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.