Exploring New Substrate and Media

My latest work is an exploration in using new Ohuhu alcohol markers and Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper (300 lb.; cold-pressed).

A first step was to rearrange the carrying case the markers came in into six sections (Yellows/Oranges, Reds/Pinks, Greys/Black, Neutrals, Greens/Purples, and Blues/Turquoises). Then, I created a chart with the color number, name, and samples from each of the marker ends (see first photo). Then I started a drawing on the new substrate. The 300 lb. paper is thicker though not hard. The somewhat cushy texture of the paper is for absorbancy--especially when using watercolors.

The markers work very differently than Sharpies. They bleed through 140 lb. watercolor paper while with the new substrate bleedthrough was slight. The Ohuhus are supposed to be blendable. By the work below, you can see I haven't figured that out yet (even though there was a blending marker included in the set).

I consider this work to have been a test. It's not my best, but I learned some things about these new tools and began using them.

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Introducing 'Kaleidoclown'

For fun, I've drawn one of my own photos (yes, I was dressed in a clown outfit) and added a wild and crazy background to accompany it for today's practice effort. As part of sketching the piece, it was split into four sections with two opposing diagonal lines. In terms of color choices, I've worked with color gradations for some shape sections. Can you believe, there are five major shapes in this effort? There really are -- circles, squares, trapezoids, triangles and spirals. I think the substrate is Biengfang Watercolor Paper (140 lb.). The materials used were Ohuhu markers, Micron 01 pigment ink pen, some red Stickles glitter glue for the nose, and a white Posca pen (for white dots on the face and to highlight eyes) and a yellow one (for yellow dots in the center of the flowers on the hat). There was no intention in working on this piece other than to have fun...and based on how it looks, I'd say well done!. One thing I learned is that blending with the Ohuhus i

New Project in Progress

I'm working on a new project with multiple layers and shapes of different colored organzas. It is an interpretation of lighting on an ice rink...from a show I recently saw. There is a lot more stitching to do, but I like how its coming along. I'm learning organzas are not easy to work with especially when you layer them and have overlaid edges. The fabric also tends to ravel easily. This post also linked to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com .

A New Sharpie Drawing/Painting

This effort was done starting with a 5-minute sketch while process photos were taken along the way. My intention was to work on color selections and to complete the jewelry/dangles to stand out without overtaking the female image (and maybe even getting a sense of dimension with their use). This is the second project in which a straight line across the page has been added to interrupt the wavy/curved lines -- and to show that using subtle color adjustments on each side of the line. (The first project that incorporates a line can be seen in the August 23rd post,) I'm pleased with how this came out. There are a few areas where the decoration looks sparse, but I notice it seems restful to my eye, since the balance of the Sharpie-painted areas are much busier. What is your experience looking at it? What draws your attention first?

Cay Denise

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