A bit more painting in Ramsgate and Deal

I think this painting of Ramsgate Maritime Museum is pretty much finished after this morning's efforts

You can go on fiddling with pictures but at some point I guess you need to stop.

not sure how far I will go with this Deal one

the attraction here is Isaura's Fine Food and a lot of book buying for me in the Deal area

A bit more progress with the pen and ink sketch from The Oak Hotel in Ramsgate’s café culture, looking towards The Royal Temple Yacht Club

So here is the part finished painting, drawing, whatever you want to call it of Ramsgate.

The top and the bottom of the picture got a bit disconnected, perhaps because of drawing them on different days, perhaps because in the back of my mind was the mixture between the early morning breakfast atmosphere at The Oak Hotel in Ramsgate which I rather like and the view which I also rather like.

Anyway here is the photo for aspiring art critics     

Ramsgate artist flees in terror form the big O

Sketching out and about I usually find that I am the only person doing it, and as this is something I do most days – although I have a free range as it were – I tend to be a bit out of it when drawing something. This means that I am a bit inclined to reply rather oddly when people talk to me, which they do quite a lot I think because I am engaged in an unusual activity.

The question I get asked the most, believe it or not, is. “Are you an artist?” I invariably answer. “No”. Which seems to sift out most of this group of people, inasmuch as they then seem satisfied and ignore me.

There is a whole, I used to sketch bunch, well I have been hanging around here on and off since the mid 60s and I never noticed them doing it.

The worst group, well really the only bad group are the ones that block my view, which stops me sketching, mostly white vans and the occasional drunk.

Here is this mornings, sketch, drawing, doodle or whatever you want to call it, from The Royal Oak in Ramsgate’s café culture, looking towards The Royal Temple Yacht Club.

All was going fairly well, as a proper artist would probably say, it was already in the paper/pen and all I had to do was reveal it, working from left to right I had just reached The Travel Lodge, thing cheap hotel, ghastly architecture, when the cherry picker turned up.

I didn’t really notice this, more it was that the sketch seemed to be struggling to be revealed from the sketch paper/pen, whatever it is that goes on when you draw. Slowly I sensed that there was more going on off scene than there ought to be.

I looked up and got this view, drew on a bit as is slowly dawned on that I was right under the big O of Oak, and if the neon tube from it fell, it would land, not so much on my head as in it.

Coward that I am, I proceeded to run away, the remains of my caffeine centre bottom     

     

Some more progress paining The Royal Victoria Pavilion

Here is the sketch from Candy's café that I started the other day not far to go with this one now, see http://thanetonline.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/new-tdc-administrations-and-social.html

The picture for aspiring art critics, the square cloud and the triangular cloud where there when I painted the sky, honest guv.

All day breakfast and drink for £3 

Odd bit of architecture the Pav, I have just been looking through the architecture books in my bookshop and on the net for more information, no real luck so far.

A ramble about sketching pens, Canterbury and stuff with a few pictures

A pen sketch of Canterbury Cathedral, this is A4, very rough and done in about 20 mins from the seat by the entrance, by the bins, which is sheltered and as it was drizzling a bit about the only place you can sketch the cathedral from while sitting down, in the cathedral grounds when it's raining.   

If you take a photo looking up the tower it gets thinner towards the top, which looks a bit naff to me.

The start of a sketch from Canteen in Canterbury I've done this veiw before see http://thanetonline.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-pen-and-ink-sketch-of-sun-hotel-in.html

More careful this one, about an hour so far and I may go back and finish it off.

Art wise at the moment, I am concentrating on sketching likenesses of people, small, quick and in pen.

  I have tried a variety of pens and have just discovered the "uni pin FINE LINE" which I am now using and I used in the sketches above.

 Next a few Canterbury photos, these will expand if clicked on compulsively

 I was rather taken with these based on album covers

A couple of sketches in Margate today and some thoughts on Manston and Discovery Parks.

This one from the balcony at Rickus, which looks out over Margate sands.

Here is a photo for any art critics

And here a picture of the front of Rickus

My plan then was to get a ploughman’s from Turner Contemporary Café and sit outside and sketch the view on a larger piece of paper,

It proved to be too windy

So I went inside and did a sketch in the café 

Dreamland and the scenic Railway, The Bucket and Spade Run, Sketch of Westwood Cross from Sainsbury’s Café and ramble

I guess the main news of the day is that the restored Dreamland scenic railway won’t be ready for the grand opening.

The council's press release and notes at the bottom of the post as they are extensive.

The sketch of Westwood Cross should expand if clicked on and some of the detail may amuse some readers.

  

The main Thanet event this weekend will be The Bucket and Spade Run

Pictures of some previous bucket and spade runs at the links below

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2011/index.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2011/id3.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2011/id4.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2011/id5.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2011/id6.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2010/

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2010/id3.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2010/id4.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2010/id5.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2010/id6.htm

http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/bs2010/id7.htm

Date: 05 June 2015 PR No: 3958 Status: For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Dreamland’s Scenic Railway Delayed

5 JUNE 2015:  Dreamland Margate, the UK’s original pleasure park will re-open its doors at 10am Friday 19 June 2015, marking phase one of the redevelopment of the park.
Although work to the timber-framed structure is near completion, the Scenic Railway will not open on 19 June due to continuing restoration to the trains.
All other rides and attractions due for phase one will be open as planned.
Existing ticket holders to Dreamland have been informed about the Scenic Railway and offered a free return visit to the Park at a date of their choosing. 
The timber-framed Scenic Railway first opened in the 1920’s. It is the UK’s oldest rollercoaster and the only Grade ll* listed rollercoaster in the world. Thanet District Council has contracted some of the UK’s leading specialists to oversee its restoration – their task is to protect the valuable heritage of the ride whilst bringing this up to the modern day.
Leader of Thanet District Council Cllr Chris Wells said: “Meticulous efforts are being made to create an authentic experience for visitors, in keeping with the original 1920’s design of the ride.
“Thanks to the dedication and hard work of contractors, the finishing touches are now being made to the timber framed structure and restoration of the trains is now well underway. We recognise that this is no easy task and appreciate delays can be unforeseeable with this type of project.
“I know it is disappointing the Scenic Railway will not be opening for rides on 19 June, we are confident that our commitment to the protection of its heritage will offer the best possible experience for visitors.”
CEO of Dreamland Eddie Kemsley, said:  “All other attractions due to open as part of phase one, are on track for 19 June. This launch represents a considerable achievement in bringing Dreamland to life once again and everyone in Margate and involved in the project should be very proud.  The opening night Hullabaloo party with special guest performances from Marina and the Diamonds and Chas and Dave is going to be fantastic and a great way to mark the start of Dreamland’s new future.  Tickets to the opening night are almost sold out.”
Phase one includes 17 restored rides, as well as the roller disco, pleasure gardens, restaurants, food stalls, arcades and amusements from the golden age of the British seaside.The second phase, scheduled for later in 2015 will include the Ballroom, outdoor event space, restaurant café, and dance studio. In 2016 the Hall By The Sea and the Buffet Building will be opened.
Dreamland’s phase one opening will create over 200 jobs to the local economy.
The reopening has been made possible by the work of the Dreamland Trust and investment from Thanet District Council, Sands Heritage LTD, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Department for Culture Media and Sport and many local benefactors.
Full information about Dreamland including its opening night can be found on its website www.dreamland.co.uk.

- END -

ABOUT DREAMLAND MARGATE 
The Dreamland site is owned by Thanet District Council. The council, working with The Dreamland Trust has secured a funding package of £18 million, which includes external funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Sea Change grant, to deliver the first phase of the project.
The council boldly compulsory purchased the Dreamland site because it had the vision to see that once again Dreamland could be a major economic driver for the area.  The council are managing the wider development of this massive multifaceted site of which the Dreamland Amusement Park is just one part.
Sands Heritage Ltd. have been appointed by the council as the operators of the Dreamland Amusement Park and will open its door on 19 June 2015.
The re-imagined Dreamland will be a world-class UK visitor attraction, providing entertainment for everyone through truly re-inventing the famous seaside amusement park experience.
Working in partnership with Sands Heritage Limited and Thanet District Council award winning multi-disciplinary designers HemingwayDesign led by Wayne Hemingway MBE, Gerardine Hemingway MBE and Jack Hemingway have been appointed to deliver the look, feel, smell, taste and sound of a re-imagined Dreamland. 
The new Dreamland will be a unique vintage-style amusement park with rides, classic side shows, eateries and evocative spaces set within a landscape capable of hosting national festivals, major events and visiting attractions.
The Dreamland project plays a significant role in community engagement, education, training, sustainable employment and boosting the local economy. It is also a major component in the continued regeneration of Margate, spearheaded by Turner Contemporary in 2011. 

TICKET PRICES & OPENING HOURS:
19th June Opening Day:
10am – 5pm

THE OPENING NIGHT HULLABALOO Friday 19 June 2015 19:00 -
Amusement park closes at 11pm
£24.95 Entry per adult
STANDARD OPENING HOURS:
10am – 5pm
Summer Weekends (26 June – 26 Sep)
10am – 8pm

EVENTS                                                        Times vary  
PRICES:
Under 3’s Go Free
Disabled Carers Go Free
Advance Adult    £14.95
Child    £12.95
On the Day
Adult £17.95
Child £14.95
Local On The Day Discount 
* Adult £13.95
Child £11.95
Tickets are available online at www.dreamland.co.uk/tickets

HULLABALOO LIST OF PERFORMERS:

Marina and the Diamonds
Chas n Dave
The Big Six
The Miniscule of Sound
Too Many T’s
The Shellac Collective

END TO ALL

Pen and watercolour sketching in Broadstairs today

I pulled a skive today and went off sketching in Broadstairs.

The main objective was to colour in the pen sketch I did at the beginning of this month, a view looking down Albion Street from Costa.

Here is a photo for art critics.

Of course when I turned up the seat was taken so I did this one

A sketch looking up Broadstairs High Street form Costa

Photo for art critics, whoops sorry not very good is it.

I then went off to The Old Bake House for lunch where I had an excellent bread and cheese job, 3 types of cheese and loads of bread for £5, I will be going there again.

As you see the angle of the view is really too acute to sketch

All I can say about the result is that it was good practice although I will probably go back and finish it off.

Oh and this strange one of the bandstand

A painting of Tesco Extra from Sainsbury’s at Westwood Cross Thanet and some thoughts.

Here is the painting of Tesco’s

and here the photo for any budding art critics.

An ocean of coloured gravel seems to be developing between Sainsbury’s and WC, with my children shopping in the one and me painting in the other I wondered if they would ever make it back.

Anyway in the end they were guided back by the Belisha Beacons.

Strangely there has been no sign on the pwc report on Manston due by the end of the month; perhaps they are working on it over the weekend.

Mamas and Papas are the latest shop to announce they are leaving the increasingly Titanic WC, perhaps given a little more time I may get a better view while the members of the fairer sex in my family engage in shopping. 

A new site has appeared which is endeavouring to get some idea of the proportion of people for and against the airport, vote at 
http://manstongrounded.com/ and results at https://twitter.com/manstongrounded  I should point out there that having voted you get an email that you have to click on to confirm your vote. In some cases this email takes several hours to appear of winds up in your spam folder.  

From a blogging point of view it's pretty much a case of no nes is good news today, I will endeavor to ramble on here if i think of anything else to say 

Watercolour Painting of Deal Timeball from Dunkerleys Hotel and a bit of a retail reflection.

Here is the painting of Deal Timeball and some fairly typical Deal buildings

And here the photo for art critics

Cheese sarni and pot of tea about £7

Shopping in Deal today, a town that is still hanging in there with numerous independent shops, the other side of this coin is more shops closing at Westwood Cross H&M are the latest and will be closing on 6^th June.

I guess the difference I notice most with WC is that the closed shops have a striking resemblance to the closed shops in “The Centre” in Margate. I guess this partly down to modern building that aren’t that well maintained looking pretty tacky when closed and partly due to newish shopping centres just not aging well. 

From my point of view as a retailer it is still fairly difficult to see where retail is going, sales in my bookshop started going up around the middle of last year after decreasing year on year for years. I have to admit to not really having any idea why, I would doubt that people are reading more physical books, or that my shop represents significant competition to Amazon, although I do try to make sure that my book prices are less than online book prices.

I do wonder just what the future is for fairly small out of town shopping centres like WC, I only have a reasonable understanding of the bookselling side of retail and everything I know about the book trade suggests that the W H Smith and Waterstones there shouldn’t really work. By this I mean that they replaced the two Albion Bookshops in Cliftonville and Broadstairs and I can’t see how book sales in Thanet would have increased by that sort of proportion.        

Here are a few Deal photos

A few books for my bookshop