Out of the comfort zone

Out of the comfort zone. Sometimes you have to try something a little different. Many of those I follow on Instagram are tattooists, or design tattoos, or like dark, gothic stuff – which often involves skulls. So, I thought I’d have a go, just for fun.

This skull is pretty unexciting, a bit anatomical really – but as a first attempt I was pleased with the result.

This fella is all stippling, dots, or pointillism – depending on how you like to describe the process. I used a Derwent Graphik art pen, 0.1 point on 100gsm copy paper.

Looking at his teeth, it could almost be a self-portrait! What do you think?

 

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Casper’s visit

We don’t have any pets. Don’t want one really. We’ve got our son, he keeps us amused. We do get visits from Casper, the cat next door. He’s a ginger tom, and must be the friendliest cat around, but unfortunately his owners aren’t so keen now they have a new dog. So, when he’s in need of a little love and attention he comes to us. Aaah!

I’ve never drawn an animal portrait before so I thought I’d make use of him while he was sleeping in the studio …

Huche de pain

This is a project I’ve wanted to try for ages. Some time ago I found an old, traditional French bread bin – huche de pain – and thought that the front panel is crying out for a little trompe l’oeil.

 

The huche is finished in DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish in ‘Serenity’, discretely distressed (as opposed to thoroughly traumatised, as is the want of some upcycle-ers), and treated with clear wax.

The picture is in DecoArt Americana acrylic paints, with DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics for shadow.

Details shown below:

 

 

Manelle’s challenge

Manelle’s Challenge.

It is too hot for me, so today I gave up and I’m sat in a darkened room, which is only about 5 degrees cooler than out side – but it is good.

So, it is a good time to accept a challenge – a ‘draw this in your style’ challenge.

On Instagram, Manelle from Utah, on her site @talesfantastic, has set a challenge to draw her mermaid in our own style. Her mermaid is one of a series that can be found in her new book, ‘Mermendium’. This mermaid reminds me of the tale of the fairy, Melusine although there is no connection.

She has used watercolours. Mine is using an Artline pen and Karismacolor pencils. I’ve put the two together so that you cam compare. What do you think?

Check out my Instagram page: @kpm.illustration

Manelle’s beautiful original

My version

 

Unstrung hero

I’ve called this one ‘Unstrung Hero’, for obvious reasons. See the previous post for a full explanation, but basically my daughter wanted her old acoustic guitar ‘steampunked’, as nobody in the family can play it.

It went through many phases on its transformational journey using a range of products from DecoArt, such as Media Fluid Acrylics, Texture Sand Paste. Full details of the project will appear in The Decorative Folk Artist, newsletter for BADFA* members.

Here is the finished guitar. No longer a musical instrument, I have seen to that, but a hero to have survived, and unstrung, to boot!

 

 

A bit closer for the details …

(* BADFA is the British Association of Decorative and Folk Art)

Steampunk it!

“Steampunk it!” she said. “Nobody in the family can play it, so it might as well look good!”

So it begins. I have been the custodian of a rather knocked-about acoustic guitar for a few weeks, and now I’ve cleared the backlog of ‘things-I-gotta-do’, this musical monster has emerged from its lair.

I confronted it, head-on, grabbed it by the neck and ripped out its vocal chords. Now it lays mute on the bench as I scour its glossy skin with sandpaper …

Well, that’s the prep work done. I’ll keep you updated as things progress.

Busy studio

Ever since we gave up ‘real’ work and turned to our efforts to artistic output, we’ve been sharing a studio.

Julie uses the wonderful natural light for her photography. She produces ‘flat-lay’ and still-life pictures. She also finds the peace great for her study of Colour Therapy.

I use the space for pen and brush work, or writing. Occasionally we have to change places, or join forces if an extra pair of hands is needed – usually to hold a reflector, or support a backdrop. It is good to have, on hand, a second opinion that you trust. Especially when deadlines are closing in.

Sometimes it gets a bit crowded, so that’s the time to go to the kitchen and make a cuppa.

So here is a snapshot of our multi-functional space – gotta be better than working for a living!