An Apology

I will have a new post up within the next week, I have been sooooo busy made the Christmas cake today! :) And also I am in year 11 so things do have to take priority.. but a new post will be up in due course...

Why is ice cream colder after you suck a mint?

All mints contain the chemical menthol, which binds to the TRP-M8 receptors in your skin which sense cold, the temperature doesn't change it's the menthol that causes false cold signals to be sent to your brain.....

(View the rest of this article on my other blog www.howsciworks.blogspot.com)

Albert Einstein

This is a pencil sketch of Albert Einstein done in an A3 sketchpad.

Here is an extract of the article that I have posted on my other blog that can be viewed here

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them"

 ~ Albert Einstein 

The German born physicist Albert Einstein was born on March 14th 1879 in Württemberg, six weeks after his birth he moved to Munich, where he later on began his schooling at Luitpold Gymnasium. As a child he enjoyed classical music and even played the violin. 

One story that Einstein enjoyed telling about his childhood was of a wonder that he saw when he was about four or five years old: a magnetic compass. Okay this may not seem much with today's technology but the compasses needle's northward swing, guided by an invisible force fascinated Einstein, this wonder could even have been what inspired him to bigger and better things in his adulthood. 

In 1896 he entered the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich where he trained as a... 

Roscoff by sunset

We went to Roscoff in Brittany, France during the summer holidays and this is my watercolour painting of Roscoff based on a picture that I took whilst we were there.

Mickey

First of all, I'm sorry that I haven't posted for ages, I've done a lot of art just not posted it! Well anyway, here is one in a long line of paintings/sketches. This sketch is done on cream card and  is of my next door neighbors cat, Mickey.

Roscoff 2013

Roscoff - Johnnies and Onions

We went on holiday this year to Roscoff where these famous strings of onions had originated from in Brittany, France. "Johnnies" are people who are tasked with creating these onion sellers. Every August, from the 17th Century these Johnnies, along with the Onions left France to sell their onions on  the other side of the channel. They sold the onions by going door to door  by bicycle, this happened seasonally fitting in with the growth of the onions growth and demand from the public . This is  my watercolor version of one that sits outside a creperie in Roscoff  town center.

The Baby Boy destined to become King George VII

HRH Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge... to give him his proper title who is destined to become King George VII third in line for the throne, after the current Queen, Prince Charles and his Dad William. Here he is in watercolors in the arms of his Mum leaving hospital for the first time, some even say that he was trying to give his first "royal wave"!

His Mum and Dad, along with Prince George himself are now together at the Middleton family home in Bucklebury.

The Orbit - 1 Year On

"We lit up the flame, we lit up the world" ~~ Lord Coe (Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee)

It seems strange to think that one year, one day ago the Olympic Stadium in London was igniting with excitement of the world riding on it. It was only last night I was watching the Opening Ceremony on BBC 3, it even was trending on twitter, something that I never thought would happen one year on. So here it is, the Orbit done in watercolors.

Also check out my science blog www.howsciworks.blogspot.com

Royal Baby: The Birth

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a future King on Monday (22nd July). She waited out the last few days of her pregnancy at Kensington Palace before she was admitted by car to the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington at around 6am BST on Monday in the early stages of labour. The world's press then waited out the last few hours as Kate gave birth naturally to, what was later announced as a new Prince. At around 8pm Monday 22nd July the birth was announced, that Kate had given birth to a son at 4.24 pm weighing in at 8lbs 6oz. Royal officials then brought a signed notice by Kate's doctors which was brought to the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for the eyes of the nation and it's press.

In a typically British fashion people then queued to take a glimpse of the Royal declaration before it was removed 24 hours after the birth was announced (roughly 8pm Tuesday BST). Also on Tuesday at around 5:30pm Kate and William was visited by Prince Charles and the Middleton's. Carole said that her first cuddle with her first grandson was "amazing" Kate was later discharged at around 7pm Tuesday. She then, along with her husband made their first public appearance since the birth of their first child on the steps of the Lindo Wing. They presented their son wrapped in a white shawl as they both answered a few questions from the press who had been camped outside the hospital since the beginning of the month. William joked that he had "a good pair of lungs on him that's for sure" and when he was asked about how much hair the baby had he replied "he's got alot more than me thank god!" He also acknowledged how long the press had been waiting to catch a glimpse of the royal baby and he said "I'll remind him of his tardiness when he is a bit older". It was believed that Kate was around one week overdue. The couple then went back inside before placing the baby in the car seat. The couple along with the baby then made a reappearance before placing the baby into the royal car and William drove off to Kensington Palace.

The new family spent the first night away from the hospital at Kensington Palace. Earlier today they also had a visit from the Queen before the new family headed to K

 HRH Prince George of Cambridge 

ate's family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Once the new family had returned to Bucklebury the name was announced two days after the birth as George Alexander Louis. This goes against royal tradition of giving royal babies four names, rather than the latest who has three. The baby prince will be known as Prince George of Cambridge

The press outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.

Kensington Palace: The new family home

Summer has officially arrived! - UPDATED (take a look)

Well I hope you haven't all melted in this summer sunshine! ;) I know I have! I hope you are all making the most of the summer weather while it lasts! I have been so busy with school at the moment, so sorry for the lack of posting, ill try to get something up in the next couple of days! I've had all sorts, coursework,exams everything! At the moment I am creating a music video for media on Little Mix's We are Who We are, if you want to have a look just email a request to clairesart123@live.co.uk. We also had our first British Wimbledon Champion for 77 years as Andy Murray, and of course the arrival of Kate Middleton's first child is iniment, this wont be the last royal baby on the way in the near future as Olympian Zara Philips and her husband Mark Tindall are expecting their first child due in the new year. As  always if you have any comments or anything else let me know at the above email, YouTube spacenut100 or Twitter (@claire_12heart) and I will also be posting a few more more regularly the school summer holidays only being just over a week away! :)

I have started a second blog, called Science Sparks - (howsciworks.blogspot.com) take a look. I will of course continue to update and maintain this blog! 

Harris Hawk - Wimbledon 2013

This is a watercolour of Harris Hawk who does the same job as you may have seen or heard about Rufus doing. Basically he has keepers who during the Wimbledon Championships let him off to fly around which is meant to scare of the pigeons, and they both work! Britain's number one Laura Robson is due on court number two second or third today against New Zealand's Maria Erakovic in her 3rd round match. Elsewhere in the Wimbledon Championships we have Colin Fleming and Jonny Marray (not to be confused with Andy Murray!) seeded 9th in the Men's Doubles, currently playing and two sets to love up against F. Cermak and M. Mertinak (I haven't a clue about the first names!!). Andy Murray Britain's highest hope for the Wimbledon Championship seeded 2nd he is through to his 4th round match against either Viktor (?) Troicki or Mikhail (?) Youzhny. 

"Wacky Wednesday" completely improved Andy Murray's half of the draw with potential opponents of K.De Schepper or Fernando Verdasco in the quarter finals. 

*Apologies if I can't spell!

Work Experience

First of all sorry for not posting for a while, I have been on work experience in a phyisotherapy practice near where we live which I have really enjoyed! But I will be uploading a painting that I have done of Harris Hawk in Wimbledon which I will explain to a greater depth in my next post!

Wimbledon 2013

Monday brings the start of Wimbledon 2013, and also my work experience where I will be working in a physio near where we live. The Wimbledon draw was announced yesterday, to the dismay of Federer and Nadal they are on a collision course for the quarter finals! Check out this link for more info. However it is good news for the British number 1 Andy Murray who faces Germany's 95th in the world Ben Becker in the first round. Check out the Wimbledon 2013 draw here. I have done a painting of Andy Murray and Roger Federer at the Wimbledon 2012 final, so watch this space for an updated post!

Michele Webber - Sudbury (UK)

First of all I would like to apologise for the lack of posting.. it's what comes with being in year 10 with controlled assessments coursework and everything else! But anyway yesterday me and Dad went along to an art lesson, free courtesy of the Daily Telegraph with Michele Webber (http://www.michelewebber.com/) Apparently her website is undergoing a major upgrade and should be finished fairly soon! So anyway, we went along yesterday to the first of one of her two week specials on landscapes and seascapes. The lesson was extremely informative and a great opportunity to meet new people whilst developing your painting skills! So if you live in Suffolk then I would totally recommend you to contact Michele. Below is an example of one of Michele's paintings..

I will upload the finished painting here once I have completed it! So I hope that you will come back to watch this space!

 (CREDIT:Michele Webber)

Charlotte Dujardin - London 2012

Before I start, sorry for the slight delay in uploading. But here it is, a watercolor of Charlotte Dujardin after she had won a gold in the dressage aboard her horse, Valegro at Horse Guards Parade.  She had previously also won a gold in the Team Dressage, with the likes of Laura Bechtolsheimer and Ben Maher. In the same, individual dressage  Laura Bechtolsheimer also won a medal, a bronze.

If you want to read more then click here 

Le Tour de Eiffel

This is The Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Eiffel Tower stands and 324m tall, which is about the same height as an 81 storey building and it was erected in 1889. It was the tallest structure in the world from 1889 to 1930.  More than 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel Tower since it was built. And it is the most visited paid building in the world.

It overlooks the courts which are used currently during Roland Garros (the French Open) at the moment I am watching Gael Monfils vs Ernests Gulbis. It is supposedly "Kids day"  or as the French would call it "Journee des enfants" at the French open as French children have Wednesdays off of school. However currently Gael Monfils and Ernests Gulbis (Latvian) are putting up quite a fight against each other, so at the moments it is all looking pretty equal!


We are also going to France in the summer holiday, although not to Paris but to Roscoff which is in the North of Brittany on the coast. We are travelling using Brittany Ferries

Brittany Ferries      French Open - Roland Garros

The Eiffel Tower - Wikipedia 

Laura Trott - London 2012

To add to my collection of Olympians and Paralympians, here is Laura Trott, London 2012 for her was her debut Olympics. She competed in the Women's Team Pursuit (Cycling) with Dani King and Jo Rowsell with an outstanding, world record breaking time of 3:14:051. 

Laura also managed to add another gold medal to her collection with a gold in the Women's Omnium. 

To read more about Laura Trott, then visit this link to her profile on the BBC Sport website. 

Click here to view my London 2012 Page 

Laura Robson - London 2012

Continuing with the London 2012 theme, here is an action shot of Laura at the games, she won a silver medal alongside Britain's Number 1 - Andy Murray.

This may not be the most flattering shot of Laura, but it is an action shot!!

Hannah Cockroft - London 2012 Paralympic games

This is Hannah Cockroft (Hurricane Hannah) at the London 2012 Paralympic games. She won two gold medals;  one in the T34 100m and the other gold in the T34 200m. To find out more about Hannah Cockroft, visit this link. Read more about Hannah's disability, and how she managed to make it to London 2012, Click here

Jessica Ennis - London 2012

To go with my collection of London 2012 pictures, here is my latest. Done in watercolors, I hope you like this!I wasn't sure what Jessica Ennis' surname was since she got married, but congratulations to her anyway!!

Ellie Simmonds - London 2012 - (Updated)

This is my latest picture of Ellie Simmonds just after she collected her gold medal at last years Olympics. The pictures below show the painting, and some pictures from the olympics!! 

2013 Survey

I would be grateful if you could spare a minute or so to fill out my survey HERE 

Thank you for any results in advance!

Lizzie Armitstead - London 2012 (Updated)

This is Lizzie Armitstead just after she won her silver medal at last years Olympic Games from the Women's Road Race, this was Team  GB's first Olympic medal, closely followed by Rebecca Adlington's bronze in the 400m freestyle.

To read more about Lizzie Armitstead in the London 2012 Olympics Click here

GCSE Music Video Questionnaire

I am creating a music video for my GCSE Media, and I would be really grateful if you could fill out this survey which is only 7 questions long!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R32SMZT

Thank you in advance!

Iain Percy and Andrew - (Updated)

On the 11th May 2013, a silver medalist from London 2012, Andrew 'Bart' Simpson died after the catamaran that he was aboard capsized whilst he was training for America's cup.

So to tribute this I have done a watercolor of the pair sailing at last years games, just before they won their silver medals.

 Click here to read more on this

Corfe Castle - Dorset, UK

This one was done from a photo taken from when we were staying in Littlesea (Dorset) the April just gone, you can view my video from that holiday in one of the posts below! (I will post a link very soon) this was done using watercolours.

David Florence - London 2012 canoe slalom (Updated)

Sticking with the London 2012 sporting theme this is a watercolour of David Florence competing in the Canoe Slalom at Lea Valley. He was so successful in the London 2012 olympics that he managed to bring home a silver medal in the men's canoe double (C2), he was paired with Richard Hounslow. I have also included some other pictures of the pair in action at the Games.

Going for gold! - Usain Bolt - London 2012 (Updated)

This is Usain Bolt competing at the London 2012 Olympic games about to win a gold. The picture quality has been updated so I hope you like it!

Visit my other Olympic/ Paralympic pictures HERE

Blog Update

An update to my blog is on its way so look out for it! Remember if you have any suggestions I would welcome them!

Sawbridgeworth (Hertfordshire, UK) Bowls Club Open Day

This is the official poster that I have  done for the Sawbridgeworth Bowls Club Open Day on Saturday 18th May 2013 at 2:30. I have created the poster on Adobe Photoshop, similarly to how I produced the Wimbledon 2013 poster. Should any of my readers happen to be local, then it is an ideal opportunity to come and try out bowls, you don't need any previous experience so come and join in the fun! Follow the Sawbridgeworth Bowling Club on Twitter (@SawboBowls) to keep up to date with any forthcoming events!

Join them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sawbridgeworth.bowlingclub

Like their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sawbridgeworth-Bowling-Club/456834324402031?ref=ts&fref=ts

The Death of Baroness Thatcher (1925-2013)

 Baroness Thatcher died on the 8th April 2013.

British Prime Minister 1979-1990

She was the first and currently only female British Prime minister to this date, she is also the longest serving Prime Minister. A soviet journalist gave her the nickname "Iron Lady". This was because she became known because of her uncompromising style of politics. As Prime Minister she implemented policies that have now become known as Thatcherism.

She was originally a research chemist before becoming a politician. She became a MP for Finchley in 1959. Edward Heath appointed her as Secretary of State for Education and Science. In 1975 she defeated Heath to become the leader of the opposition, she became Prime Minister after winning the 1979 general election.

After retiring from the Commons in 1992, she was given a life membership as Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven  in the County of Lincolnshire. This entitled her to sit in the House of Lords.

She died on the 8th April 2013 from a stroke, at the Ritz Hotel, London

 

My most popular post!

Looking back at my all time stats, I discovered that the sketch of tower bridge is the most popular post so here it is once more!

 

Wimbledon 2013 Poster

I did enter this into the Blue Peter competition but it failed, so I thought that you might like to see it!

 

On this one I would really appreciate some comments, particularly as I didn't get anything from the competition!

 

Littlesea - April 2013

Sorry for the delay in posting, but last week I was staying at the Haven caravan park in Weymouth, Littlesea. Throughout the holiday I have been creating a video that I have posted to YouTube so here it is!

Hope you enjoy and as always feel free to leave any comments!

Below is a couple of other pictures, the swimming pool and the reception area.

Wimbledon Ball Boys (and girls) at the centre court

There may be snow on the ground but its never too soon to think about the summer, so here it is watercolour and watercolour pencil.

St Paul's Cathedral, London

The fourth and final one in my London collection, this one is of St Paul's Cathedral, done in watercolour and watercolour pencils!

Tower Bridge, London

Typically British weather but we are in England! :) This is the third picture out of the four for the frame! Feel free to leave any comments as usual!!

Embankment - London

Watercolour painting, again for the frame I mentioned in my last post, as always feel free to email clairesart123@live.co.uk

Piccadilly Circus

This is my latest painting, of Piccadilly Circus, London. I have a 3D Frame that takes four photos/paintings, that I have decorated, the plan is that this painting will be one of those four!

I'm Singing in the Rain

As promised, here it is!! Done on my movie camera, enjoy!

Portland Bill

As promised, here it is, filmed and edited by me, but the painting is by my dad, check out his other paintings... www.guyspaintings.blogspot.com 

I'm Singing in the Rain!!

Yesterday we visited the Palace Theatre, London to see singing in the rain, it was amazing !! Later on today/tomorrow morning I will post here a video of the trip!!

London 2012

Okay I know this isn't really art  but anyway! I thought you may like to see this London 2012 video I made using some of my footage from the London Olympics

The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR6LfU97B

I hope you enjoy it!

My Blog's Tourist Office - UPDATED (9/6/13)

Okay, couldn't think of a great title for this one, but never mind! This post I thought I would do if your struggling to find your way around my blog then here is the post to find your answer!

First of all feel free to post any comments, suggestions, questions or any combination on my posts, I also have an email for my blog clairesart123@live.co.uk and I will respond as soon as I can to your email! I have a twitter account @claire_12heart that you are more than welcome to follow as I do post pictures of my latest works on there!!

To the left of the main stream posts there is a list of useful URL's and also pages, here I post general things. For example I have my London Townscapes, Art Shows UK (and other countries) as well as many more. I also have a gallery with my pictures consolidated onto one page. again feel free to comment on the pages as well!


I hope you enjoy looking around my blog and I would really welcome any suggestions/comments/questions!

Links:

London 2012 this also includes my London 2012 Gallery

Survey 2013 

London Townscapes Gallery

2013 - UK

How to use a Flexi-Curve in 3 easy steps!

(This was one of my christmas stocking presents)

1. Bend the curve into a straight line as best as you can!

2. bend it into your desired shape

3. Draw your curve!

Below you can see the results!

Diamond Jubilee

I hope you have all had a fab new year and christmas and don't have too much snow! ❄⛄ This is an update for my diamond jubilee concert sketch, i am posting regular updates on my twitter feed: @claire_12heart with the hash tag #damondjubileeconcertsketch I hope you like it! This one obviously isn't finished though!!