We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
"Little Gidding"
T S Eliot

Tuesday 27 September 2016

Waiting for lunch ...

Following on from Mr Hare (here) and Mr Cheetah (here), may I introduce Mr Kingfisher!

I've used the same technique - drawing first, then going over with a dip pen, followed by a very wet wash of acrylic ink. This time I did dilute the ink a bit first, but I'm not sure that was a particularly good idea as I've lost some of the vibrancy.

Anyway, once dry, I used coloured pencils and Neocolor II crayons for the detail.



Did you know, apparently, kingfishers dive so fast that they can penetrate a layer of ice to catch a fish!

Wednesday 21 September 2016

X marks the spot ...

The latest letter in the Craft Barn Dictionary challenge is X - oh joy!

Not a lot to choose from - one if my mantras is - if stuck go to the Greek alphabet! ... I'm joking of course.

But I have gone to the Greek alphabet and my chosen word is the 14th letter - xi.

I've used a multilayered painted background, and dug deep into that area of my craft room that has been neglected for so long. I was searching for some alphabet letters - which I did find eventually (woo hoo!) along with a whole heap of other stuff which hasn't seen the light of day for soooo long. A bit like the toys stuffed into a box that are no longer played with ...

Anyway, here is my offering -


Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox - looking forward to misty mornings and that spidery web-fest on all the shrubs, plus crunchy leaves and stunning  golden colours - oh, and curling up on the sofa with a good book!

Saturday 17 September 2016

The butterfly effect ...

The last time the Fearless Four got together I forgot my camera, so didn't record our efforts; this time I remembered my camera, but we were only three, as one of us was unwell; so this is about the temporary three!

We started with quite a large MDF butterfly shape, which we  covered with a multitude of smaller butterflies, mostly die-cut and embossed ones.

There are quite a few collective nouns for butterflies - swarm, flight, rabble, flutter, kaleidoscope, wing, rainbow, flock - take your pick!

The whole piece was painted with black gesso, then - time for lunch!

Next we used different metallic/iridescent paints and mediums, blending and highlighting the shapes and patterns.  At home I added some little pearly things and made some wire antennae.


And the other offerings ...

Here is Lin's frenzy of butterflies

(a collective noun I just made up!)















and this is Linda's creation, which also includes some wooden butterflies.















Great fun to do and something a bit different to hang on the wall. Always good to craft with friends! Next time I hope we are back to full strength.

A power of Butterfly must be -
The Aptitude to fly
Meadows of Majesty concedes
And easy Sweeps of Sky -

Emily Dickinson

Thursday 8 September 2016

How inappropriate to call this planet Earth ...

... when it is quite clearly Ocean ...
Arthur C Clarke

I've not done any stamping for some time, as I been immersed in painting, but the latest Craft Barn Dictionary challenge letter is O, and, unusually, I had no inspiration whatsoever.

Until (light bulb!) I decided to dust off some stamps - and do an oceanic scene; starting with a random acrylic ink background with a bit of cling film to create some texture.

The fish stamps (and associated dies) are by Heartfelt Creations stamped onto some left over sprayed background pieces. My favourite is the sea horse.

No-one does water drops and bubble stamps like Ryn, so added some bubbles to the mix, together with some pieces of oceanic flora!


Also entering Ryn's monthly challenge, and the Craft Stamper stamping challenge.

I start my intermediate watercolour and mixed media course on Monday, which I'm really looking forward too, though I think it is going to be a bit challenging!

Saturday 3 September 2016

I'm ready for my close-up ...

Following on from my experimental Mr Hare (see here), I wanted to have another go using the same media, and this time Mr Cheetah is in the spotlight!

I started with the drawing, and used a dip pen with India ink over the pencil marks. I then flooded the paper with water and dropped in some acrylic ink. I also dropped in some granualation medium, but it is quite difficult to control, so next time I'll leave it out!

When thoroughly dry, I added the detail with coloured pencils and Neocolor II crayons.



My next project is a kingfisher!

Happy September - hope it is a sunny one!