Just in case you hadn’t seen enough of this image – here’s one that I ‘drew’ with needle and thread. I didn’t trace the image first – I worked from a drawing in front of me. This may explain why it is rather wonky, but I am interested in the visual effects that you get from stitching. I would however have found this far easier if I’d had an embroidery frame!
I am experimenting with some techniques for printmaking at home, using inexpensive materials. This image was produced using intaglio print card to create a drypoint etching plate. I scratched the design into it using a bradawl and small screwdriver. I then inked it up using Artisan (water miscible) oil paint, wiping the excess off with torn pages of a telephone directory. To test it out, I dampened ordinary cheap cartridge paper, blotted it on newspaper, and laid it over the inked up plate. I then ‘pressed’ it using an ordinary rolling pin! It’s not perfect, but it is a start, and I plan to keep experimenting. I’ve made some cream handmade paper, and I plan to try using this for printing.
More pages from my sketchbook. You can just about make out some figure drawings on the right hand page. This kind of playing is a good way of learning about different ways to handle paint without getting hung up about the picture you are painting.
Another of my birthday presents was this inspiring book about artists’ sketchbooks and journals. It is encouraging me to play a bit more. These images started with some random paint marks applied with a palette knife, using left over paint. I also stuck on fragments of a paper bag that I like the colour of, and a sticker from a new pair of trousers (because stickers are fun, right?) I then used these pages to do some sketching from my figure studies book.
My intention with this was to lay down the basic shapes and colours of the image, which I could then work on top of. The problem is – I quite like the quality of this as it is. It has a ghostly, floating quality that seems consistent with that of memory. What do you think?
It seems ages since I’ve posted anything here. I’ve been busy with clients, family parties, birthday treats, and cycling. We managed to get nearly a week of sunshine after months of rain, so I’ve been outside as much as possible. It is certainly true that you appreciate the sun so much more when it is rarely seen (so Prince Hal said in Shakespeare’s Henry V Part something-or-other).
This has meant less time with paints and pencils, but I have started a painting of the girl-with-pram. Meanwhile, I’ve been sketching from one of my birthday presents.
I very much enjoy looking at collage, so I’ve attempted one in my large sketchbook (A3 size). I’ve got no idea what I’m doing, but it’s fun to play!
(P.S. If you haven’t already found it, this might be a good opportunity to play with the colour changer on this blog. See those tiny coloured squares on the top right corner? Try clicking on one.)
Mum scanned a few of my childhood photos for me. Here are a few sketches of scenes involving dolls (and good old Teddy too). This project seems to be broadening out from dolls to childhood. I’ve been filling my sketchbook with ideas, images and research. Click images to enlarge. The first two are carbon pencil; the third and fourth are dip-pen and ink.
I drew this whilst waiting for the moderator to visit our class at college last Wednesday. Drawing lots of little tiles is quite a good way of filling in time when you know you may keep being interrupted, as there isn’t too much to concentrate on at any one time.
The moderator looked at my work and seemed happy. He was there to see that the college tutors were doing their job properly, which I’m sure they are. So I’m now finished college for this year, and should even have a qualification in Art and Design! I have no idea when I will formally find out what result I got (if any) but I do know I’ve done enough to pass.
So, the summer beckons (damply so far) and I plan to do more walking, more sketching, and lots of artwork. I’m in the middle of a few projects right now including an oil painting, a 3D wire doll, and something to do with childhood photos.
Wax crayon on A2 size paper