Doldrums

I did a lot of artwork when I was in the USA last month but since I’ve been back I’ve really been in the doldrums. I’ve had the artist equivalent of writer’s block and the past few days in particular have been very frustrating. I realised today that I just have to get off myContinue reading “Doldrums”

The Columbian

I spend the afternoon at Swansea Print Workshop but didn’t have any plates or blocks ready for inking so I did a spot of drawing instead. This is our lovely old Columbian Press, dating from 1855, with one of our artist/printmakers inking up a collagraph in the foreground. It’s drawn onto a sheet of stretchedContinue reading “The Columbian”

Apricots And Bunnies (not for vegetarians)

I’ve been having lots of discussions about rabbit skin glue with local artists recently. It seems that some art colleges don’t bother teaching about technique and materials any more. Well, there we are then! Anyway, rabbit skin glue is a very versatile and cheap size for applying to canvas, paper, wood and cardboard before painting,Continue reading “Apricots And Bunnies (not for vegetarians)”

A Lovely Line [female nude]

I had a nice life drawing in my sketchbook and decided to take it a stage further into a fully worked-up drawing and then, eventually, into a full-colour reduction monotype. I stretched a sheet of Bockingford 250gsm and gave it a couple of coats of rabbit skin glue, then washes of acrylic paint in yellowContinue reading “A Lovely Line [female nude]”

Three Stages Of Man

Back to reality after last week’s Renaissance drawing course and ploughing on with a new large drawing in my studio. I had a life drawing in my sketchbook as a starting point and I worked it up on a piece of stretched Fabriano which had been prepared with rabbit skin glue and washes of thinnedContinue reading “Three Stages Of Man”

Distorting To Fit [parental guidance, male nude]

Last week I spent a couple of days doing some training in Renaissance drawing techniques but earlier in the week I finished this piece which had started out as a smaller drawing in my sketchbook. I was working within a specific size, which is my printing plate for monotypes because this will eventually become oneContinue reading “Distorting To Fit [parental guidance, male nude]”

Soaking, Stretching and Dead Bunnies.

I spent a few days soaking, stretching and preparing some sheets of paper, Fabriano and Somerset, coating them with several layers of rabbit skin glue [smelly] and then applying random washes of thinned acrylic paint in yellow ochre, permanent rose and pthalo blue respectively, making sure they were translucent enough to create randomised colour combinations.Continue reading “Soaking, Stretching and Dead Bunnies.”

The Disappearing Eyebrows!

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog that I thought Husb’s eyebrows might take over the universe. He was straight up the barber shop this morning for a haircut and a spot of eyebrow grooming. His eyebrows are now beautifully trimmed and don’t rest on top of his specs anymore. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence thoughContinue reading “The Disappearing Eyebrows!”