Explorations - Substrates, Watercolors, and Sharpies, oh my!

These are small studies (3"x3") that were created using remnant paper from other art projects and a variety of art media.

The paper included Bristol drawing paper, cardstock, and watercolor paper. The art media was primarily watercolors (Kuretake and Jane Davenport) and Sharpie pens while the basic sketch was done with a Staedtler Pigment Liner. Other materials used for decoration included different combinations of Stickles, Posca pens, Gelly Roll pens, Sakura Pen Touch markers and acrylic paint.

One thing I learned is that watercolor on Fluid 100 watercolor paper (300 lb.) is not easy to control when the paper is this small. Pens and Stickles don't work well on it either. (Photo of this experiment - not posted.)

I also learned that Jane Davenport's watercolors (that come on paper strips) are highly saturated with a wonderful range of hues. However, they stain and soak very quickly into watercolor paper such that the watercolor can't be moved or removed with water. (Photo of this experiment - not posted.) I still have to try these watercolors on the cardstock and a heavier-weight watercolor paper to see if they behave differently.

Overall, I like doing these little studies (the most successful ones posted above) -- because I like finished pieces that are serendipitously cohesive, even if they're experiments.

How do you explore finding out what materials you prefer to work with in your art-making?

Comments

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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