I’m simply again residence after a beautiful 12 days in Port Macquarie – spending plenty of time sketching the native seashores and catching up with buddies (typically over meals).
My three targets have been
1. to be exterior as a lot as doable,
2. to meet up with buddies, and
3. to play with and take a look at new issues.
I bought the right stability of all three issues, and I really feel refreshed and impressed by my little break.
I now have a variety of scanning to do, however earlier than I begin sharing sketches and pages, I assumed I might point out instruments and media first! 🙂
Sketchbook
I made a decision that I might use a 8×10″ Softcover Alpha e-book (by Stillman and Birn) that I actually loved utilizing final yr for my Bathurst area journey. As I used to be going away for practically two weeks, I packed a second e-book simply in case.
I discover that after I take the strain off and put no expectations on my work, I typically produce extra. And this certainly was the case for this journey. On my solo days, I didn’t have wherever to go and will spend so long as I wished on the seaside (particularly if I used to be sitting in a shady spot), so I typically did a couple of sketch.
Additionally, understanding I had a second e-book made me freer to experiment – there was no restrict on the pages I might use.
I accomplished the primary sketchbook on Day 8 and managed to fill half of the second e-book. I don’t care concerning the variety of pages I accomplished as such however it’s a signal that I reached a state of movement and that feels good!
New Media
I ended up doing a variety of mixed-media experimentation, with the brand new media for this journey being Posca paint markers.(I began utilizing these the week earlier than due to hanging out with my buddy Laurie Wigham – see extra about that right here.)
I mixed them with watercolour and Neo Coloration II water-soluble crayons in every kind of various methods. I wished to play with opacity and construct up layers to create fascinating layers.
Not each experiment labored, however the repeated subject material was good for attempting new issues. I ended up with some overworked bits in my sketches, however that’s typically how I develop new working strategies. I’ve to do some ‘kitchen sink’ work (i.e., embody every thing however the kitchen sink) earlier than simplifying!
I discovered that I most well-liked utilizing the massive chisel suggestions and creating large, free shapes, and I ended up utilizing them in nonstandard methods – including water to them or smudging them! (Alpha paper provides me a number of seconds after I can transfer them earlier than drying completely.)
Utilizing a totally totally different medium and always attempting new strategies was tremendous enjoyable!
New Device – Lacking Device
New Device: On the second day I went into Kmart to get some low-cost washi tape and ended up seeing a extremely low-cost set of waterbrushes. I ended up utilizing this flat brush for texture. I don’t like utilizing it for portray with watercolour (because it doesn’t set free sufficient water), however it was nice for mixing the Poscas and Neocolors collectively and for creating textured edges for waves.
Lacking Device: My favorite pencil to make use of for water is a white chinagraph (or lumocolor) waxy pencil which helps me protect white beneath my watercolour. I didn’t have it with me, and it was sorely missed! I couldn’t purchase a alternative in Port Macquarie, however I’m realizing now that I ought to have purchased some low-cost white candles!
An excessive amount of stuff!
There is no such thing as a doubt in any respect…
I carried method an excessive amount of with me on this journey, and now that I’m residence, I’ve the problem of trimming my package all the way down to one thing extra manageable.
A couple of ideas
1. Throughout this journey, the rule for my sketching was to play, to take dangers (greater than regular!), to place the Poscas markers to the take a look at, and to not choose the outcomes! If I have been doing the sort of experimentation at residence, I most likely wouldn’t share a lot of the outcomes publicly. (It’s good to generally do work only for me!) However as I used to be travelling, I’ll share all my sketches with you as I need a document of my adventures. So please take a look at these works in the identical spirit during which I created them. 🙂
2. In lots of cases, I don’t recall precisely what my steps have been (keep in mind I used to be taking part in!) So there isn’t a lot level in asking me how I achieved sure textures as I’ll most likely not have the ability to inform you. 🙂 If I develop strategies into my on a regular basis sketching I’ll share extra sooner or later.
3. The way in which I used the Poscas doesn’t make a lot sense in some respects, however I see them as a doable transition to gouache. A small gouache palette can be a lot much less cumbersome to hold round with me.
4. It was enjoyable to see my distinct mark-making and my type emerge in a special medium!
5. Doing a lot layering goes towards my nature a bit of. At instances, I used to be impatient and didn’t let layers dry, so it took me some time to get a really feel for the timing when mixing media.
6. I’m additionally pleased to be utilizing a flat brush. I’ve wished to make use of one for years, however it by no means felt proper to me to make use of a flat brush for watercolour. This would possibly open the door for me to start out utilizing correct flat brushes (i.e., not water brushes) in my watercolour work.
7. I’m nonetheless completely in love with Neocolors!
8. It goes with out saying that watercolour remains to be my favorite – however one thing particular occurs after I begin utilizing new media. It provides me a brand new appreciation for pigment suspended in water!
9. Last thought: I feel I may need simply written my Reflections Publish for this journey! 🙂
