Spring is sprung …

… the grass is riz,
I wonder where the birdies is?

These are the opening lines to the anonymous nonesense poem I put on the back of ‘Spring Time’.

The artwork is in response to a challenge, and swap, organised on Facebook. The idea being to spread some happiness in these uncertain times. The only criterion was ‘something nice before Easter’. And this was my offering, now safely in the hands of my swap partner.

It was painted in Decoart Americana acrylic paints on Daler art board, the detail outlining is done with Edding 1880 Drawliner pens in various sizes.
If you would like a pattern pack, let me know.

I hope you like it and that it has brought a little brightness in to your life.

Colour … no colour?

Sometime ago I drew ‘The Old Cottage’ at Burnards House, in Devon. One of the techniques I’ve wanted to experiment with is adding colour. I’ve tried before and not been pleased with the result.

This time I used Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours in tubes. The ink has dried completely (well I drew it over two months ago!) and is Daler Rowney FW Acrylic, Black 028.

So what do you think? Colour, or no colour?

I’m not sure which I prefer. I enjoy the drawing and the detail. May be each picture will tell me what is best for them.

Halloween 19

Well, it rhymes, doesn’t it? And, yes, I’m nearly a fortnight late, but this was my offering for this year’s Halloween – Little Shop of Horrors.

I used my Shop stamp from my most recent set, (available from Chocolate Baroque) and added stamps that were laying around the house.
Colour is Koh-i-Nor watercolours. I thought the shop windows were an ideal place to ‘spooky’ things up a bit, so upstairs we have ghost, bat, and spider, while downstairs ‘Audrey II’ is trying to get her human blood ration from Seymour, the shop owner!

I hope at least some of you remember the 1986 film!

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?

 

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