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.

Furry Cosplay

Furry Cosplay
Acrylic And Gesso On Paper
16.2 x 11.5

     Admittedly I know nothing about the furry community. In fact my only experience of it is from a CSI episode I saw many years ago, which probably didn't present an accurate view of the community at all. But its the costume I'm interested in here. another one of my graphite and gesso pieces that seemed to work out well enough.

Pensive

Pensive
Graphite And Gesso On Paper
16.5 x 11.75

I'm trying out a new way of creating my drawings using gesso to free them up a bit. I have been inspired in this by the work of an artist called Derek Jones who seems to be a master of mixed media. Hopefully this will give them a bit more life and allow me to add some more abstract elements. Anyway this is a portrait of my sister.

Abandoned Police Station

Abandoned Police Station
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     A drawing of Conisbrough's old Police station. A relic from a time long past. Such a shame as it's a really solid building and quite unique looking. It's been a while since I have done any good drawings like this but I think I should try to do some more regularly. My heart is in painting but the fundamentals always need work. So I guess drawings are like vegetables :)

Sketching

Sketching
Drypoint
11.7 x 8.3"

     A drypoint of a good friend of mine sketching away. I used water soluble graphite again in place of ink.

Cold Night Air

Cold Night Air
Drypoint
11.7 x 8.3"

     I'm trying out drypoint printing right now. I haven't done it since college and I already have a few plates scratched and ready. I'm not using ink yet though and this was printed using water soluble graphite. It seems to work pretty well though.

Judgement

Judgement
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 11.75"

     A dramatic self portrait. I was thinking about stage actors and the theatre when I made this. I sometimes wish I had taken up acting, that I might be more fearless. Another dream I suppose. I think we might need several lifetimes to achieve all our plans. So here is my interpretation of judgement and may I never be found wanting.

Motion

Motion
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 6.5"

     Sometimes I think my paintings and drawings aren't free and loose enough so this is a good way to counter that.

Morning Coffee

Morning Coffee
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 11.75"

     I went back to a more abstract way of working for this one, but still making it recognisable and representative. I wanted to show a lot of light in this drawing and how it bounces around to illuminate and create a silhouette. 

Wanderer

Wanderer
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     I have the intention of drawing and painting more horses and maybe attending a race to get some good reference material one day. For now though I am committed to human portraits and will be so probably to the end of the year. So this will have to do for now but I think he has a lot of character compared to those race horses.

Market cafe

Market Cafe
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"

     This is my final entry to the Derwent Art Prize this year. Now I have six entries which is three more then last year and I hope to have the same success. My drawings have become more figurative over the course of the year and much more like my paintings which is what I always wanted.
     Hopefully at least one of my entries will be accepted because after being rejected from the Ferens exhibition and the Ruskin Art Prize I could do with the morale boost.    

Feeding Pigeons

Feeding Pigeons
Graphite On Canvas
11.75 x 16.5"

     Another entry for the Derwent Art Prize which is coming up fast. Now I have three drawings based on the theme of pigeons. Last year my theme was coastal drawings and I thought it would be nice to have some of the drawings I submit this year have a link to each other as well.

Broken Lightbulb

Broken Lightbulb
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 10.9"

     Take something mundane and make it an interesting picture. That's the challenge and I think I succeeded in my aim. Another one for the Derwent Art Prize maybe.

Bow

Bow
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 11.5"

Take Flight

Take Flight
Graphite On Paper
16.5 x 11.75"

     I'm hoping to enter the Derwent art prize again this year and so have started drawing more and trying new ideas out. My previous drawings last year were too abstract and since I have moved towards more figurative work in my paintings it makes sense to do so with my drawings.
     Right now I am definitely thinking of entering this one and the feather drawing as they are the best ones so far and share a common theme.

Gamecube

Gamecube
Graphite On Paper
11.75 x 16.5"
 

     A drawing of my favourite console. I think the controller was just right and it had a lot of Star Wars games. Luckily I still have it too.