebuddy thocht tae tyne the midges. In English: Now Archibald do not mind the smog, an don’t worry also as our car’s harnessed to a tree. These hammering deluges we get nowadays will pass and the water will run away down the glen as in the past. But keep your pipe smouldering and ready to fire up for you know the midges will be out in full force the minute the last drip’s dropped. In all our climate meddling nobody thought to lose the midges. Man and boy creating a lot of smoke from big pipes while sheltering under a tarpaulin on the roof of a flooded car, almost completely submerged, during a shockingly heavy downpour of rain. In Scots: Noo Erchie dinni mind the reek, an dinni worry forebye for oor car’s yokit tae a tree. These blootering deluges o noo an times will pass an the water’ll run awa doon the glen as afore. But keep yer pipe smuchterin an ready tae fire up for ye ken the midges will be oot in full force the meenit the last drap’s dropped. In aw oor climate meddlin naebuddy thocht tae tyne the midges. In English: Now Archibald do not mind the smog, an don’t worry also as our car’s harnessed to a tree. These hammering deluges we get nowadays will pass and the water will run away down the glen as in the past. But keep your pipe smouldering and ready to fire up for you know the midges will be out in full force the minute the last drip’s dropped. In all our climate meddling nobody thought to lose the midges. — Word 03 Scotstober. Noo: now.

Word 04 Haar.

Granny wrapped up warm with two grandchildren in T shirts on a boat on a boating pond in summer as the mist moves across the park, with a warden in the background shouting 'come in number 9 - oops - sorry, do you need any help number 6?' In Scots: Richt bairns, tak yer granny ashore tae a toasty tea room There’s a sair haar movin in oer the water ahn it’s like tae jeel me tae mha banes. Gleg like noo. Translate: haar: A cold mist or fog, gen. used on the east coast for a sea-mist. In English: Righto children, take your granny ashore to a cosy tea room. There’s a cold hard easterly mist moving in over the water and it’ll likely freeze me to my bones. Quick now. — Word 04 Scotstober. Haar: A cold mist or fog, generally used on the East coast for a sea mist.

Word 05 Clype.

An ink stained teacher reaching the end of her tether is reaching back into the darker times of the cane or leather belt for to give 6 of the best in revenge while the schoolchild with the ink stained hand and ruler, standing before her, yells at her classmates who are all pointing the finger. In Scots “Yer all a bunch o clypes!” Translate: clype: tell tale, informer. In English: “You are all a gang of tell tales!” — Word 05 Scotstober. Clype: a tell tale, informer.

Word 06 Boak.

Human beings tied to bread sticks with green savoury herbal ribbons and stacked in a jug who are destined for the monster's savoury dip and eaten get a pep talk. In Scots: “Now lads – dinni ask him aboot the ingredients o the dip, it’ll gar ye boak.” Translate: boak, bock, bok: vomit. In English: “Now guys – don’t ask him about the ingredients of the dip, the answer will make you sick.” — Word 06 Scotstober. Boak: vomit, to feel nauseous.

Word 07 Tap.

Orangutang holding an oar upright is alongside two men on a boat which is being towed by two large basking sharks, one of which has a child riding on its back that is submerged up to its neck in the water. In Scots: I jist think were gonna get done fur cheatin. First, oor towein sharks are clearly veesible, second we’re no rowin, an third, pets are forbidden tae tak pairt in the race. Ahn tae tap it aw we’re contravenin health an safety wi lettin wee Archie ride the shark. In the scud inaw. We’re nivir gonna win the oarsmins’ golden bottle- are we. Translate: tap: top. In English: I just think were going to get done for cheating. First, our towing sharks are clearly visible, second we’re not rowing, and third, pets are forbidden to participate in the race. And to top it all we’re contravening health an safety with letting little Archibald ride the shark. Naked, no less. We’re never going to win the oarsmens’ golden bottle – are we. — Word 07 Scotstober. Tap: top.

Scotstober 2024.

Illustration Development.

5th February 2021Drawingadmin1

Illegal Scottish Highland still drawn with biro pen. — Drawn with a black Bic Biro – the actual artwork is 11cm or 4½” tall. Quite small.

The common Bic Biro, next to the pencil, is one of my favourite drawing tools but if you leave your Bic drawing exposed to the daylight it’ll go brown and eventually fade entirely.

This would have been horrific to many of my students who used to treat all their makings as potential museum quality art. Every piece that flowed from their hand Continue reading Illustration Development. →