Moving away from the cutlery theme for my sketchbook work I toured the house looking for inspiration and finally chose this Royal Crown Derby Little Owl paperweight, one of a collection Mr T has bought me over many years. I love the rich colours and the shapes in the decoration so I thought I would use this as a theme for a series of pages.
After a couple of quick sketches and looking at the owl in detail - probably closer than I have looked before, even though I have owned him for many years - I chose this particular feather pattern as the basis of my design. There is something reminiscent of '30s patterned paper about it.
My first project using 'magic expanding sponge' was to make a negative and positive print. I used the feather shape and mixed up some acrylic paint to reflect the gold, Imari red and cobalt blue.
This is the page so far with some colour wash - not sure where I will take it next, or just leave it as a pattern.
Meanwhile I have cut a small 'lino' print of a double feather. Below are a proof print and a couple of rubbings taken from the block. The one on the right is gold oil pastel rubbing on brown paper with a colour wash which I am particularly pleased with.
Hopefully this little motif has a bit of mileage in it and I am already twitching to get out the needle felt.
And for all of you kind souls who asked about Marvin here he is...
"Look Ma! No dribbling"
Although I have to say his fur has looked better.
We had snow this morning, although it has all melted, it is now beginning to freeze hard. Hope you are all keeping cosy and have a a good week.
Jill
12 comments:
I love the lino print motif especially. Glad Marvin's enjoying relaxing and chilling out - hope you all keep warm!
what beautiful art you created from this amazing owl.
Glad your kitty is feeling better,
Fabulous lino print. I'm afraid after a little flourish my sketchbook has been put aside again.
You're so right about having things for years but not LOOKING at them 'properly'. I wouldn't have picked out the detail on that gorgeous little owl's feathers, being totally 'wow'ed by the gold and wonderful stylised shape of the bird.
The feather design you've developed is lovely and I REALLY like the lino print. Great stuff.
ps Marvin is v handsome, x
How fantastic to take inspiration from a treasured possession ... those little RCD figures are beautiful. Perhaps we should all take a closer look at home .... Marvin looks quite chilled there .... have a lovely Christmas x
close is good. Love all the feathers, 'specially the oil stick rubbing.
Happy Christmas to you & yours, may it be warmer x
I love the fact that you've picked up something you've had for ages and found something new in it to see Jill. The linocut works really well and is absolutely like a fabric or wallpaper pattern from the 1930's. As soon as I saw it I thought of Barron and Larcher and their block prints. If you google them you'll see what I mean. How about using the linocut to actually print on some fabric and then use it as a basis for stitch. After all,wasn't it you who said 'Just drop the feed dogs and go?'......
More lovely pages for us to see, thankyou. You remind us that inspiration is all around us, look forward to seeing the textile results!
nice, i like the print on the brown paper also.
Such a beautiful little lino cut.....
I shall have to clean under my feed dogs before they can go....... but I fully intend to once the silly season has been and gone!
One of the great things about drawing is that it forces us to observe and appreciate the details and beauty of things we pass by every day. I really like the patterns you created.
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