Count Downton 1*

Julian Fellowes,  creator and writer of Downton Abbey, King of Soaps! Thank you to all those who have tuned in for the count down, your support has been very much appreciated. I’ve created an extra page to make a scroll down of all the images easy in one go. Cheers!

Enjoy Season 4! For more info go to the PBS link – HERE

Count Downton 2* and PPBF: A Child’s Calendar

For your coloring pleasure: Rose MacClare (Lily James) looking so very innocent.

Author: John Updike
Illustrator: Trina Schart Hyman
Publisher: Original text: Alfred A. Knopf, 1965; New edition: Holiday House, 1999/2002
Age: found three: at 3, 4, 5, and up
Themes: American children’s poetry, months
Opening: January: The days are short,/ The sun a spark/ Hung thin between/ The dark and dark.
Summary: (Excerpt from my library catalog) A collection of twelve poems describing the activities in a child’s life and the changes in the weather as the year moves from January to December. A Caldecott Honor Book.

Why I like this book: 
Resources/Activities: Click HERE to view the illustrations for the original printing in 1965, by Nancy Eckholm Burkert; learn songs about days of the week or months – HERE

For more Perfect Picture Book selections, go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog – HERE

Count Downton 3*

Dr. Clarkson (David Robb), is Scottish, and I can’t think of Scotland without the fond memory of Gavin Maxwell’s book, Ring of Bright Water, which was made into a delightful movie by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna. The book is marvelous, and I became fan enough to read a few of his other books (anyone local is free to borrow what I’ve got), and it’s a wonder I haven’t planned a trip to his old stomping grounds. You might be interested in  someone who did, and their accounts,  HERE. In any case, you’ll understand why I had to draw him as an otter.

Count Downton 4*

Branson (Allen Leech), the chauffeur – love his look with them goggles!

Count Downton 5*

Second attempt (first looked drugged out on Cortisone! – Ack!) I never did catch her name while watching: Martha Levinson (Shirley Maclaine), the mother of Lady Grantham.

*Wishing everyone a ‘guten Rutsch’ into the new year!

Count Downton 6*

I was thinking about the next charachter to draw while watching scenes from Bate’s trial, which I found rather boring. The one person who stood out at all was the criminal court judge in his striking red robe, black shawl and crisp white collar. And how could I resist drawing someone with a wig! The judge was not sleeping, but I thought he’d’d like to.

I found this website with photos of judges costumes from all over the world – fascinating!

Count Downton 7*

My 333rd post!

Edith’s married boss and suitor, Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards): rather more a fish than a frog, but this is what happened.

Count Downton 8*

I had been hoping that a character only spoken of would ignite some interest: Edith is reminded of the governess they didn’t like, Fraeulein Kelda, by Patrick Gordon.

Count Downton 9*

I don’t regularly show just initial sketches, but I really liked something about this one, so I stopped there.

What I’d like to know was how on earth O’Brien came up with the idea to write to Mrs. Vera Bates (Maria Doyle Kennedy), and how did she ever get her address? Did anyone recognize the actress from a popular film made about 25 years ago, a favorite of mine at the time?

Count Downton 10*

Cousin Isobel (Penelope Wilton) – will she continue to throw herself into her progressive work? Interested to see how or if her status within the family will change too.