abstract art

It’s been a long while…again…

Angela Porter2 Comments

The explanation…

It’s been a good couple of months since I last added an entry to my blog. It’s not that I haven’t tried to; it’s just that I’ve not been able to. Let me explain.

Since I had Covid back in October 2024, I’ve been experiencing chronic fatigue, a scattered and unfocused mind, and an inability to stay focused on a task for much time at all. Even as I type this, I’m losing my train of thought and have to pause often to try to work out what I was about to type or to find the words that just won’t come to the forefront of my mind.

I can spend 10 to 12 or more hours a day sleeping and still not feel refreshed. Taking part in everyday events or tasks is overwhelmingly tiring; not so much physically but mentally and emotionally.

Everything physiological has been ruled out. Covid coincided with me being prescribed a new medication. I’ve stopped that medication, with the blessing of my doctor, so to speak, to see if that was the cause of this fatigue. It’s not and I’m awaiting a review with the doctor soon. I think they mentioned a review to a post viral syndrome clinic or long covid clinic.

I can get really frustrated. Even my art isn’t as prolific as before. Though I get lost in it quite easily, I can’t do much more than 30 mins to 45 mins in a stint, if I’m lucky. Even now, I’ve spent less than an hour scanning in a couple of drawings, creating the images for social media, and getting this far in my blog and I could just fall asleep again. Not even perimenopause/menopause has been this bad…

So, this is the state of my health currently, fine and good apart from this pesky fatigue.

Arty stuff

I have been drawing, but not as much as I usually would have been doing. The two images above are just two that I have completed in the last couple of months or so.

The one on the right resulted in some enquires about buying it. However something weird was going on with the contacts and nothing ever came of it. But, when I’m up to focusing on what I need to do, I will be posting some artwork either on Ko-Fi or Etsy for sale. I wish I could say when, but …

So, I’m still creating, as the fatigue allows.

And so…

…it’s time for me to end this post and go and rest again – I feel so tired and sleepy and unfocussed once again.

All I can say is thank you for bearing with me. I’ll share when I’m able to, but I don’t think there’ll be any YouTube videos for a while as they are just too much for me to accomplish at this time. Hopefully, recovery is occuring, albeit slowly. Only time will tell, that’s for sure.

It’s been a while…again…sigh.

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It’s been a heck of a year, this 2024. Between anaemia, fatigue and brain fog exacerbated by COVID followed by tonsillitis in the last couple of months and other things going on, it’s been tough to focus long enough to post anything much to social media.

I haven’t done as many colour templates as I usually would in a year for the Angela Porter’s Colouring Book Fans facebook group.However, I’ve managed to get three done in the past couple of weeks and I’ve just uploaded them to the group. You can see the templates at the top of this post.

I’ll also be making them available for free on my Ko-Fi store. In both instances, terms and conditions for use do apply.

It’s soothing for me to draw and create, but so hard to put words onto a page, or into a YouTube video. I have, however, done a few Draw With Me live streams, which are easier for me to do than record, edit, upload and so on – less brain power needed.

I’ve also learned a lot about my art in the past year. Understanding what is an expression of myself, including in some ‘styles’, and accepting this has been a significant step forward for me. There’s more, but I’ll blog about it another time. The fog is closing in, and I have more to do today…

I know I’ll get better. I’m taking B12 and iron if it’s anaemia. If the fatigue is due to long COVID and/or perimenopause, things will also improve in time. I just have to learn to pace myself and not overdo things on a day when I have lots of energy (or when I’m masking my tiredness to interact with others). This is most definitely a work in progress.

Also, I’ve realised that I must draw designs/sketches before inking in digitally. My mind just can’t adapt to drawing entirely digitally. On paper, I quickly have an overview of the whole design and how it will appear to others’ eyes, too. I don’t get that sense digitally. So, I think that tradigital is a way for me to work – traditional pen drawing with digital colouring.

There is one exception to this, however. That is the drawing of geometric designs such as tiles and mandalas. I seem to be able to do them so much more easily digitally as I can concentrate on the lines and shapes I’m drawing rather than focusing on the maths and measurements.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been getting used to my XPPen Magic Drawing Pad for drawing mandalas and adding colour. I’ve found that I like Sketchbook and ClipStudio Paint for designing and adding colour.

I really had hoped that the Magic Drawing Pad (an Android tablet that has a paper-like screen and the ability to draw smoothly accurately and with large artwork) would make it possible for me to use it instead of a paper sketchbook. I’ve tried so hard, but my brain just won’t adjust. C’est la vie!

Twiddly Art…

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The Art

Shells, spirals, foliage and arcs. Things that make me smile!

This drawing was a departure from my recent, more whimsical work—a much-needed change. Indeed, change is as good as a rest. Not just a rest, but the change brings a different kind of energy to my drawing and to myself.

I’ve found it very difficult to settle to do art for more than half an hour or so for a few days. I’ve felt a bit ‘bored’ with the whimsical things. Perhaps jaded is a better description. I’d become frustrated with watercolours, with colours, with my hand lettering.

So, it’s time to take that break from the whimsy and spend some time with pen and paper and some abstract twiddles.

One thing I’ve taken from the whimsical drawings is the use of 01 and 005 fineliner pens to draw with. These are much finer than I’d usually work with. However, they were a delight to use! I like the more delicate lines that result.

I’ve not quite finished this drawing, however. I’ve decided to add some crosshatching to the background. Not solid black, but very fine crosshatching. It’s going to take a while to finish that though.

My Mood

I’m out of sorts today. In fact, I have been for a few days. I’ve been sleeping a lot more than usual. I think I know what’s the matter, and it’s something only I can do something about, even though I don’t know how to do anything about it…yet.

The change in art style, a return to something that is kind of familiar yet a little different, is comforting and a solace for me. It’s like visiting with old friends. It’s giving me a break from the whimsical work that has pushed me towards discomfort with it. So, it’s time to rest in some comfort. As I do so, I will gather my wits and strength to continue the exploration of whimsical people when I’m good and ready to do so.

There is nothing wrong in retreating from discomfort, unease, and that which results in becoming jaded and ‘bored’. In fact, it is essential to find the pleasure once again, to delight in a familiar style of art and remind myself how I need to feel with any creative endeavours.

The areas of discomfort allow progress and new things to be learned. However, it’s a fine line between discomfort being a positive thing, and discomfort becoming a ‘boredom’ that is a sign that the discomfort and dissatisfaction with the work being produced is just too much and counterproductive.

I’ve worked that out, kind of. All I need to do is remember this lesson in the future. That may be difficult, as I tend to focus so much on something new that I find it hard to set it aside for a while. The hyperfocus can be strong! However, I will return to the whimsical art, when I’m ready to. When I’ve refreshed my creative soul and my mood lifts too.

It’s good that I have art styles to fall back on that always bring my contentment and relaxation. Remembering this is the hard part!

And Another …. Pen Drawing and Witter!

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YouTube Video showing the creation of this drawing.

This afternoon was sunny and gusty-breezy. The shiny leaves on some rose bushes sparkled and shimmered as the wind danced with them. The wind was noisy as it blew the branches and whistled past buildings, yet the sound was soothing. The energy of the wind and sun uplifted my spirits, and I felt it was time to do an impromptu YouTube livestream.

I knew I wanted to do something similar to my previous video—a pen drawing, graphite shading, and a watercolour background in the ‘white spaces’. So, I did that, and I shared my thoughts and joy with those who found their way to the livestream.

I can’t remember what I wittered about during the 2 hour or so livestream, but I know it mentioned finding joy in small things, a childlike wonder of the world and life, taking breaks from the pressures and responsibilities of adulting wherever possible.

One thing I can say is that even in the darkest times of my life, I’ve always been able to find joy and wonder in nature, books, films and more. It may only give me a sparkle of light for a moment, but that sparkle is a reminder that it will fully return and hasn’t gone anywhere – it’s merely clouded by the dark and low mood that gathers around my heart and mind.

If anything, the darkness allows me to enjoy the sparkles more; they are more vibrant when surrounded by gloom. It would be hard to recognise the sparkles and joy if all was bright. Contrast is needed.

Perhaps that’s why I love using high contrast in my art. In today’s drawing, the darkness of the watercolour background really lets the pen drawing almost glow. The texture in the watercolour reminds me of the subtle patterns seen in glowering clouds or the ripples in a darkling sea. Either description works for the constantly shifting and changing emotions and thoughts; not all are gloomy, as the lighter areas show.

The birds in the left-hand column were a surprise! I certainly didn’t plan that. In fact, I didn’t plan any of this drawing. I just let it grow, one line at a time. Sometimes, a line, or combination of lines, suggests a recognisable motif, and I go with that.

Working intuitively always surprises me; though I may make some decisions along the way, they are instinctive. Speaking out what I’m doing just expresses in words what my hand/eye want to do next.

Turquoise is definitely the colour of the moment with me. This time, however, I added rich indigo to it to intensify the colour and depth of shadow. I let the watercolours play with each other as they will, just allowing the end result to be what it will be.

It’s not easy for me to let go of control in this way, but watercolour is showing me that it is possible. And when I let go, the results are always a wondrous surprise!

Circle Motif Variations

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I spent some lovely, peaceful time today recording a video showing how I work to create variations on a theme.This theme is motifs based around circles and how I go from simple to more complex, possibly over complex.

You are welcome to come and #drawwithme as the #YouTube video is published at 19:30 UK time today, 4 April 2024 – https://youtu.be/tCHrlWi

A texture pattern sampler

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This is my latest work, though I may add some metallics to it. May…

It strikes me that it’s a sampler of sorts, of texture patterns. Many of these are inspired by the work of Rebecca Blair.

I’m not sure if the end result is “me”. But it’s been a lovely way to spend over 20 hours over the past few days.

It’s been something that I’ve been able to do in bite-sized pieces, which has been helpful as I’m still experiencing fatigue due to burnout, anaemia and menopause.

The artwork is on an A4 sheet of Fabriano mixed media paper.

The pens used were 0.5 and 0.1 Uniball Unipin fineliners, and a white Uniball Signo gel pen.

Colour was added using Karin Brushmarker Pro pens and a fine Kuretake Zig water brush.

Intricate Intuitive Art | 24 Feb 2024

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These three works show my love of intricate, intuitive, flowing art. I continue to explore the use of colour to work on gaining more confidence in using it. I can appreciate how colour brings the drawing to life and sets the mood, too. I find using a fairly limited palette really helps me appreciate this.

I’ve worked on these over two or three weeks, give or take. It’s been a slow process as I’m recovering from a period of burnout from too much adulting and peopling. None are finished yet as I still have to indulge my love of pattern/texture to create more volume in the designs. Also, dots of gold acrylic paint have been added for that little bit of glitz and glimmer – something that makes my raven mind happy!

An Entangled Drawing 3 Feb ’24

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YouTube video is published at 19:00 UK Time today, 3 Feb 2024

It’s been a few weeks full of adulting, leaving me drained of energy. Dealing with fraudulent use of my PayPal account lasted a week, and I still have a couple of things to sort out that I’ve not been up to doing. Thankfully, it was all mostly sorted, my account is as secure as possible, so phew!

I’ve also had a lot of ‘people-ing’ (for me) to do, which has been lovely but has also left me drained.

I have had enough sense to take time for myself to sleep, rest, and do things that relax and soothe me. The last thing I’d want to happen is another burnout like I had last year at almost this exact time. I seem to have mostly avoided that this time. Seems that I’m finally learning to take care of my energy/stress levels.

I have done some art, some that are landmark pieces for me. I will scan and share them over the coming days/weeks. These works have taken a week or more of work to do, an unusually long time for me. But it was worth it.

The drawing above I did earlier today for a YouTube video. It was lovely to do. A small drawing. Detailed. Intricate. Diamine Oxblood ink and a Tom’s Studio Lumos duo refillable fineliner pen – I used 05 and 02 nibs.

I have to say that the Lumos pen was a delight to use! The weight of the barrel actually stopped me from pressing so hard with the nib; there’s some kind of counterbalance effect going on, methinks.

I may just have to invest in another of the Lumos pens (the duo version again). That way, I can have a range of nib sizes in just two beautifully made pens.

Although pricey at £99 (including P&P), I expect to save money on buying Sakura Micron or Uniball Unipin disposable fine-liner pens. That has to be a good thing.

The pen comes with 9 different nibs. It’s unlikely I’ll use all of them, though you never know! But I know I can order more nibs and new ink reservoirs as needed.

Oh, and the ink reservoirs are easy to fill; when you want to change to a new ink colour, you just wash them out with water.

Only water-based dye inks with no glittery bits in them are recommended. Though Rohrer and Klinger SketchINK was mentioned in the information that came as working well in the pens. I believe SketchINK is waterproof. It is after it’s thoroughly dried – I just checked! So that is something I may consider experimenting with, especially as it comes in a range of lovely colours!

William Blake Quote and some Entangled Art.

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This drawing has taken a bit of an unexpected turn, to say the least.

Two black ink-filled Parker Jotter XL fountain pens, one with an M nib and the other with an F, were used to draw the structure of this drawing and add some patterns and textures.

I then decided to use some Zebra Sarasa gel pens with vintage colours to add more patterns and textures. All was fine, but it all looked flat and not finished in any way.

So, I added some flat colours with softly coloured alcohol markers. This improved things a little, but it wasn’t quite right. The drawing was missing contrast and dimension.

A deep breath was taken as I broke out a graphite pencil and tortillon and set to adding shade to the design. And that really did help, much to my surprise. Even more surprising was I actually preferred this way of adding shade to using alcohol markers, and it was easy to remove any overspill of shading with an eraser!

Next, I added some layers of the colours I’d already used to intensify the colour in some areas. I also added some more darkness with pen textures.

Finally, I was happy-ish with what had been created on the paper, so much so that I felt it was finished!

Yes, that’s right, I’m happy-ish with this! Using less saturated alcohol markers to add colour also works for me, especially the more muted, vintage and less bright and garish.

What works for me is seeing the drawing scanned in, as scanning seems to improve how I view the graphite shading.

So, is this an onward process for me? Yes, I think so. I think the graphite shading needs to be added last. Also, I think the use of Pitt Graphite Matt pencils will improve how I view the use of graphite in this way. Maybe coloured fineliners would work better for me than the gel pens. Things to consider (and make a note of too!)

Intuitive Art – Part 4

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This is a drawing I started three weeks ago for a series of YouTube videos. Today’s video is part 4 of the series.

I finished the basic drawing in part 3. It’s all about colour and contrast now before I add the final detailed textures/patterns.

To add colour and contrast, I used Chameleon markers.

Adding colour/shade is always a nervous time for me. Surprisingly, I’m not really confident with colour. I prefer to work with a limited palette of monochrome or analogous colours, maybe with a sprinkling of a complementary colour here and there.

That’s the case unless it’s one of my Doodleworlds, whimsical, colouring book page designs. Then the more colours, the better! But, for this kind of entangled art, I prefer a more limited and elegant colour palette.

I always seem to use grey undertones for the shadows. I think I may have to try complementary colours to see how they work to add shadows.

My Chameleon markers have been rather neglected for a long while. However, I remembered I had them last week, and in using them in limited palettes, I’ve found them pleasurable to use, more so than all the other marker brands I have and have tried. Also, I’ve not been tempted to return to watercolours, Inktense, watercolour markers, pencils or pastels all the time I’ve used them. That has surprised me!