Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Six Nations 2021 – Jonny May’s flying try
Posted on February 27, 2021
Jonny May’s Flying try I 
Jonny May’s Flying try II 
Jonny May’s Flying try III
HERE’S JONNY! Apologies! I couldn’t resist, it’s a great line from a great film! Here I have pinched it to describe these three images of Jonny May, made after his astonishing try at England’s last match against Italy. He flew high into the air – before scoring an astonishing try. It was amazing.
I have made several images but these three are my favourites – all larger than my usual size, from A3 up to A2-ish! so the lines and materials have expanded from the usual watercolour, pen and ink to include brush and twig as well as pen for the ink lines and acrylic paint here and there in addition to the watercolour. I also used a palette knife to give texture to drag the paint across the page and give extra marks and texture.
Works in progress 
Works in progress
I worked on the three of them over the course of a day or so – switching from one to another as the paint or ink needed to dry.
Fingers crossed for another flying performance from him today!
Speaking of which… better publish now before kickoff!
Six Nations 2020 – Welcome back!
Posted on October 24, 2020
Hello! – It all feels a very long time ago since the 2020 Six Nations tournament got underway – how the World has changed since then!
I can’t imagine that there is one person on this planet whose life hasn’t changed dramatically one way or another since the tournament was postponed in March… but here we are, one way or another, near the end of October, thrashing around adapting to this new life, whilst desperately trying to continue with the old one!
To this end, there have been some fantastic sporting events taking place, all crammed into the last remaining months of the year, with topsy-turvey giddiness as they hurtle past! Today sees a welcome return to the Six Nations with the match between Ireland and Italy this afternoon and a ‘super Saturday’ to look forward to next weekend. I have my kit at the ready, as I love drawing rugby, it’s flow and twists and turns and the Herculean strength are a joy to watch.
Here are some images featuring Italy and Ireland to whet your appetite – Enjoy!
Tumult 
Ireland v England, sketch 6 
Ireland v England, sketch 7: Push! 
Ireland v England, sketch 8, Cian Healy try 
Six Nations 2019 – Italy v Wales 
Italy v Wales (2017) Crunch time! Getting stuck in! 
France v Italy 
The ball is mine, Italy v Wales
Breakaway!
Posted on March 25, 2019
Hello! The image is taken from the recent match between Wales and Ireland. I love the monumental quality of the figures. It was good to capture the group as they wrestled the ball to the ground and passed it along to breakaway to the next phase.
Breakaway!
I made the picture in acrylic paint on paper, larger than usual at 35cm x 50cm, unframed. It’s the first time I’ve used acrylic for a while. It was different and it was fun – a change is a good as a rest, as they say. Another breakaway perhaps, but I think I must do some more… Let me know if you agree 🙂
Available to buy – hot off the press, so to speak – The sizes mentioned are the unframed image. Mounts and frames add approx 10cm all round.
Click this link for the picture enquiry form. Or please email me at maxine@maxinedodd.com, it’s always lovely to hear from you.
Six Nations 2019 – Wales triumph
Posted on March 21, 2019
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!
Wales v Ireland, Red sky
I think back to the their first half performance against France in the first match and what a transformation. They found their feet in the second half of that game and played relentlessly thereafter – simply outstanding.
Wales v Ireland – abstract
Wales v Ireland, pushing on
Meanwhile, the tournament finished as it began, with a game of two very different halves. This time it was England who were doing all they could to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory… Scotland turned the match around in the second half in style. The final score was a draw but it feels very much like a victory for Scotland… Hey ho!
I tried some new larger paper sizes for some of these which are a bit tricky to scan but nice to make. They equate roughly to A3 size on textured watercolour paper, which gives a texture if the paint is applied dry-ish and almost dragged over the surface with a flat brush.
England v Scotland – Pause
England v Scotland – Storming blues
The others are the usual 8 x 8in size on a lovely sturdy watercolour paper, smooth finish. I used a pen brush by Staedtler, with ink that reacts fantastically well when sprayed with water.
Italy v France – Felix
Available to buy – hot off the press, so to speak – The sizes are the unframed image. Click this link for the picture enquiry form. Or please email me at maxine@maxinedodd.com, it’s always lovely to hear from you.
Wales: Standing strong
Six Nations 2019 – Drawing live
Posted on February 25, 2019
Hello! This weekend saw another dramatic round of matches in the Six Nations tournament. Surprises, upsets and resurgence, all with some great rugby.
Tebaldi
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.
Wales v England – Quick breath
I made them while watching the games – I make them almost as ‘automatic drawings’ (ie looking at the subject only and not the paper) I watch and draw, barely looking at the page in front of me.
Wales v England
This gives gestural marks which suggest the flow of the action. The colour comes next where I do look at the drawing in front of me. They are all made in real time, live while the match takes place. I like the raw energy of these, see what you think…
Scotland try!
Tackle
All of them are approximately 8 x 8in / 18 x 18 cm in size. Made with my favourite pens and watercolours. I feel that there is scope for development into further work, which I’ll try, but often find that the image ‘dies’ a little for being more ‘finished’.
If I manage to get the balance right, I’ll publish, so let’s see what happens!
Big red boot
Meqnwhile, I hope you like these and that they remind you of a great weekend 🙂
French sleeves
Available to buy – hot off the press, so to speak – Click this link for the picture enquiry form. Or please email me at maxine@maxinedodd.com, it’s lovely to hear from you.
Opening salvos
Posted on February 22, 2019
I loved the first match of 2019 Six Nations – France v Wales in Paris – What could be better? And it was a remarkable game – and the old cliché ‘a game of two halves’ couldn’t be more apt.
This picture was made in the first few moments after kick-off, about five minutes in. I used a new brush pen as well as the usual one, which gives a stronger emphasis.
Picture details
‘Opening Salvos’
£195.00
Original watercolour, pen and ink drawing
H:20 W:18 CM / H:8 W:7 INCHES
Made with Schminke artists watercolours, Rotring Art Pen and Faber Castell artist pen on 300gsm watercolour paper – Pink Pig Yorkshire –
Unframed – supplied in mount ready for framing
- Price includes mount and postage to UK and EU
- Full framing available – see Picture info page.
- Postage and packing of framed pictures charged separately
- Complete the Enquiry Form to buy
Six Nations 2019 – Round 1
Posted on February 9, 2019
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 2!
France v Wales Sketch 1
France v Wales, Sketch 2
France v Wales, Sketch 3
Scotland v Italy, sketch 1
Scotland v Italy, sketch 2
Ireland v England, sketch 1
Ireland v England, sketch 2
Ireland v England, sketch 3
Ireland v England, sketch 4
Ireland v England, sketch 5
Ireland v England, sketch 6
Ireland v England, sketch 7
Ireland v England, sketch 8, Cian Healy try
Knock on advantage – Ireland v England
Crunch time!
Posted on February 1, 2019
Hello!
Tumult
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.
Scotland v Ireland (2017) – A win for Scotland
It’s great subject to draw, so fast and energetic, with good colour – it has it all
Six Nations – England vs Wales, Pushing on
This weekend’s opening matches see France against Wales, Scotland face Italy and Ireland versus England, all classics. With the Rugby World Cup coming up later this year, these matches will give all the teams and fans a glimpse of what’s to come. I can’t wait!
Six Nations – England vs Wales, Itoje breaks
Six Nations: France v Ireland
Italy v Wales (2017) Crunch time! Getting stuck in!
Six Nations – Impressions
Posted on April 8, 2017
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 the park! The images here are a mixture of colour and grisaille (grey tones) which is something I’ve been exploring the past few weeks. There’ll be more of these but this was the start… Here are my drawings:
Six Nations –
Posted on February 7, 2017
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 poised interestingly for the next round at the weekend. Here are my drawings :
Six Nations… England vs Wales
Posted on March 24, 2016
Hello! To say I’m falling behind with Six Nations is something of an understatement! England won in resounding fashion last weekend and I confess that I watched the action with a beer in my hand rather than my pen and paints! However, the week before saw a great encounter between England and Wales – where Maro Itoji played a fast, intelligent game – certainly a new star in the making. Have a wonderful Easter, whatever you are doing – see you soon! Here are my impressions:
Six Nations… Week 3
Posted on March 1, 2016
Hello! The third week of the Rugby Six Nations contest saw three close encounters with much debate in the household about scrums and refereeing. My eyes were too focused on the colour and movement to enter the discussion! I am trying to feature the ball in these images – I love the throw-ins, long kicks and of course great tries. There’s another chance to capture the action coming up soon but in the meantime, here are my impressions:
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