I made this little file folder for a friend who produces beautiful bird art. Some of these tiny feathers, collected over a number of years, have finally found their way into one of my projects.
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| Wallpaper lining, painted and printed with acrylics (approx. 4.5" x 4") ..... |
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| .... with four internal pockets |
I have started to over-think these postcard collages instead of quickly just grabbing what comes to hand - not necessarily a good idea.
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| Handprinted tissue, mulberry and cartridge paper, acrylic, gel pens and machine stitch (Hahnemeuhle watercolour postcard 6" x 4") |
Another small collage using one of my Hahnemuehle postcards.
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| Printed and painted tissue, book page, scanned sketch, gold gel pen, machine stitch (6" x 4") |
This is my second exploration of eco dyeing. This time I tried continus (smoke bush) leaves as they seem to be popular for this method. There are several of these bushes in the park near me so I didn't have to trek far for my raw materials. These leaves are very fresh and green at the moment, but turn to a bright scarlet in the autumn - will definitely have to try them again later in the year.
I used Hahnemeuhle 265 gsm mixed media bamboo paper this time, soaking it with water before laying on the leaves and a few bits of onion skin, so it would be easier to tightly roll round my piece of plastic pipe and securely tie with string. I also added a few rusty screws to the vinegar water and set it gently boil for just over an hour.
The cooked bundle was an alarming charcoal black when it came out of the water, but once dry there are some very subtle hints of pink, purple and blue/green, plus patches of orange from the onion skin.
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| The paler sample is from my first dyeing effort last month - this was on thinner drawing paper |
Since I finished my collage journal last month I have missed the playfulness of cutting, tearing and sticking random oddments of painted papers. I have a box of Hahnemuehle watercolour postcards which I have only used on a couple of occasions and the size of these appealed to me as a substrate for further paste and paper experiments. I also added machine stitching for more texture and interest.
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| 6" x 4" Hahnemeuhle watercolour postcards |
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| Ink, acrylic, paste paper, lino print, stencilled texture paste, gel pens and machine stitch |
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| Ink, acrylic, gesso, lino print, foam stamps, gel pens and machine stitch |
To recap, this journal was started in response to a 5 day challenge by collage artist Lydia Rink. A set of 5 instruction videos plus a materials list were provided, starting with how to make a simple A5 journal, and making your own collage papers, plus sourcing images and letter forms from magazines, posters, etc.
I have used some pre-printed images and text, but mainly utilised my own painted and hand-printed papers together with snippets from my sketchbooks. It took me a couple of pages to get into a way of working that suited me, but I enjoyed the process.
I have come to the end of my collage journal, although I am tempted to re-do the first couple of pages which are very uninspiring. However, I am glad I worked through that stage and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge - thanks to Lydia Rink for sharing her process.
Now I had better get on and start replenishing my files of painted and printed papers for future collage experiments.
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| Book pages, printed tissue and old sketches |
Another five pages to fill in this handmade sketchbook.
Another couple of collage pages completed.
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| Paste paper, printed papers and a scanned sketch |
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| The printed and stitched tissue paper background was done a while ago, I just added the lettering shapes and the lino printed face |
I mentioned earlier that I was following an online course by Lydia Rink. The first task was to construct a simple handmade journal for our collage work. Lydia uses text, letter shapes and found images - you can see some of her work here.
The first couple of exercises related mainly to shapes and composition and I must admit my initial attempts are not worth showing. However, I will persevere and hope to improve by the time my journal is complete.
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| Collage Journal cover (approx 6" x 8") |
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| Book pages and hand-printed tissue |
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| More printed tissue paper, scan of watercolour sketch and hand-cut lettering |
I am joining another 5 day challenge - Collage Up Your Journal being run by Lydia Rink. I believe she uses a lot of letters and numerals in her work and a fairly subtle palette. I spent a couple of hours printing and painting mulberry paper sheets using my lino cuts and foam stamps - all rather colourful, but they can always be toned down with further glazes if necessary.
I've finally got round to adding a little more detail to the sketchbook pages I shared at the end of December.
On the left I have used some wine cork stamps and on the righthand page I stencilled paint through a fine paper-cut image from an old birthday card. The latter didn't work particularly well, but there was enough information to bring out some detail with coloured pencil.
Not a lot happening with my sketchbook these last couple of weeks, but I have been raiding my files of old sketches and doodles to see if there's anything I can usefully include.
The two drawings I've glued onto this spread are quite some years old, both based on fashion magazine images - with a little bit of collage added to tie in with the background colours. This is not finished, but I am not sure yet what is needed.
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| Collage, acrylic paint, printed papers, coloured pencil sketches |
I'm a bit late with my online greetings this year, but here's my effort for 2020.
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| Soft cut block (approx. 4.5" x 4" |
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| Hahnemuhle bamboo paper background painted with fluid acrylics, plus shimmering blue acrylic, overprinted using white gesso. Additional details in gold, silver and blue gel pens. Paper bow and fabric ribbon. |
With various pre-Christmas tasks taking precedence, I have slipped behind with my sketchbook challenge. However, I did start work on another spread last night.
This began with a scrap of painted and printed paper stitched onto the righthand page, Inktense pencils and gel pens emphasising the flower forms. I decided to continue the spread with a floral-themed pattern using acrylic paint with lino, foam and cork stamps, followed up by some "demented doodling" using fine liner pens, acrylic ink and gel pens. I am not sure I will have the patience to complete the left-hand page with quite the same level of detail!
Another spread almost complete. Again, repurposed earlier work, with figures vaguely based on the type of traditional design used for playing cards.
For the background I used a purchased stencil, the Queen and the four symbols are lino prints, the King and the Knave are mono printed using oil-based ink (with some added pencil details). As my attempts at mono printing the Jester did not come out well, I used my Sharpie drawing instead, with colour pencil.
I have watched all the 8 videos in this course now, but I believe I can refer back to them indefinitely. I thoroughly enjoyed the tutorials and, although it is not my usual way of working, it's refreshing to try a different approach. There was a lot to take in and I am far from finishing my sketchbook, so I will take my time with it over the next few weeks.
This spread used collaged trial lino prints (with added pen patterning), foam and lino printed tissue, graphite rubbing and (just because it wasn't busy enough!) some text.
On this page I utilised oddments of foam and lino printed paper to create a still life collage.
Adding more to pages already started.
This spread utilises past sketches, scanned and enlarged to fit within the paint-scraped border. On the right I have used a fine liner pen to reinforce the inkjet print. Underneath the tracing paper insert on the left, I have collaged a piece of cover paper from my original handmade book to mimic the colour of the snakeshead fritillaries.
I have been slow in adding work to my blog this month. This has been partly because I have been taking a bit of a break after completing the daily Inktober challenge; in addition, I have been working on this year's Christmas card design which is not ready to be revealed yet.
I have also signed up for a short, online sketchbook challenge run by Laura Kemshall - eight videos throughout November (which can be followed at your own pace). The course is very reasonably priced at £12 - if you are interested, follow this link.
I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to use the beautiful sketchbook my friend Pat made. The first assignment was to "break the ice" and get rid of some of the blank pages by randomly adding some found papers, etc. - a couple of mine are shown below. Now to catch up with the second session.
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| Faux leather cover with embroidered insert - 9" x 6.5" (handmade by Pat Kitching) |
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| Tartan ribbon - machine stitched |
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| Paste paper collage and stitch |
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| Part of a lino print |
Another course being released later this month is by Este MacLeod - this will be free, but you need to sign up to her Newsletter (at the bottom on her home page) to receive details.
Happy sketching!
