Tag: France
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The Meeting of the shirts
I really enjoy making pictures of the iconic four Jerseys of the Tour de France and this is one of my favourites. Usually, the best time to do this is before the start or during the rollout. Stage 19 of 2020 race had some great views of the four of them waiting and chatting before […]
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Tour de France 2021: Here it comes!
Hello and bonjour! The last day before the start of the 108th Tour de France, and to post of some of my favourite images over the years inspired by this great race. I am amazed to admit that this will be the tenth time I have made drawings and paintings of the Tour, my first […]
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Euro 2021: Two surprise draws
Some drawings from two matches that both resulted in draws, both of which were unexpected, including the debacle that was England v Scotland… (at least for England fans). Scotland played with great heart and their fans were so passionate, it was great to see. England’s best moment was an astounding acrobatic header from John Stones, […]
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It’s The Big One!
Not long to go before the re-match between Scotland and England at Wembley. The first time since 1996! I remember it vividly, England won, with one of the most celebrated goals in recent memory. The audacious goal by Paul Gascoigne, lit up the tournament and broke the hearts of Scotland fans.. the celebration was just […]
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It’s coming home, it’s coming…
Well, as an England fan, I certainly hope it is! The tournament certainly is – along with 10 other host cities, matches will be played at Wembley – and there will be fans in the seats! Wonderful news after all this time. I can’t wait to follow the action with my pens and paints – […]
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Six Nations 2019 – Wales triumph
Hello! The weekend saw an outstanding win for Wales rugby, not only of the Six Nations tournament but with a Grand Slam to boot – It doesn’t get much better than that! I think back to the their first half performance against France in the first match and what a transformation. They found their feet […]
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Six Nations 2019 – Drawing live
Hello! This weekend saw another dramatic round of matches in the Six Nations tournament. Surprises, upsets and resurgence, all with some great rugby. I won’t say too much about the results, I know some people may not have caught up yet. However, I wanted to publish these while the games are so fresh in mind. […]
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Six Nations 2019 – Round 1
Hello! What a start to 2019’s Six Nations Rugby tournament? Simply stunning! It was exciting and unpredictable with results not going as expected and play just fabulous to watch. Here are some of my first impressions from last week – quick sketches and one finished piece, as they came, warts and all! Roll on Round […]
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Crunch time!
Hello! Not long to go before the first match in this year’s Six Nations Rugby tournament – the sporting event that comes along in the depths of winter – we love it in our house. It’s great subject to draw, so fast and energetic, with good colour – it has it all This weekend’s opening […]
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Impossible roads
Hello! I love this image inspired by the ribbons of roads that cling to the mountainsides beside the Mediterranean sea. I wonder just how were they built? I ponder the difficulties such an endeavour poses! Yet, they seem to last for centuries, updated with the best new surfaces of each generation. Amazing and impossibly beautiful, just […]
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Six Nations – Impressions
Hello! A last look at this year’s Six Nations tournament and welcome to Spring… Time seems to be flying this year. There was a bittersweet end for England fans, their team won the tournament but failed to achieve the Grand Slam as they made a very convincing loss against Ireland – who played them off […]
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Six Nations –
Hello! The first week of the 2017 Rugby Six Nations contest began last weekend with three good matches and some unexpected results. Italy began well against Wales only to see their hopes fade away – Scotland took a great win over Ireland… and England were truly put to the test by France. A nice start and all […]
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Let the heartbreak begin…
Bonjour! The European Football Championships began in Paris on Friday amid great excitement, anxiety and tension. The opening match between France and Romania saw possibly the goal of the tournament from Dimitri Payet to secure victory for France – a fantastic start. Joy too for Wales with the grace and power of Gareth Bale’s free kick […]
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‘Racing Lines: Le Tour’ nearly there!
Hello! Welcome to a final preview of work that will appear in my exhibition at the Alfred East Art Gallery, Sheep Street, Kettering. (For fans of the Women’s Tour, this was the setting of the finish line for yesterday’s stage – which was wonderful!) My exhibition opens next Saturday, 27th June and if you are able to come […]
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Six Nations – Super Saturday
Hello! The 2015 Six Nations Rugby Union came to an amazing climax in three very high-scoring matches. In the end, Ireland came out on top in of one of the tightest tournaments in recent memory, but Wales and England were so close! Here are my drawings:
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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 […]
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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 […]
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La Vuelta 2013: Stage 1 Vilanova de Arousa – Sanxenxo
Hola! So good to be back in the saddle for the last Grand Tour of the season, which takes us round Spain. Stage 1 took place as a team time trial on the gorgeous north-west coast of Galicia. 22 teams began the race by crossing a glass pontoon at Vilanova de Arousa and riding their way […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 21 – Versailles to Paris Champs-Élysées
Bonjour! Stage 21 is the celebration stage. Rolling out from the Palace of Versailles and heading for Paris in the evening for a twighlight sprint around the Champs-Élysées. Setting off in beautiful late afternoon sunshine, all the riders looked relaxed and in good mood. This year, the sprint went round the Arc du Triomphe and there […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 20 – Annecy to Annecy-Semnoz
Bonjour! Stage 20 was outstanding, from the weather and scenery to incredible racing. There were many highlights, including Jens Voigt showing the youngsters how to climb a hill and fantastic breaks between Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez, not to mention some handsome cattle suitably dressed. Most of the final places overall were resolved in this stage. […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 19 – Bourg-d’Oisans to Le Grand Bornand
Bonjour! Stage 19 was a long stage, with five climbs overall. Sky had a better day and Chris Froome held on to his lead. Pierre Rolland, showed his metal in the climbs and descents for much of the race, but eventually overtaken for the win by Rui Costa. The real winner today perhaps was the […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 18 – Gap to Alpe d’Huez
Bonjour! Stage 18, the one with the notorious climb to Alpe d’Huez, lived up to expectations. An intense, gruelling stage, leaving riders not only battling the hill, but contending with arguably the largest crowds ever. The roads were chaotic all the way. Van Garderen led for most of the race and then with barely 2km […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 17 – Embrun to Chorges
Bonjour! Stage 17 was an action-packed individual time trial. The terrain was tough with climbs and descents – made all the trickier because of patchy rain. The big decision for teams was to complete the stage on one bike or to change mid-way for the fast descent. Chris Froome and Sky chose the second option […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 16 – Vaison-la-Romaine to Gap
Bonjour! Stage 16 saw the Alpine stages begin travelling through quietly dramatic scenery, through gorges and by rivers. The stage closed with a climb and hair-raising descent of the Col de Mense. A passing train briefly brought all the riders to a halt and likewise, Chris Froome was momentarily dislodged by a hurtling Contador. Rui Costa joyfully […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 15 – Givors to Mont Ventoux
Bonjour ! Stage 15 was a fantastic, gruelling course leading to the summit of Mont Ventoux. Emotional resonance for British fans and arguably one of the toughest climbs on any Tour. Sylvain Chavanel showed wonderful energy early on, followed by the outstanding Quintana. But showing tremendous strength Chris Froome broke away brilliantly and almost sprinted to […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 14 – Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule to Lyon
Bonjour! Stage 14 was another long stage with seven hill climbs, practice for Mont Ventoux perhaps? Still, it was a good steady stage, with excitement at the end, after a great surge by Julien Simon of France. Sadly, he couldn’t quite get the win, which went to Matteo Trentin. Here are my drawings:
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 13 – Tours to Saint-Amand-Montrond
Bonjour! Stage 13 was another long stage crossing the farmland of central France towards Lyon. A few surprises as Kittel fell away along with Valverde. While Sky dissolved, Contador attacked Froome’s lead, but he clung on to the yellow jersey. This time though the stage belonged to Cavendish. Number 25 – Brilliant! Here are my […]
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Tour de France 2013: Stage 12 – Fougères to Tours
Bonjour! Stage 12 was long and flat, carving inland across the country. Another stage for the sprinters. Generally a quiet stage until the end, when there was an awful crash, injuring several riders. Much was expected from Cavendish and he broke away brilliantly, duelling with Marcel Kittel, who took the stage by the length of […]
Maxine Dodd 