Soft fabric sculpture, child’s shoes. Stuffed with shredded documents. Created by drawing doll-like shapes, scaled up by hand, with no measuring, plotting or checking proportion. The result is a character with its own life, albeit not apparently a very happy one.
I created this small book as an experiment in playing with Paintshop Pro. I’ve used layers, photo manipulation, and special effects and collaged them all together. I’m hoping that this will count towards my digital imaging unit at college.
This is the start of an experimental series. I wanted to do something to set up my own narratives, so I’ve used dolls and toys to create stories. I’ve aimed for a deliberately illustrative type of drawing (ink and wash) to create a sense of ‘fairy tale’. Very much work in progress, and lots more playing to do!
Oil on canvas 2 x 2.5 ft
It’s funny how working with the same image again and again makes you really look at it. The drawing on brown paper that I did yesterday suddenly looks hilarious – but yesterday I couldn’t see what was wrong with it. I guess this shows the importance of time in the creative process – leave something alone for a while, and it will eventually tell you what needs doing next. So that’s what I’ll do with this painting – leave it alone for a few days and it will either say ‘It’s OK, I’m finished!’ or ‘Get back to the drawing board’. I wonder which it will be?
This was originally drawn in ink and watercolour wash, then photocopied. I really like the way the photocopy has darkened all the values, creating a strange mood-effect.
Graphite and colour pencil on brown paper.
Both drawings are studies for a painting.
I plan to start catching up with posting some sketchbook work. This was a sketch I did last September, which eventually became the painting ‘Tired Now’.
Acrylic on canvas 2ft x 3ft
Shown propped on the table where I painted it, as I don’t yet have a studio easel big enough for a canvas this size. It’s painted on the canvas that I made last term.
Finally got this painting to a stage where I’m happy with it. Oil on canvas.
Finally here’s another painting. I’ve photographed it at various stages for anyone who is interested. It’s painted with water soluble oil paints on canvas.
The first stage was to put a very loose background wash on. I like to keep it very wet and allow the drips to run, as this creates an interesting texture to work on top of. I then drew an outline of the image using willow charcoal. Memo to self: if I use something more permanent such as oil pastel or dark paint, then I can confidently let the lines show in the final painting. The problem with charcoal is it does, of course, rub off!
In the second stage, I started to add flat blocks of colour, and then worked darker tones into the still-wet paint. I used a quick-drying water soluble oil medium to loosen up the paints. It’s very sticky to use, but does help the flow of the paint. I then let the whole thing dry.
In the final stage, I created a dark glaze using the same medium, and used it to darken the areas at the top of the picture. I also added some low-lights to the hair, and darkened some shadows. The whole thing is very glossy due to the medium, and is still wet, so I’m afraid it’s not a great photo.
