The aim of this exercise wasn’t so much about creating nice backgrounds like how to do a beautiful sunset but painting fantastical or imaginary settings. I guess, this was a way of getting myself out of using watercolours in a more traditional or assumed manner. So much of my use has been on location where... Continue Reading →
Creative Plan – Watercolour Paints
This exercise was focussing on using watercolours in an expressive way. What immediately comes to mind when hearing the word “expressive” and “painting” is using bright, fluorescent-like colours or splattering and throwing paint in a very random, uninhibited manner. I’m not the biggest fan of splashing paint around, particularly if there is no intent to... Continue Reading →
The Creative Plan – Watercolour Pencils Day 1
Prior to starting this project I had to check if I actually had any watercolour pencils to use. There were a few random Albrecht Durer pencils and the remnants of my Staedtler Karan Aquarelles set which was bought used when I was a graphic design student back in the ‘90s. They didn’t get much of... Continue Reading →
The Creative Plan – Day 1 Colour Pencils
I don’t recall ever buying a colour pencil set, they were always birthday or Christmas presents, so I’ve had my collection since I was ten! I never liked colouring-in as a child – too many memories struggling to get colour to adhere to crappy colouring-in books printed on newspaper print. Testing Before I set off... Continue Reading →
The Creative Plan – Day 5 Liquid Pencils
Macquarie Place Park It was a morning out in the city with Urban Sketchers Sydney then I continued on into the afternoon with a few sketching friends. I wanted to use the liquid pencils at least once today so pulled out the Permanent paints and a short-haired brush. The colours and the soft grainy tints... Continue Reading →
The Creative Plan – Day 3 Liquid Pencils
With Rewettable Paints “Fire & Ice” After transferring the lettering I created earlier to watercolour paper, I wetted the surface to allow the paints to spread and blend. I’m not sure if it was a good quality paper as it showed a bit of “bubbling” with the amount of water I applied. If I was... Continue Reading →
The Creative Plan – Day 2 Graphite Pencil
I chose a mug because of its cylindrical shape, its always harder than something with a straighter edge. Also, I think I’m not alone when I say the the mouth of any cup, glass or bowl can be really tricky not only in getting the shape and angle right, but where the highlights and shadows begin... Continue Reading →
Bon voyage
I made a significant lifestyle change last month where I ended full-time employment and went part-time. Although it was only a two-three year stint (a temporary situation after a stretch of freelancing), minimising my working days to just three days a week will be a new circumstance for me. My whole working life has been... Continue Reading →