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Tuesday, 27 October 2009
absence +1
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Inspiration, art talk and randomness +6
Here's some photos I found while browsing a Live Journal inspiration group, no idea what magazine they belong to unfortunately so I can't credit it. If you know who took these photos let me know and I'll link to their/your site.
I love circus themed fashion photographs, if you know where I might find some more, please let me know.
These two look like they should be from a movie, love the headgear.
This one is the painting my boyfriend bought me at Christmas '07, he bought it from Etsy (can't remember the seller/artists name though, but if you search "Ghost World" on there they might still be selling these prints)
This is my favourite image of Enid from the movie Ghost World.
False eyelashes make me happy.
(if only I could figure out how to put them on correctly!)
(if only I could figure out how to put them on correctly!)
I love circus themed fashion photographs, if you know where I might find some more, please let me know.
These two look like they should be from a movie, love the headgear.
This one is the painting my boyfriend bought me at Christmas '07, he bought it from Etsy (can't remember the seller/artists name though, but if you search "Ghost World" on there they might still be selling these prints)This is my favourite image of Enid from the movie Ghost World.
I just wanted to do a quick blog post about what I'd like to be doing with my art (when I get the motivation to start anything) soon.
Sometime this week I'd like to start doing large mixed media paintings again, whether they are of Ofelia or fairground/carousel images I don't know, because lord knows I have enough paint and canvas lying around. I guess it's just going to be hard getting back into the swing of things after such a long break. I'm not really good at planning paintings, I work straight from one drawing and don't do any development work. I also finish my paintings in a couple of hours, I mean I guess there is no right or wrong time to spend doing a painting but I have a feeling I am rushing them. Perhaps I need to go back and work like I did in school, making thumbnail drawings and development work. These are all things I have no patience for at the moment though, so maybe for now I'll stick to my own way of working. Yes, new paintings coming by the end of the week.
Another thing I'd like to start again is printmaking, its been a number of months since I actually done any lino printing and I'm not sure why as I always love how they turn out. I bought some tubs of ink awhile back and they haven't even been opened. I also have still to try out some of my older lino prints in different colour combinations, since I bought turquoise ink and have fallen in love with it. I'll maybe leave that for awhile and start with the paintings, as I have a few other things I'd like to be doing.
I have so many sets of pens that I hardly use and I want to start doing drawings, one set of pens per drawing (maybe two, we'll see). I'm hoping in the next couple of months I'll have finished testing them all out and can perhaps cut down on the collection (I really am running out of room to keep them all).
I found out last night that there is a Muji store in London! Sadly that's too far away from me to visit, but if I ever do go back to London I'd definitely give it a visit.
On Sunday I went to the local Tescos and spent some time browsing their pen section. I ended up buying 4 packs of pens and among them was a Tescos fountain pen which I bought for 86p. It's been a long time since I used one of these and I was rather surprised at how well the ink flowed and didn't make a mess of my paper like they tended to do when I last used them. And all this from a Tescos pen! Now I'm keen to try out some more fountain pens, but for now I'll stick to those I already have.
So what projects are you all working on at the moment? Do you have things you wish you were doing but have been putting off?
Sometime this week I'd like to start doing large mixed media paintings again, whether they are of Ofelia or fairground/carousel images I don't know, because lord knows I have enough paint and canvas lying around. I guess it's just going to be hard getting back into the swing of things after such a long break. I'm not really good at planning paintings, I work straight from one drawing and don't do any development work. I also finish my paintings in a couple of hours, I mean I guess there is no right or wrong time to spend doing a painting but I have a feeling I am rushing them. Perhaps I need to go back and work like I did in school, making thumbnail drawings and development work. These are all things I have no patience for at the moment though, so maybe for now I'll stick to my own way of working. Yes, new paintings coming by the end of the week.
Another thing I'd like to start again is printmaking, its been a number of months since I actually done any lino printing and I'm not sure why as I always love how they turn out. I bought some tubs of ink awhile back and they haven't even been opened. I also have still to try out some of my older lino prints in different colour combinations, since I bought turquoise ink and have fallen in love with it. I'll maybe leave that for awhile and start with the paintings, as I have a few other things I'd like to be doing.
I have so many sets of pens that I hardly use and I want to start doing drawings, one set of pens per drawing (maybe two, we'll see). I'm hoping in the next couple of months I'll have finished testing them all out and can perhaps cut down on the collection (I really am running out of room to keep them all).
I found out last night that there is a Muji store in London! Sadly that's too far away from me to visit, but if I ever do go back to London I'd definitely give it a visit.
On Sunday I went to the local Tescos and spent some time browsing their pen section. I ended up buying 4 packs of pens and among them was a Tescos fountain pen which I bought for 86p. It's been a long time since I used one of these and I was rather surprised at how well the ink flowed and didn't make a mess of my paper like they tended to do when I last used them. And all this from a Tescos pen! Now I'm keen to try out some more fountain pens, but for now I'll stick to those I already have.
So what projects are you all working on at the moment? Do you have things you wish you were doing but have been putting off?
Create!
<3
<3
Monday, 28 September 2009
Pens, pens, wonderful pens....
I apologise in advance if this is a boring read for some of my regulars but I feel the need to talk about pens because I'm obsessing over them at the moment. So I thought I'd do a little post about some of my favourite pens at the moment.
Pentel Slicci 0.25 - I've owned some of these pens for quite a few months but never really made good use of them until recently.
I use the black 0.25 for writing and I just love how it looks. The line is beautifully thin and not harsh black (which normally I'd prefer)
The reason I like this pen so much is that the flow is consistent, I've not yet had a problem with the ink.
I just love looking at pages and pages of writing done in this pen. Personally I think it looks best on unlined paper but that may just be because of how my handwriting looks.
Not yet tested these pens for drawing but I think the fact that I like alot of flat colour may put me off using them often for anything but writing. Love these pens!
Sakura Permapaque Paint Marker - A couple of months ago I bought a set of 12 of these pens with the broad tips and have since used them in most of my journal pages and drawings. Usually I'm not a fan of the broader tipped markers but as these are duel tipped I have the choice. I find them great for doing perfectly flat colour, which I haven't found with any other paint marker I've tried.
I have to say the pink is my favourite of the 12 pens, its not your usual bright pink, but rather a powder pink (but not quite "baby" pink).
The only problems I have come across with these pens is that when I use them in my journal the paper tends to gather in little bits all over the nibs, although it doesn't seem to affect the page at all. The other problem is that they seem to dry up when covering large areas, which takes alot of effort to get rid of the streaky look.
But problems aside, I still love these pens and have since went and bought the fine tipped set (should be here any day, I'll let you know how I get on with those).
Muji gel stick pen 0.38 - Muji pens are truely beautifully designed, I love the frosted effect of the outer pen and the simple label.
I've tried these pens out for both writing and drawing, finding that I prefer to use them for outline drawing because the ink doesnt seem to be consistent enough to write with. But I love the 0.38 line for when I want to do an understated outline for a drawing and it's even great for doing crosshatching.
I was very pleased to hear that the Muji Retractable gel pens have a more consistent flow, the only think putting me off buying them is the design of the pen, which is not as simplistic as the stick pen.
Also the pink gel pen doesnt seem consistent at all, I've had alot of trouble getting ink out of it but this could be just a dud and not something that happens with every set.
Great pens and I can't wait to get my hands on some more Muji stationery.
Check back in a couple of days and I'll have some more of my thoughts on pens.
Pentel Slicci 0.25 - I've owned some of these pens for quite a few months but never really made good use of them until recently.
I use the black 0.25 for writing and I just love how it looks. The line is beautifully thin and not harsh black (which normally I'd prefer)
The reason I like this pen so much is that the flow is consistent, I've not yet had a problem with the ink.
I just love looking at pages and pages of writing done in this pen. Personally I think it looks best on unlined paper but that may just be because of how my handwriting looks.
Not yet tested these pens for drawing but I think the fact that I like alot of flat colour may put me off using them often for anything but writing. Love these pens!
Sakura Permapaque Paint Marker - A couple of months ago I bought a set of 12 of these pens with the broad tips and have since used them in most of my journal pages and drawings. Usually I'm not a fan of the broader tipped markers but as these are duel tipped I have the choice. I find them great for doing perfectly flat colour, which I haven't found with any other paint marker I've tried.
I have to say the pink is my favourite of the 12 pens, its not your usual bright pink, but rather a powder pink (but not quite "baby" pink).
The only problems I have come across with these pens is that when I use them in my journal the paper tends to gather in little bits all over the nibs, although it doesn't seem to affect the page at all. The other problem is that they seem to dry up when covering large areas, which takes alot of effort to get rid of the streaky look.
But problems aside, I still love these pens and have since went and bought the fine tipped set (should be here any day, I'll let you know how I get on with those).
Muji gel stick pen 0.38 - Muji pens are truely beautifully designed, I love the frosted effect of the outer pen and the simple label.
I've tried these pens out for both writing and drawing, finding that I prefer to use them for outline drawing because the ink doesnt seem to be consistent enough to write with. But I love the 0.38 line for when I want to do an understated outline for a drawing and it's even great for doing crosshatching.
I was very pleased to hear that the Muji Retractable gel pens have a more consistent flow, the only think putting me off buying them is the design of the pen, which is not as simplistic as the stick pen.
Also the pink gel pen doesnt seem consistent at all, I've had alot of trouble getting ink out of it but this could be just a dud and not something that happens with every set.
Great pens and I can't wait to get my hands on some more Muji stationery.
Check back in a couple of days and I'll have some more of my thoughts on pens.
<3
Thursday, 24 September 2009
the answer to it all o.0
As promised, here is my answers to the questions I asked. I've only had one person answer them so if any of you out there have a few minutes I'd appreciate some responses.
1. how long have you considered yourself an artist? do you consider yourself an artist, or is it merely a hobby?
This was something I struggled with for years, I felt I was just dabbling in things and didn't have any direction. Then in January I started doing large mixed media paintings of Ofelia, I must have done around 13 of them in a month. Since then I've really felt able to call myself an artist and even once or twice have filled in the "Occupation" section on forms with "artist". Of course I still go through periods where I don't feel like an artist, usually during dry spells where I just can't create anything. So yes, I feel like I can call myself an artist now.
2. what inspires you to do your art?
I'm inspired by emotions and how they affect people. Art has the ability to bring people together and likewise with emotions, they help people relate and identify with each other.
3. do you have a favourite theme you like to use in your art?
I think all of my art expresses different emotions and those relating to mental health issues. I'm just now expanding into other images that can express these emotions.
4. do you feel you have found your style? or are you still experimenting in many styles?
I love illustration, wether its just a pen drawing or a mixed media piece. But then I also dearly love lino printing and I think the illustration still plays a huge part in most of my lino prints.
5. does your art have a specific purpose (ex. to education people)? or is it for yourself?
I'd love to use my art to educate people, but at the moment I'm using it as a healing tool and just trying to get out all these emotions and thoughts that I've been carrying around for years. I would love to be an art therapist one day, for me art is all about healing.
6. do you have a studio space? or do you work in your kitchen, living room, etc? where's your favourite place for doing your art?
I do have a desk in my bedroom that I intended to use as my mini studio, but sadly it gets used very rarely and is at the moment piled with junk and supplies. It's in the living room I feel most comfortable doing my art, mostly just using the arm of the couch to balance my sketchbook/canvas/etc. But I would one day like to have a studio, doesn't have to be too fancy or anything special, just a room for art and nothing else.
7. whats your favourite media? why is it your favourite?
Now this one I might struggle to answer. I have been buying alot of pens lately, so I've been mostly using them for my art. I just love the variety with pens, one pen for outline, another for shading... all with different finishes, spoiled for choice really.
1. how long have you considered yourself an artist? do you consider yourself an artist, or is it merely a hobby?
This was something I struggled with for years, I felt I was just dabbling in things and didn't have any direction. Then in January I started doing large mixed media paintings of Ofelia, I must have done around 13 of them in a month. Since then I've really felt able to call myself an artist and even once or twice have filled in the "Occupation" section on forms with "artist". Of course I still go through periods where I don't feel like an artist, usually during dry spells where I just can't create anything. So yes, I feel like I can call myself an artist now.
2. what inspires you to do your art?
I'm inspired by emotions and how they affect people. Art has the ability to bring people together and likewise with emotions, they help people relate and identify with each other.
3. do you have a favourite theme you like to use in your art?
I think all of my art expresses different emotions and those relating to mental health issues. I'm just now expanding into other images that can express these emotions.
4. do you feel you have found your style? or are you still experimenting in many styles?
I love illustration, wether its just a pen drawing or a mixed media piece. But then I also dearly love lino printing and I think the illustration still plays a huge part in most of my lino prints.
5. does your art have a specific purpose (ex. to education people)? or is it for yourself?
I'd love to use my art to educate people, but at the moment I'm using it as a healing tool and just trying to get out all these emotions and thoughts that I've been carrying around for years. I would love to be an art therapist one day, for me art is all about healing.
6. do you have a studio space? or do you work in your kitchen, living room, etc? where's your favourite place for doing your art?
I do have a desk in my bedroom that I intended to use as my mini studio, but sadly it gets used very rarely and is at the moment piled with junk and supplies. It's in the living room I feel most comfortable doing my art, mostly just using the arm of the couch to balance my sketchbook/canvas/etc. But I would one day like to have a studio, doesn't have to be too fancy or anything special, just a room for art and nothing else.
7. whats your favourite media? why is it your favourite?
Now this one I might struggle to answer. I have been buying alot of pens lately, so I've been mostly using them for my art. I just love the variety with pens, one pen for outline, another for shading... all with different finishes, spoiled for choice really.
<3
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
a history in contrast +4
I was looking through some old sketchbooks today and thought I would show you some very old drawings of Ofelia.
This first one is done in Whispers duel tipped brush pens, which I'm not a huge fan of anymore.
The tshirt says "Riot Grrrl"
Blah blah, I hate this drawing.
This first one is done in Whispers duel tipped brush pens, which I'm not a huge fan of anymore.
The tshirt says "Riot Grrrl"
Blah blah, I hate this drawing.
Ooooh the creepy twin Ofelia's... never turned this one into a painting, I'm not sure why really. I think it would make a nice mixed monotype/lino print.
Maybe I'll get on with that idea sometime in the near future.
I had a thing about vintage looking wallpaper back then.
Maybe I'll get on with that idea sometime in the near future.
I had a thing about vintage looking wallpaper back then.
EmOfelia?
Oh the contrast is turned up to the max in the first three pictures, just because I think they looked best this way (Sorry if they look shit on your computer screen)
Oh the contrast is turned up to the max in the first three pictures, just because I think they looked best this way (Sorry if they look shit on your computer screen)
And lastly the one I never finished.
I loved that birthday wrapping paper I used for her dress. Otherwise I'm not keen on this one either.
<3
I loved that birthday wrapping paper I used for her dress. Otherwise I'm not keen on this one either.
<3
About your inspirations etc. questions!
I'm really interested in other artists, what inspires them, what medium they prefer, where they like to work and so on. So here are some questions for you, feel free to answer them on your own blog or in a comment :) I'll do a seperate post and answer them myself later.
1. how long have you considered yourself an artist? do you consider yourself an artist, or is it merely a hobby?
2. what inspires you to do your art?
3. do you have a favourite theme you like to use in your art?
4. do you feel you have found your style? or are you still experimenting in many styles?
5. does your art have a specific purpose (ex. to education people)? or is it for yourself?
6. do you have a studio space? or do you work in your kitchen, living room, etc? where's your favourite place for doing your art?
7. whats your favourite media? why is it your favourite?
1. how long have you considered yourself an artist? do you consider yourself an artist, or is it merely a hobby?
2. what inspires you to do your art?
3. do you have a favourite theme you like to use in your art?
4. do you feel you have found your style? or are you still experimenting in many styles?
5. does your art have a specific purpose (ex. to education people)? or is it for yourself?
6. do you have a studio space? or do you work in your kitchen, living room, etc? where's your favourite place for doing your art?
7. whats your favourite media? why is it your favourite?
Have a creative day :)
<3
<3
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