Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Cheltenham Stars 2015
Hello! Another sign of Spring in the sporting world comes in the form of the Cheltenham Festival – an intoxicating mix of racing, mud, heartbreak and elation. I watch the horses and jockeys race with my heart in my mouth, just praying they get round safely! The first two days have been as exciting as ever – sport at its most extreme. Here a my…
More Six Nations … getting serious
Hello! More drawings from the latest round of matches in this year’s 2015 Six Nations rugby tournament. Eagle-eyed amongst you might spot a mix of matches here – too many sketchbooks on the go at the same time perhaps… However, the rugby has been great with close shaves, defeats, wins and near misses! Teams now enjoying a well-deserved break until the next round this weekend….
Six Nations – friendly rivals
Hello! The 2015 Six Nations Rugby Union tournament got off to a great start last weekend. It’s so good to get my pens out to draw some sport and get moving again after winter. I looked at my post from drawing these matches in 2013 and discovered I feel exactly the same, ie ‘very rusty and challenged to high heaven to keep up!’ Today’s matches begin shortly, so…
Brave Treve
Hello and good to be back! If there’s one sporting event that marks the transition from Summer into Autumn for me, it’s the great horse race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe run at Longchamps near Paris. The race was won by a stunning horse called Treve who stormed through to win in spectacular fashion! Here are my drawings:
Gold vs Red
Hello! Back to sporting action – a first for me as I’ve never drawn football before, ironically as it’s the first sport I followed as a child. The World Cup is on in Brazil and of course, the expectations are high for the host team. The massive Fortaleza stadium was ablaze with colour and could barely contain the sound of the passion of the Brazilian National Anthem….
Epsom, Derby Day
Hello! Good to be back after too long a break – Feeling a bit rusty but raring to go! Today saw rain and thunder turn to sunshine for the Derby at Epsom. One of the great classic races – a relief to be on the flat at last – saw victory for the favourite, Australia. A magnificent horse who fulfilled all expectations. Fantastic! Here a…
Spring at Augusta
Hello! This weekend sees the third venerable sporting event that, in my mind, means that Spring has finally arrived, the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, USA. It’s a great contest between the best players on one of the finest courses in the world. The sun has shone brightly and the greens are fast and tricky to play. I love this tournament but have never drawn…
London: The Boat Race, 2014
Hello! Following on swiftly from one of the world’s oldest horse races, came one of the oldest rowing races – the battle on the Thames between the crews of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. It is an international event these days and its 160th running attracted a huge audience, not only on TV but every square-inch of land on the riverbanks and bridges lining the route. People must…
Aintree, Grand National Day
Hello! Today saw the climax of the great racing festival at Aintree with the 167th running of the Grand National. I always find it hard to watch and yet so compelling, the race had two false starts, horses taking the wrong path but thankfully passed this time with no serious injuries to horses or jockeys. The race was won by Pineau De Re. Now we can all breathe a sigh…
Aintree Festival, Ladies’ Day
Hello! Today is Ladies Day of the great racing festival at Aintree. Grey skies broken from time to time but the real sunshine came from the bright clothes of the Liverpool ladies! Here a my drawings:
Aintree Festival, Day 1
Hello! Today is the first day of the great racing festival at Aintree in Liverpool. Grey skies and still conditions set a calm backdrop to exciting racing. I set up with five sketchbooks and tried to keep up! I followed the 2.30 and 3.05 races with Silviano Conti, Dynaste and the New One. All safely round which is the most important thing but brilliant horses showing their…
Olympic Farewell
Hello! The success of the Paralympic Games in Sochi was great to see. Team GB were the UK’s most successful Winter Olympians ever, simply amazing. I’ve made a collection of drawings from both events as a new page, with a little reminder here. Spring is well on its way and time to leave the snow behind. Thank you for following, see you very soon….
