Derry Sketcher
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derrysketcher.bsky.social
Derry Sketcher
@derrysketcher.bsky.social
800 followers 740 following 990 posts
Near-Derry based artist-illustrator. Mainly work with pet and animal portraits.
Email: derrysketcher@gmail.com
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derrysketcher.bsky.social
Had a lovely day at Ards Forest Park in Donegal. This is Sheep Haven Bay in case you want a look
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
The artificial light coming through my oak tree just now. Camera doesn’t really do justice to how dim the tree is and how orange the leaves.
A close up of an oak three in the darkness. The branches are in dark silhouette while a street lamp illuminates the orange and golden leaves against the night sky.
October 12, 2025 at 7:35 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
I changed my phone wallpaper and I gotta say, it makes me happy when I close an app and see him pop up ☺️
A screenshot of the bottom of my phone wallpaper that shows Tom the cat from the Tom and Jerry cartoons looking worried
October 11, 2025 at 7:11 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Gorgeous!
October 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Also, here’s some progress photos. I always start with the eyes
A process photo of the digital drawing of drag queen Latrice Royale. You can see how the drawing comes together and in what order everything is drawn, starting with the eyes, then nose, lips, skin, hairline, jewellery and chest, hair and finally, the graphic background/frame.
September 26, 2025 at 6:11 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
It’s that time of year again everyone. I get to draw Drag Queens. Here’s Latrice Royale for my brutha-from-anutha-mutha @rhubardlemons.bsky.social
A digital drawing of drag queen Latrice Royale complete with pink graphic design
September 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
I feel like more people in the UK need to absorb this message…
Phoebe and Joey from Friends discuss what’s really wrong with the UK. Who gave us austerity? The Tories Who gutted NHS funding? The Tories Who sacked 20,000 police officers? The Tories Why is everything in the UK broken? Immigrants!
September 3, 2025 at 7:39 AM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
So, after planting pollinator plants around our pond, we’ve noticed a huge upsurge in butterflies in the garden. We’ve had Cabbage Whites, Peacocks & Red Admirals. And so many of them too! Making small changes to your outdoor space can really help wildlife & brighten up your gardens & windowsills
A peacock butterfly rests on a side panel in our back garden. A red admiral butterfly sits on the house wall in our back garden.
August 19, 2025 at 6:22 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
The second lotus flower in my pond this year. There are another two buds in the water as well so after this one dies off, the next bud should be opening and the same for the third. I’m hoping I’ll see about four weeks of pond flowers if the timing is right.
A solitary pink lotus flower sits in pond water surrounded by lily pads and duckweed. A solitary pink lotus flower sits in pond water surrounded by lily pads and duckweed.
August 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Great to see Dennis’s wee brother from Derry Girls on University Challenge for the UCL team. This fella is much more polite though #GetOut
Dennis, the shop owner from the tv show Derry Girls looks perplexed and wears a yellow top underneath a black leather jacket.
July 21, 2025 at 7:39 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
For anyone looking for a nice day out in Donegal amongst nature, I can heartily recommend The Oakfield Park in Raphoe. Brilliant facilities, a really good restaurant and 100 acres of beautiful grounds, walkways and features. Lots to do for the kids and grown ups alike and well worth a visit
Inside a wooden carriage of the little train that takes you around the park. It’s a great way to see the park before you head off to explore on foot. Red leather seats rest against warm wooden panels and an old fashioned sign for the Donegal Railway hangs above the seat. Through the window, a gorgeous wildflower field can be seen. The sunlight also streams in through the windows A beautiful lake, with lily pads, reeds and an embankment in the background is viewed through a stone archway. The skies are blue and the waters still but plenty of wildlife is nearby Nestled in heavy woodland stands a sculpture that is overgrown with moss and grass. It resembles a head protruding through the soil from the nose upwards and the long grasses resemble wild hair. Eats, a nose and eyes are also present. A female mallard duck wanders along the waters edge, a little wary of being photographed.
July 17, 2025 at 10:47 AM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
A few weeks ago I noticed we had a water lily bud coming up in our pond. Even though it was closed this morning, look at what the day has brought! Much excitement was had at the discovery of this! 😍
A photo showing pond water with lily pads, duck weed and a beautiful pink water lily blossom A photo showing pond water with lily pads, duck weed and a beautiful pink water lily blossom
June 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
The bud in question
A pond filled with duckweed and lily pads. In the foreground there appears to be a flower bud protruding from the water A close up of a water lily bud coming through the pond water amongst the duckweed and lily pads.
June 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Not only is @jconnollybooks.bsky.social a brilliant writer, he’s also a brilliant chap! It’s so lovely to think there’s a piece of my art out there, being enjoyed and appreciated. Very best wishes to you and your family John. Can’t wait to get stuck into this #TheChildrenOfEve
The signed page of The Children of Eve by John Connolly. The dedication says “To Laura, ‘The Messenger’ is still on our wall, so thank you! Best, John Connolly.
May 14, 2025 at 1:18 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
If you see this, post a witch
The drag queen Bianca Del Rio wears a ginger wig, has dramatic makeup on and is laughing with her mouth open and wide. She wears what looks like a jesters bib and while she’d be displeased at being called a witch, she’d likely say it was a fair roast. I love her absolutely devastating take downs of people around her and think she’s a fabulous drag queen.
April 30, 2025 at 8:07 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
I know what you mean…
Wilbur the cocker spaniel lies on his mistress, front legs in the air, back legs akimbo. He is asleep and his mouth lies open, his ear dangles to the side as he lies on his back breathing dog breath at the camera. At least his teeth are clean
April 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Gah, he’s such a dramatic dog and I wouldn’t change a single thing about him. He’s always been sassy since the day he was born and this is him a few days after we got him. Hasn’t changed a bit since then either
Wilbur the blue roan cocker spaniel looks back over his shoulder towards the camera with a judgemental look on his face. This boy did not come to play, he came to slay! Wilbur the blue roan cocker spaniel is highly unimpressed with his new home. The floor isn’t warm enough, there was no chocolate on his pillow and apparently the spa is closed for renovations. He looks towards the camera with a scowl before asking to speak to the manager.
April 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Been meaning to draw my dog in the style of Celtic art so I’ve faffed about for an hour and this is the result.
A cocker spaniel has been drawn in the style of Celtic dogs, like those who feature in the Book of Kells. It is highly stylised and has been coloured in the traditional Kells colours of greens, blues and gold A cocker spaniel has been drawn in the style of Celtic dogs, like those who feature in the Book of Kells. It is highly stylised and has been coloured in the traditional Kells colours of greens, blues and gold. Also included is the reference photo depicting a blue roan cocker spaniel who is the world’s biggest drama queen. He will bark and scream at the slightest thing, demands regular massages, not rubs, proper massages and a share of every single thing you eat.
April 16, 2025 at 2:13 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
If you see this post something monochromatic
A portrait of two black labradors completed with polychromos pencils in various shades of black and grey coloured pencils.
March 31, 2025 at 9:07 AM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
The most recent #Donegal adventure was to Ards Forest Park. I haven’t been to Ards for about 35 years and back then it was a trip to the friary. Now however, I discovered an enormous forest park with walking trails, saltwater lakes and sandy beaches. Of course, gorgeous weather helped too
A woman stands inside a wooden structure that has been lined with hay. She extends her hand out to touch the sides while a beach can be seen in the background. Gorgeous sandy beaches at Ards Forest Park in Donegal. Overhead, blue skies fill the frame A silvertone image looking back towards the trees at Ards Forest Park in Donegal. The haze from the sunny day lies close to the edge of the forest
March 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
We recently discovered a small nature reserve on our Donegal travels and whilst there, came across an abandoned and likely crashed car in the undergrowth. Whilst checking it out, I took some photos but luckily didn’t find anything else untoward.
The crashed remains of a car sits in a local nature reserve, showing evidence of how nature has reclaimed the space for its own. The drivers seat and steering wheel are covered in vegetation whilst the engine has been disemboweled in the background.
March 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
A #HappyStPatricksDay to anyone who celebrates 🐍. Here are some photos of Castle Roe in #Donegal taken on a recent trip. Ireland is a beautiful country, steeped in history and full of life. Here’s hoping you have a great day filled with a thousand Irish blessings ☘️
The interior tower of Castle Roe in Donegal. A silvertone filter has been used to emphasise the gnarliness of the stone and location A silvertone photo of the interior of a tower at Castle Roe in Donegal. The tower is open to the elements, resulting in a circular hole that opens to the skies A silvertone photo of the entrance of Castle Roe as you leave. The stone and uneven ground adds to the historical and gnarly nature of the site. The shores next to Castle Roe in Donegal. In the distance, the hills are lit by spring sunshine, emphasising the warm browns and in the foreground, the water flows around the sands. A large variety of birds can be found here and a little cemetery rests off to the right.
March 17, 2025 at 8:05 AM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Another atmospheric photo, this time from Navan Fort, taken earlier this week #Armagh #VisitArmagh
A tree stands in silhouette at Navan Fort in Armagh. This was at the top of a steep hill that my knees neither appreciated or hairstyle survived.
March 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Todays jaunt was a trip to Slieve League, a mountain that was taller than I imagined #Donegal #VisitDonegal #MyPoorKnees
A panoramic photo of Slieve League in Donegal. The cliffs are visible in the background with the sea in front and blue skies overhead. A view from higher up Slieve League in Donegal. The cliffs are in the background with the sea in front and in the foreground, a sheep grazes on the grass. Blue skies lie overhead. What isn’t visible is my windswept head. The route down from the higher ground of Slieve League in Donegal. A stone path leads seemingly to the sea. Blue skies with dramatic clouds lie overhead. It was at this point that I knew my knees weren’t 20 years old anymore and neither was I.
March 8, 2025 at 6:52 PM
derrysketcher.bsky.social
Was recently at Gosford Park in Armagh for an overnight stay and it’s a lovely place if you like deer, the woods and nice coffee in the mornings. Here’s a misty tree in the morning dawn
A tree stands in silhouette against the early morning mist in Gosford Park, Armagh.
March 7, 2025 at 9:20 PM