At the print workshop we work with some beautiful papers and always use the best quality for the courses we run. It’s surprising how many people never collect their work afterwards. Even if they don’t like the image, there’s a lovely – and expensive – piece of paper that can be used again. I’m always trawling the paper recycling bin for anything that can be re-used. I found some pieces of Bockingford 250gsm that had been prepared for cyanotype but then thrown away without exposing an image onto them, leaving a gorgeous expanse of blue. I went to life drawing group this evening and after a dodgy start, settled into drawing a portrait of our model in black and white conte crayon, which worked very well with the heavy texture of Bockingford.

this is a wonderful image – can’t imagine throwing away a beautiful piece of paper – you should see the junk we collect!
I now – it’s incredible what people chuck away. I’ve got some pieces of art I’m really proud of that started out in the bin.
Wistful, atmospheric image – lovely.
Thank you 🙂
What I understand is it your birthday today … so I wish you a fantastic day and good luck with the ones to follow – A love your drawing and that you reuse.
Thank you so much 🙂
Gorgeous! And I love the emotion in the piece created by the blue/green…very moody. Nice upcycling art job!
Upcycling! That’s a new one on me. Thank you 🙂
Great bit of recycling, wonderful drawing
Thank you Martin
This looks really good and I love the way you have reused something that someone else thought to throw away. It would have been such a waste. Clever you! I love the placement of the face – sometimes the position that adds something really interesting to a drawing.
Yes, I think long and hard about the placement of the subject, it can make a huge difference 🙂
Amazing portrait! I really like it.
Thank you 🙂
recycling is good but recycling+art is great!
I love working with something that’s random, rather than a pristine sheet of white paper 🙂
Gorgeous!
Thank you 🙂