Category Archives: Art

Abstract Art, Art, Collage, Contemporary art

Dance

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As I have mentioned before on this blog, I am intrigued by the patterns that I see in nature and the fact that they are repeated on different scales. From blood vessels to river deltas, these fractal patterns are everywhere.

This often ends up with some of my work having a slightly visceral quality. I even did a series of paintings called “visceral landscapes”.

This painting included papers that I had previously decorated with acrylic paint and then were then collaged on to the painting. I also used various bits of paper from magazines. After the collage I worked more layers of paint until I was happy with it.

It turned out more obviously “visceral” than usual!

I showed it to a few people recently and it has been interesting to see the reactions of those viewing the painting. It seems to be that they either love it or loathe it. What is your opinion?

Abstract Art, Art, Contemporary art, News

More Minis…

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Here are four more little abstracts. This series is turning out to be fun. Challenging but also an opportunity to try out various ideas.

These are the same size as yesterday’s bunch, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, in a 6 x 8 inch off white mount. I used watercolour, ink, Neocolor 2 and a touch of acrylic on watercolour paper.

I will be putting these into a local gallery, Elgin Gallery, rather than on Etsy as I did with yesterday’s selection, which you can view here.

Abstract Art, Art, Contemporary art

New mixed media paintings

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Stripes 2

I have been playing about with my acrylic paints, inks and Neocolors. I used  heavy weight water colour paper as a base.

The ink is from Sakura’s Pigma pens, which are pigment based and fade proof. I especially love the brush tip version.

The Neocolor crayons are water soluble, so will dissolve with water to create a watercolour effect. I used to be sceptical about their usefulness, until I got some to try. Now I wouldn’t be without them. They are great to take sketching too.

 

Art

Watercolour Field kit, a repurposed organiser

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I love trying to recycle or upcycle things.  I hate to get rid of something that might potentially be useful. I have had this organiser hanging around for ages but it has never been used properly as I have another which is better suited to keeping my information handy.

I am always looking for ways to take a sketching kit along with me and I have various set ups, depending on the amount of room that I have in the bag that I will be carrying (if any). I had a play around with my organiser and found that I could fit a reasonable amount of kit in it. I ended up with a set of Inktense paints, which are a lot of fun. Lightfast and water resistant when dry. You can layer them very easily and the colours are strong. I also fit in a pair of containers for water. They are supposed to be for oil paint but work well for watercolours too.

I also cut some paper to fit, I used Zerkall printmaking paper in this case. It is a lovely smooth paper and takes both pen and watercolour really well. I have a great Bind punch which I used to make the holes, it is adjustable (A5/A6/A7) and I can get the holes in just the right position for my organiser. It is available here.

The pocket in the organiser holds some travel brushes, pencil and eraser. I forgot to show my  pen which fits in the loop next to the paper. I haven’t room for a water bottle but I usually carry one for drinking, so I will use that.

All in all, I am pleased with how it turned out. I have only taken it out once so far but hopefully it will get more use soon!

 

Abstract Art, Art

More playing with Dr PH Martin’s Bombay Indian Ink

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Inky Mess 2
Inky Mess 2

Further to my previous post, here is another painting using the fabulous Dr PH Martin’s Bombay Indian Inks.

This time I also used some Neocolor II crayons, which are professional quality, water soluble wax crayons. When the ink is used alongside them they partially dissolve and create some lovely effects.

I am loving the translucent qualities of these inks and will continue playing with them to see what they can do, on their own and in combination with other media.

 

Abstract Art, Art

Dr PH Martin’s Bombay Inks

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Inky Mess 1

Inky Mess 1 at an angle

Today I thought that I would try out some inks that I have had for a while but not yet had a chance to use, Dr PH Martin’s Bombay Inks. I was getting some gesso out of the cupboard and noticed the inks lurking at the back. So I promptly forgot my original plans and started playing – nothing unusual for me.

These inks use pigments rather than dyes and therefore have better lightfastness. The colours, as you would expect, are mostly vivid and translucent. There are some opaque colours, white and yellow ochre are examples.

You can dilute them with water to create paler colours. I applied them with a brush and also using a dip pen. They are waterproof when dry, which means that you can create many layers without worrying about creating mud.

I also used some recently acquired mica watercolours, Kuretake Starry Colors. As these don’t show up well in a head on photograph, I took a second one at an angle. These paints are very effective and very pretty.

I have a couple more doodles which I will include in my next post, assuming that I don’t get sidetracked..

Abstract Art, Art, Contemporary art

Yellow, black and white

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I am playing with a minimal palette just now which leaves me free to concentrate on just letting go with the mark making which is the first layer of this painting. I have a few ideas in the pipeline but don’t have enough time to get started on them. However, I can’t not do any painting! So this is today’s play. 🙂

Yellow black and white, minimal palette, acrylic on paper.

On another subject, I have been updating some of my blog settings and apologise in advance for any randomly duplicated email newsletters that get generated in the process! Hopefully it won’t happen but I thought it best to warn you!

 

Abstract Art, Art, Contemporary art, Digital, News

Facebook Competitions

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Leaflet entry
Leaflet entry

I found out on Monday that I am a finalist in a competition. The competition is being run by the nice people at Printed.com.

The “Square Flair-Off design competition” brief competition was to design a 150mm square leaflet. I used a pen and ink drawing that I had done as the basis for the design.

Sadly for me, I didn’t read through the rules properly (let that be a lesson) and notice the fact that the final leg of the competition is being held on Facebook. Now I don’t do Facebook – just because I am contrary – so this gives me a bit of a problem.

As I am not on Facebook, I don’t have any Facebook friends and because of the vagaries of Facebook, it is unlikely that I will get enough people voting for my design. It wasn’t that good anyway…

Still if you do feel like helping out here’s the link to my entry:

https://www.facebook.com/printedcom/photos/pb.183666021710384.-2207520000.1463657142./1025425350867776/?type=3&theater