I’ve been really encouraged reading other peoples blogs about drawing to keep up with my own work so thanks to DesignedbyDooge, CrenellatedArts and Kestrelart for the ‘virtual’ inspiration.

My latest effort is this tea cup and saucer which my partner bought for me at an op-shop a few weeks ago. The cup and saucer was made by the Westminster Fine China Australia ( see item 247) and is rather fetchingly described as a ‘tennis set’. I presume this is because ladies who were taking a break from playing tennis could easily fit their cake onto the saucer/plate (it’s rectangular in shape) while still balancing their cup. I think it is from the late 1950’s/early 1960’s.

Westminster Fine China Australia ‘tennis set’

I was aiming to paint this without resorting to outlining –  which might have been more easily achieved if I hadn’t decided to use watercolour pencils. To add to the challenge the set is highlighted with a gold rim (which is “guaranteed 22 carat” by the manufacturers label). There are some passages, inside the cup which I think have worked well, but I’m most pleased with the result with the black and white gingham tablecloth.