FYJ Week 5 - Day 3

I had to think about this one, process the information, listen to the first Q&A, and then I decided I wanted to combine various elements I have enjoyed in the last few weeks, week 2 and week 4 in particular. So here is the one with a limited palette (Mayan Yellow, Quin Gold, Carmine Red and Phthalo Blue red shade). I knew I would get some deep darks with phthalo blue, and that the Sennelier Carmine red is super strong. I wanted two yellows for a bit more variety. I also used yellow and blue Dermatograph pencils (they're essentially a resist). That's more or less it. 

I definitely want to explore more of this after the course is finished. I don't have more time this week to pursue it further, but will make notes in my studio book. Squiggles, strong splashing, and lifting with a plastic card are three types of marks that feel very me, and yet, I would have avoided them in the past in my watercolours, as I felt that they were not "painterly" enough. Whose voice is that talking??  

Close-ups

That feeling of otherness

Sometimes I get into a funk. I feel different from people around me, I listen to them, they don't seem to even hear me. Then I just shut down. My sketch is a mess. And I leave, feeling defeated.  Even within my tribe, some feel like family, some don't. That's life. That's ok.

FYJ Week 5 - Day 2

Representational - crazy version with a lot of abstract marks and colours. Too much for me, and the colours ended up feeling too weak for my liking. I like strong colours.

FYJ Week 5 - Day 1

It's always interesting when you know something intellectually and it still surprises you when you do it in practise. In this case, chaos with lots of colours versus chaos in a limited palette.  Contrast and Harmony.

Colour pencil party

Great fun sketching sketchers and playing with colour pencils and Neocolor. Love my tribe!

 

Ranelagh - A journey through urban sketching

We have started our journey through Ranelagh. For our first outing, the idea was to sketch between Ranelagh Gardens and the Triangle. Most people don't read instructions. I know that. But I do. So here you are.

First sketch at the Triangle, where the profile of the roofs where the Spar and the adjoining shops are hasn't changed in a long time. The advertising on the wall was a recurring video. I chose Aer Lingus's advertising of their direct Las Vegas flights. Some person thought it was a good idea to throw a slice of pizza on the ground. The pigeons descended. Surprisingly, it was still there when I left. It must have been pretty bad.

Second location, at the end of Ranelagh Gardens, Chelmsford Close, is it? Beautiful terrace of houses, but pretty tight car parking. Wouldn't like to have to park there every day!

Third location. I got so cold that I had to seek shelter in a café. It was one of those grey, dampish days where you feel the cold through your bones. I went to Urban Health. Lovely matcha latte. Maya was sitting at the window and I joined her. We sketched these 3 men chatting outside the gym nutrition shop. They were gone before we were finished, but thankfully, we had each other's sketch to complete the trio. Then I couldn't resist the coffee machine and other café bits and pieces.

Haven't decided if I will add colour to the last three sketches. I certainly need to connect them all better. I think we're going back there next week, so that might be a good opportunity!

FYJ Week 4 - Diary Painting

I have recovered well from destroying my first diary painting. This second one is building up nicely. I really like the textures and layering, and the luminous quality in some areas. It doesn't look like anything. It's not supposed to, apparently.  I'm really enjoying the areas where I have printed with the brush, and also my joy of this week is the Pilot Iroshizuku ink in the Ina-ho colour. I have just seen something online that implies that ink is no longer made. Thankfully I have a large bottle. But I'm off now to have a look at the alternatives!! It's one of my favourite ink colours! I will put links to alternatives at the bottom of this post, just for my own reference!

 Detail

Earlier this week

Alternatives to Ina-Ho

https://fountainpenpharmacist.com/blog/ink-review-687-ferris-wheel-press-goose-poupon

https://www.birminghampens.com/products/stormwater-runoff?srsltid=AfmBOopUhDNvGZDuQTsI8EWAPUhylQLAdc1e3hqWCC36n9HqAbVuWgyw

https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/zksjap/do_we_have_a_comprehensive_list_of_inaho/