New Techniques for Illusion and Myth!

A new technique from Design Matters TV, which 

Linda Kemshall demonstrated using extra strong PVA glue. A drawing is made by extruding the glue from a needle nosed bottle. Once dry, watercolour or acrylic paint or ink is washed over the surface. I decided to use an image by Hundertwasser for my experimental piece.

After my first attempt, I wondered if I could draw by using some black acrylic paint in the bottle. It seems to have worked, but I just need to add some colour now.

My Tuesday Sketchbook Development class this term is titled Illusion and Myth. Not quite sure as yet where this will take me, but I'm wondering if I can use this technique in some way. On the above drawing, after using the glue and letting it dry, I experimented by going over it with an indigo coloured sharpie pen, after using watercolour and acrylic paint for the background.

Most of these experimental images are black and white photocopies from some of my original and previous artworks or photos. The above image is from a photo I took of my daughter one morning. The sun was shining through her kitchen window, and was creating an interesting image being reflected in another window across the room which looked out on to her garden. The background of  leafy trees and shrubs were all surrounding the reflection of her profile as she was about to pick up her morning cuppa. I used a variety of green sharpies to colour the glue outlines, and after painting the background I rubbed some gold lustre over the framed area.

Above another copy from an original sketch showing part of a shell on the beach, and below, a cropped section from a photo of some grasses and reeds. I left the glue uncoloured on this one, but drew with a black fine liner around the edges of the glue.

This last piece is another coloured black and white photocopy of a textile that I made some years ago, inspired by a nest containing two eggs. I have used the sharpie  pens again to add colour, but no glue on this one. However, I have started to add some detail with a white pen, going over the details I could see through the coloured pen from the original textile.

I love experimenting with new techniques, and when I can actually go back and make use of photos or pieces of artwork from my stash, it helps to convince me that it's worth hanging on to stuff after all! Good excuse eh!

COLOUR (but no stitch or cloth!)

Just a riot of colourful moths and butterflies

Background painted in first, with the main characters left until last.

A few images showing some close up views.

No subtle colours with this one, just lots of fun with my paintbox!

A walk with friends on the South Downs

My latest panel inspired by a walk in early July last year. 

We did a circular walk on the South Downs, starting opposite the Seven Sisters Country Park in East Sussex, through Friston Forest and West Dean. I have included some of the photos I took, which I have used as inspiration for my watercolour panel

Farm land as well as the forest area.

Lots of plants, flowers and insects, and as it was a lovely warm day, the air was really buzzing with it all. 

So lucky to have all of this on my doorstep, who wouldn't be inspired!

My walk along the seafront on Sunday.

This sketch shows some of what I saw, and photographed as I walked along the seafront on Sunday. The sea cabbage on the shore was absolutely covered in cabbage white butterflies, and the cormorant decided to show off for me by spreading its wings in the sunshine. The Jackdaws are always scavenging for titbits at Holywell Cafe, where I stopped off to enjoy a coffee before walking back.

The flowers and grasses that grow along the side of the promenade also give plenty of texture, and is yet another habitat for birds and insects above the beach. It's lovely to have the seafront, shingle beach and sea birds on one side, with the contrast of trees, shrubs and plants on the other.

The full panel will eventually be folded into a concertina card, giving four panels. I need to get some good photos first though, before the fold lines start to show.

I've been wondering about printing some of these images onto cloth and adding stitch, but I think that may be taking things too far. However, I like the idea of recording places I visit using cloth and stitch, so an idea for me to be thinking about for a later date.

From Camera to Paint and Paper.

During my recent visit to West Wales we visited, amongst other places, Picton Castle and Gardens, and the Teifi Marshes Wildlife Centre in Cardigan. Both beautiful in their own ways, and full of some great photographic opportunities.

I have included some of these photos, alongside my ink and watercolour painting that they inspired.

Once completed, I have folded the strip into four sections, so that what I now have is a concertina card that is easy to display.

I love the raindrops on the flower petals, although I found it too hard to recreate on my painting! More practice needed I think!

This moth was resting in a hedge during the day. Not a very good photo, as the moth, which I think could be a Brimstone moth, was a brighter yellow than it appears above.

These cards are more of a personal reminder to me of places I have visited, and things I have seen. A sort of visual diary I suppose, and certainly not intended as an accurate account of insects, birds and plants and their habitat, hence the moth resting on the yellow dahlia!

Thanks again for stopping by, and just to let you know that I've added a link to a new website that will interest those of you who are artists. Lucy is a very good friend of mine, and an amazing artist and teacher.