Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers
Graphite, Gesso And Watercolour On Paper
15.9 x 11"

     I've been pushing a new technique recently of creating a tonal drawing in graphite and washing watercolour over it. I like the fact that the gesso corrections resist the watercolour and create some abstract elements. I never was a fan of watercolour but this way of working means I have a use for it now.

Diamond

Diamond
Graphite And Watercolour On Paper
15.3 x 18.7"

     Another experimental mixed media piece. I wanted to try and add some colour washes over graphite and gesso to see what would happen. The watercolour stay on the graphite but not on the gesso which makes for some interesting abstraction. Definitely something to explore further.

Canadian Goose

Canadian Goose
Monotype On Paper
11.7 x 8.3"

     Monotypes can be a bit hit and miss. Part of the 'fun' is not knowing how it will turn out after it's been run through the press. Unlike other printing methods you only get one go at it as well which adds to the risk. So this one turned out fine and what a fun subject as well. It was difficult to create the feathers but well worth it. I might also do a painting of these guys later on.

Fragile

Fragile
Monotype On Paper
11.7 x 8.3"

     This is a print that went wrong. I think I put on the paint on too thickly and it didn't transfer properly. The brand used was different from the normal one I use and it was having a hard time sticking to the plate. Anyway I messed around with it a bit and made something a bit more abstract. I'm working on a drypoint of this vase right now so you will get to see a more representative version soon.

Thinking Cap

Thinking Cap
Watercolour On Watercolour Paper
14.8 x 10.6"

      It's been a long time since I have touched watercolour but I wanted to learn to use it. So I thought a self portrait would be a good idea as a test. It's still a slow process and I find it a weak medium but I'm sure my skills will improve over time.

Remembrance

Remembrance
Monotype On Paper
11.7 x 8.3"

     I made a picture for remembrance day last year and so thought I would do one again. I thought one of those plastic poppy's would be an ideal subject and print be the ideal medium. Originally I was going to make it using flat colours but I decided I wanted to give it some depth. I'm glad I detailed it with the shadow and highlights now as it really adds another dimension to the piece.
     So here are the results of another successful monotype. With it I give thanks to the men and women who fought and died to give me the freedom I enjoy today, and allow me to create my art. Thank you for your sacrifice and I will not forget it.

Self Portrait

Self Portrait
Ink, Acrylic And Watercolour On Paper
23.4 x 16.5"

     Self portraits are something I have avoided in the past. This is partly because I don't really paint people. The other part is that I'm not that fond of myself. Painting for me is an escape from everything, including myself. When I'm working on a piece I'm no longer me but just some entity that is nameless and formless, that only cares about the art. In truth I'm running away from myself through my work.
     However I do need the practice as I have decided to start creating more paintings with people in them. I hope this will add more life to my architectural work and pave the way to more portrait related stuff.
     So here I am in mostly ink form. Now its a close likeness I think but there are lots of things wrong with it and so I must make more and improve. If I had access to models or willing family members I would use them but I don't so I guess I will have to do for now.

Colour Monotype

Rubber Duck II
Monotype On Paper
8.3 x 11.7"

Butterfly
Monotype On Paper
11.7 x 8.3"

     I read about a simple technique for creating coloured monotypes with watercolour and thought I would give it a go. All you do is paint the picture on a plate using watercolour straight from the tube, wait for it to dry and run it through a press with damp paper. The transfer is pretty good and much easier than using ink. I suppose you don't even need to use a press the transfer is that easy and the results are really vibrant. So there we go, another new thing to occupy my time.

Watersoluble Graphite experiment

Dancer in Red
Watercolour on Paper

     This painting was an experiment using two types of wet media. I used watersoluble graphite to draw the more abstract parts of the drawing and again to add tone to the dancers body. Though the graphite is watersoluble, its quite water resistant when dry and watercolour washes can be applied right on top of it without fear of contamination.

Green Door



Green Door
Watercolour on paper
11.7 x 8.3"

     I wanted to do some more architectural images and so have started to paint things like doorways and columns. This is the first one i have completed so far. More to come soon. It is also different from my usual work as there is no abstraction with the focus being on the design.

Watercolour Bellydancers

Dancer in Purple
Watercolour on paper

Dancer in Blue
Watercolour on paper

     Here are two watercolous of bellydancers i painted. I used the tribal fusion style as inspiration for the costumes as they are beautiful and very layered. I want to do more of these as i really like to watch this type of dancing. Hopefully the next ones will be more detailed and i can better study the movements of the dancers.