Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Leicester City: Daring to dream?
Posted on April 20, 2021
When it comes to being a fan of football, I am a bit of a romantic fool; either getting my hopes up for England to win a major tournament or for my own team, Leicester City to do well in the FA Cup.
Reaching a final, let alone winning, for both teams, seem like a lifetime ago. England reached the final (and won) the World Cup in 1966, while three years later in 1969, the Foxes reached the final of the FA Cup, which they lost by one goal to Manchester City. Heartbreak!
Goodness knows that both England and Leicester have broken mine and many more hearts a hundred times over in the years that followed…Ecstasy followed by Agony for one or other of them, and like all the other broken-hearted fans, I keep coming back for more, because there’s nothing quite as thrilling as your football team, local or national, doing well in a big tournament.
It’s the unique experience that all sport gives. It brings us together, excites us and enriches us. The lows are low but the highs are the best and both live long in our collective memories.
When the event and performance are very special, it engages everyone, including people who don’t regard themselves as sports fans, the excitement draws people together in a lovely way.
I watched the FA Cup semi final between Leicester and Southampton on Sunday afternoon with the customary trepidation. I was amazed and delighted by the result. But also, I was even more delighted to see an audience at Wembley, albeit small, the fans were back.
Real people, real voices and a real presence to witness this game. I made as many sketches of them as the action, it was so great to see.
So here we go again, Foxes fans daring to dream once more. It’s not the repeat of 1969 as we thought it might be, because Chelsea beat Manchester City in their semi final.
Chelsea are the polar opposite of Leicester City, having enjoyed great success in the FA Cup over the years, but maybe it’s the Foxes time? We know this team is full of surprises, its recent history is legendary. 2016 all over again?
I hope you enjoy my somewhat frazzled drawings and paintings! I wanted to post fairly quickly while the excitement is still fresh in mind.
Meanwhile, I can’t wait until 15th May.. will it be Agony or Ecstasy? I hope Gary Lineker has got his best pair of underpants ready if they win!
I am now in the process of making some more images based on the TV recordings and will post them individually with details for purchase. You can email for details or sign up to my newsletter for information 💙
Tour de France 2020: Coming tomorrow…
Posted on August 28, 2020
Hello and bonjour! The last day before the start of this year’s Tour de France and another post of some of my favourite images over the years inspired by this great race.
This first set shows the organism that is the peloton, weaving its way through the landscape. Chasing down, pulling back, from every view, the peloton is great to watch…
These images show the landscape itself, so diverse and beautiful…
Next the landscape itself, beautiful and diverse…
Next, the rain! It’s lovely to draw, not so great to ride…
The cities and towns….
The flags and animals…
The descents…
The stars…
The last image is of the current champion, Egan Bernal, the great young rider from Colombia. Wishing him and all the riders the very best for a safe and spectacular 2020 race!
Tour de France 2020: Coming soon….
Posted on August 25, 2020
Hello and bonjour! Only a few days to go before the start of this year’s Tour de France and another post of some of my favourite images over the years from this great race.
This set shows some team time trials, which is a feature of the race I love to draw. It’s the chance to see the team race as one unit and the best have a lovely rhythm to their riding which is great to watch.
This image of Omega Pharma Quickstep was made during the Team Time Trial in Nice in 2013.
This year’s race returns to Nice and it will be great to see the lovely city and glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea that I personally have missed greatly!
Here are some more of my favourite images and my favourite teams. I hope yours are there too! Have a great Wednesday!
Tour de France 2019 – Excited!
Posted on July 6, 2019
Bonjour! It’s July, it’s Tour time! Three weeks of absorbing racing through some of the finest scenery you’ll ever see.
There will be crowds and flags and great spectacle along the way.
The race begins in Brussels to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first win of Eddie Merckx, one of cycling’s greatest racers. It also marks one hundred years since the first award of arguably the most famous sporting trophies, the Yellow Jersey.
It was first won by Eugene Christophe in 1919, who will wear it and eventually win it this year? It will be a great adventure finding out!
Wisteria magic
Posted on September 9, 2014
Hello! Spring is almost over and the season on the brink of changing to summer. One plant that marks this transition is the wisteria, which pours colour and fragrance like fountains in many gardens, including ours. It’s a lovely subject, offering curling lines, twisting branches and of course the colour. I’ve drawn it in pastel, pen and ink with watercolour and now digitally for the first time. Here are my drawings…
Tour de France 2014: Stage 15 – Tallard to Nîmes
Posted on July 22, 2014
Bonjour! Stage15 was a long stage leaving the Alps and heading through the south of France towards the Pyrenees. The course passed through classic French countryside, but with crosswinds and storms at times, it was still a challenge for the riders. Two made an impressive breakaway lead by Martin Elmiger and Jack Bauer. At the end of the stage they were caught and passed by the head of the peloton – all sprinters – and there was nothing either man could do to assuage the onslaught! Amazing stuff – can’t wait for Stage 16! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 14 – Grenoble to Risoul
Posted on July 20, 2014
Bonjour! Stage14 continued in the Alps in a hard day’s climbing and an engrossing day’s racing. The skies promised rain but didn’t deliver – instead riders worked hard in the sun. The race saw great performances from the AG2R team, Vincenzo Nibali, but the stage was won by up and coming climber, Rafal Majka, who crossed the line, jacket unzipped and flapping! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 13 – Saint-Étienne to Chamrousse
Posted on July 18, 2014
Bonjour! Stage13 arrived in the Alps and passed through the city of Grenoble. Spectacular scenery, including the still snowy and very white, Mont Blanc. This was another hard stage with more riders abandoning or falling back. Steering a very confident course through much of the race was Alessandro De Marchio who forged ahead. Until that is, the brilliant Vincenzo Nibali burst past everyone in the final kilometres to take the win alone and in style. Vincenzo has worn the Yellow Jersey for many days and must be the favourite for Paris. Who can catch him? Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 12 – Bourg-en-Bresse to Saint-Étienne
Posted on July 18, 2014
Bonjour! Stage12 continued the theme begun on Stage 11, hot sunshine, rolling countryside and beautiful chateaux. The announcement came that Andrew Talansky joined 4 other team leaders in retirement, but the race pressed on. French fans enjoying the progress of riders Cyril Gaultier and Perrig Quemeneur who brokeaway with Simon Clarke to lead for a great section of the stage. The sprint to the line saw Peter Sagan miss out on the win yet again – just beaten by Alexander Kristoff for the Russian team Katusha. And this was a ‘quiet’ stage! Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 10 – Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles
Posted on July 14, 2014
Bonjour! Stage10, was absolutely amazing. Riders toiling into the mountains through sunshine, rain and fog for over 4 hours – only to be rewarded with the near vertical climb at La Planche des Belles Filles, the killer hill! Contador sadly retired after an appalling fall. A brilliant ride by Rodriguez was outshone by Vincenzo Nibali who was first over the hill. A memorable Bastille Day! Thank goodness it’s a rest day tomorrow – we can all calm down a bit! See you on Wednesday – Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 9 – Gérardmer to Mulhouse
Posted on July 13, 2014
Bonjour! Stage 9 was another exciting day, with sunshine, showers, arduous climbs and fast descents. It was also a tale of two Tonys, namely Martin and Gallopin. The two men delighted their fans with the stage win and yellow jersey respectively. Tomorrow is Bastille Day and the Tour heads into the mountains proper. What could be better? Here are my drawings:
Tour de France 2014: Stage 8 – Tomblaine to Gérardmer La Mauselaine
Posted on July 13, 2014
Bonjour! Stage 8 saw the first climbing section in France. Another mixed day of weather, the stage starting in good sunshine with riders looking relaxed and smiling. As the stage progressed and the land rose, down came the rain once again, putting everyone to the test. Nip and tuck all the way, there was delight for the French as Blel Kadri took the stage win. The battle for second nearly as exciting, with Nibali, Contador and Chavanel going for glory. Congratulations! Here are my drawings:
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