Here’s today’s drawing, design, artwork; yesterday’s ‘just colour’ design.
I did try a small design using coloured pens to add lines, but it just doesn’t feel or look right.
I’m happy with this one, like I was with the one yesterday.
These last couple of artworks have been a bit of a change in the way I usually work. Perhaps more of quite a change.
Usually, I start by drawing my design and then adding colour. Over the past couple of days I’ve been drawing the basic shapes/design with colour from a brush, starting with the broad structure of the design. Then, I add the architecture of the design in pen.
The laying down of colour first means there is, for me, not a lot of control over the gradation of colour/tome and the precise shapes. Using watercolours means that colours can bleed from one shape into another if I forget to move to another area and let each shape dry before adding another next to it.
The resultant colour design, the variations as mentioned, is then the basis for my drawing. I work with the shapes as they are, trying not to be overly concerned if my pen lines done precisely match the edge of each shape. I try to work with the variations in colour/saturation/tone as I add the patterns.
I have tried doing something like this digitally, but so far haven’t been all that happy with the results. I will keep trying though. I know eventually I’ll work out how this will work for me.
It’s a nice way to spend a Sunday, no matter what I do precisely.
Angela Porter 