If the Shoe Fits!

How nice to slip into something that you haven’t worn for 10 years ....... and it still fits! Ok, it just happens to be a pair of sandals but still I'm impressed and if the shoe fits, put it on! After spending the last months in black leggings and socks or trainers, time for a little glamour! These were my Cinderella shoes, they danced at balls, carried me to receptions, formal dinners and some pretty wild Christmas dos. The fact that with my bad eyes and chipolata finges it took me ages to (try) to get those fiddly little buckles closed (as you see I gave up) didn’t stop me from feeling like a princess and enjoying a glamour moment and a bit of nostalgia. 

Time to sketch these babes and there came the rub; colourwise they are not very exciting but the subject of the page is ''that was then and this is now'' ..... and the straps throw some nice shapes! 

 I set out just in pencil which proved to be a mistake, whenever I use pencils alone my drawing tends to get very tight and finicky. Memories of drawing class at school, moulding apples and blackening soggy bananas in horrendous still lifes come to mind and so it was time to combine the pencil with a watercolour wash, still trying to keep the feeling of delicacy and lightness. 

I enjoyed playing with the straps and shadows and staying playful, just like these sandals ...... glittery, girly and definitely part of the past, by the time I got my shoes done up the party would be over and I doubt I could stand in them for 5 minutes never mind hours. Much as I loved them they were certainly not the highest heels I ever wore and looking back I can’t believe that I used to teach for hours in high heels in summer or winter regardless; heels in snow, perfect ... dig them in like little ice picks and you're good to go!