I started this year with the challenge of drawing, sketching and illustrating daily, a visual diary for 2016. This is an inspiring and enjoyable activity which is significant for several reasons not least because this is a special year for celebrating creativity, with the focus on architecture and design. It will be a source of ideas for the development of collages and other work.

The photographs below illustrate some examples of the drawings and ideas I have sketched in the diary.

The materials I am using include permanent pens, various grades of  ‘lead’ pencils and  aquarelle soft coloured pencils which I can also use as watercolour, in a 14cm square sketchbook of  200 gsm cartridge paper.

Sketch designs  inspired by the Minton floor tiling at The Arlington Baths Club, Glasgow.

A small section of a simple geometric repeating pattern   reflecting the colours of the encaustic Minton tiling on the floor of the Turkish Suite.

Drawn and repeated Minton motif using pen and ink.

Mosaic Tile Design from the Turkish Suite. 

Small blue and white Squares with a hint of Greek or Roman  classical design.

Wall Tile design from The Arlington Baths Club.

A variation of the pattern using a rearrangement   of the motifs in the original tile.

Wall tile drawing above, with alternative colourway using crimson, turquoise and green .

A section of the design repeated in black and white