Sunday 8 April 2012

The Moorish Archway (1884) - Toledo, Spain.

For better or worse here is the Archway. 

I think I'm moving in the right direction if I'm to get back into drawing. I've opted for something outside of my comfort zone by drawing this wonderful 'shambles' of a building, instead of the more formal architecture I normally draw.


The Moorish Archway - Toledo, Spain.  (12" x 7") Pen & Ink   John Simlett, 2012
I drew professionally through most the 1980s, but in the final two years I only had one day off, a Christmas Day (I worked through the other one). I was starting 'work' at 4-30 each morning and finishing at midnight. The commissions were fast and furious, but never of subjects I wanted to draw. Finally, Pat and I decided there was no quality in the life we were leading and I put away the pens.

I have decided - in hindsight - that there were only three ways to make a living. Drawing the odd original and selling prints - Pat did the marketing. Secondly, I began to write software - same principle:  write the original and sell copies. Then (via Academia) writing books and, once again, trying  to sell copies.  The same formula. ... Then I fell off the roof ... I know, what was an old fool like me doing on the roof? That's me though ... :0))

Because I was grounded for sometime, my best friend, Granddaughter, got me all fired up to start drawing again, occupational therapy I guess, and here I am.

That's the short  simplified version of the story behind this drawing. 

The only other thing to mention is that my hero, Axel Herman Haig, drew this archway in 1884. He was a printmaker, and therefore there was no original drawing, beyond the etching plate from which 300 prints were made. He sold the prints at 2 guineas each.  I just needed to see things through his eyes, albeit our styles are totally different.

I'm thinking about drawing 'Poets Corner' at Westminster Abbey, London, as the next step in my revival-plan.

23 comments:

  1. John, you have done a superb work of the "shambles" of the Moorish Archway. It's wonderful! Perhaps it was almost worth the pain and misery of falling off the roof to start drawing again.

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    1. Thank you, Kathryn. It's strange seeing it that small on the screen. Visit to the hospital tomorrow to sort out date for knee surgery ... and then I'll be fit for the Olympics!!

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  2. It's beautiful, John! Please continue your occupational therapy!

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  3. Pleased you liked it, Judy. My granddaughter is a hard taskmaster :0))

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  4. This Moorish Archway is absolutely incredible, John!! ...the detailing exhausts me!! Please stay off roofs..we need you around to do these incredible drawings!! Good luck with your knee surgery!!

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  5. Aw, thanks Hilda, you are really kind. I need all the encouragement I can get at the moment :0)

    I'm going to have a go at, 'The Entrance to Poets Corner - Westminster Abbey London' next It is the antithesis of The Moorish Archway.

    I can see a Sailor-boy on my sidebar ... so I'm just coming over to see what you've been up to :0)

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  6. Your extraordinary talent grabs our attention with this Archway! So impressive! Sorry it took a fall to get the pen back in your hand, but glad you are drawing again! Hope your knee is healing. Your posts are wonderful -

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    1. You're too kind, Rosemary, thank you. I enjoy your posts, too: the portraits are awe inspiring

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  7. Bad luck to fall off of the roof but it's good that it brought you back to drawing. This is beautifully done. I love your composition and sense of depth.

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  8. Wow, John this is an incredible! It has SO much character! You are a master with your pencil! It goes to show that every cloud... :0)

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. Glad you like it. I'm about to find out if the pen is mightier than the saw ... starting a new double four poster bed this week!

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  10. John, I am so glad we found each other. Not only is the architecture of Spain inspiring but your work is as well! Glad to hear that your granddaughter got you back to it:)

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  11. I'm going to spend sometime today, looking at your Spanish Collection they really are special.
    Thanks for dropping in.

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  12. Ciao, this place is similar to a little country in Italy, Molise (but in Italy there are so many similar place...). Now there are cars, but the general atmosphere is the same that hundred year old.
    Beatiful!
    Ciao, Floriana

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  13. Hi Floriana Yes I agree that Spain and Italy seem to have many such similarities. I do love the way the world un-raps its different architectures for us, in such delightful and diverse ways.
    Ciao ... did I tell you my grandmother was Italian?

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  14. Well John it is simply beautiful! I can see that you have spent lots and lots of time drawing even if you did take a bit of a break. There's just so much skill evident here. :)

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  15. Thank you, Crystal, I'm glad you like it.

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  16. It's lovely, mysterious and romantic - and having seen it, I can hardly wait to see the Poets Corner!

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  17. Thank you, Susan.

    Poets' Corner is a confusion of stained glass, towers and cobbles - it really is the pen & ink tester - a great challenge. I've finished with the pencil and am about to start the ink work.

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  18. Your drawing is fantastic ! Pencil and graphite are my favorite
    medium, but I also love color...I looking forward to see more
    of your drawings !!!

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    1. I forgot to put "am" between I and looking, sorry ! :o)

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  19. It's pen and ink, Alina - the fine nibbed pens often confuse people when the picture size is reduced as it has been here.

    Thanks for dropping in

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