Here it is, the end of one of my favorite months, the eve of another.
I am standing on a threshold, with loose ends to tie up before I leave for Wales and some miscellany to share.
Having finished my summer workload, I turned back to Alaska-inspired paintings. I felt as though I had, literally and figuratively, painted myself into a corner with the Copper Mountain series and their restrictive color palette. These are self-imposed restrictions, needless to say, and so are readily set aside for a while.
As a way to sneak up on and vanquish my stymied and procrastinating self, I turned away from orange and verdigris and thought about the cool blues and greens and earth tones that characterized 99.99% of the Alaska I experienced while I was there!
More studies. The trick is to keep the energy and verve of studies in my final paintings... that has been the hitch with the Copper Mountain series so far. Nevertheless, I persist.
Study of Lake Clark, Alaska and its turquoise waters and dramatic sky:
Standing here today, I believe I see some thoughts of Wales sneaking into this study! Liminal states are like that, with their rearview glances to the past and their earnest wonderings about the future.
I mentioned last time my brush pen technique as a solution for the garden illustrations I had to do and that worked well. I actually simplified shapes and tones and ended up with not a lot of nuance, but some fresh and light-spirited images which went well with the tone of the essay.
I can't share the final illustrations until they are published this fall, but here is a collage I made of leftovers from the process, all pasted into my journal/sketchbook. Color and light and simple shapes dominate here.
Having lately rediscovered my beloved brush pen for pleasure drawing I vow to make more drawings with it. Here is one of my daughter Kate from a few days ago. Pentel pocket brush pen and Caran d'Ache watersoluble crayons:
So now, again, back to the painting studio and to thoughts and plans for my upcoming trip to north Wales. See you soon!
Thank you so much, Marly. xx
Posted by: Laura | September 03, 2017 at 09:00 AM
Thank you, dear Robyn! It's a struggle for me... painting, that is. It always is. Drawing is my native language ;D. I loved the Sai brush pens when I used them a few years ago... they are highly pigmented, which is nice. Fun to think of you making art with your granddaughters!
Thank you for your love and good wishes for me. I send you the same. xxo
Posted by: Laura | September 03, 2017 at 08:58 AM
Laura--your Alaska paintings have so much texture--they are palpable. Love seeing your daughter so at home with you. It's time for me to pull out my brush pens. Bought a set of SAI colored brush pens to use with my granddaughters and have tried using them with the addition of a brush and water--sometimes to interesting effects and plenty of times, not so much. Sending you love, adventure and lots of time to sketch on your next trip to Wales.
Posted by: Robyn Mixon | September 03, 2017 at 08:32 AM
Thank you very much, Ms Marly!
Posted by: Laura | September 01, 2017 at 03:04 PM
Oh, thank you, dear Kate! I'm so happy you like my brush pen goings on! ;D
Posted by: Laura | September 01, 2017 at 03:04 PM
Lovely, and such a range in three!
Posted by: marly youmans | August 31, 2017 at 08:32 PM