Malvern Sketches

The two drawings below were sketched outdoors in Great Malvern, Worcestershire.

The first is a drawing of the Malvern War Memorial located in the gardens outside the Great Malvern public library. This features a winged figure, representing youth and holding up a flaming torch. This was sculpted by Richard Reginald Goulden (1877-1932) and was unveiled in 1923. Goulden served in the First World War on the front line in France. He was born in Dover, educated at Dover College, and went to the Dover School of Art where he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art. He was principally a portrait sculptor but did produce some memorable public memorials, including several war memorials.

Winged Figure, Great Malvern War Memorial, Graphite on paper, © Mike Todd 2009

The second drawing is of an old part of the Abbey Hotel, and was drawn from the hotel gardens. To the front right is the building that now houses the Malvern Museum, and behind is the impressive tower of Great Malvern Priory.

Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern. Graphite on paper, © Mike Todd (2009).

Walsall Art Gallery drawings

The following sketchbook drawings were made of portrait sculptures in the Walsall Art Gallery collection. This is an excellent new gallery, and good for sketching (free admission, friendly staff, folding chairs available).

T.S. Eliot (bronze) by Sir Jacob Epstein. Graphite drawing (c) Mike Todd 2009.

The Martinique (bronze) by Sally Ryan. Graphite drawing (c) Mike Todd 2009.

Nathaniel (bronze) by Sally Ryan. Tinted charcoal pencil drawing (c) Mike Todd 2009.

Sally Ryan (bronze) by Sir Jacob Epstein (Graphite drawing (c) Mike Todd 2009)