Getting there - slow but sure

Further to my last post, I've been working on this drawing I did, using a photograph of some toadstools I took for the background.  First of all I used a sepia pen to go over the drawing lines, then rubbed them out (very gently!)

I then added colours to various parts, using water soluble wax crayons mostly, then started to put the details in, plus some shadows.  The fairy is only very lightly coloured (nowhere near finished).  I am concentrating on the leaves mostly at the moment, and haven't quite decided about the background at the top.  Lots to do still, but I think it's coming on.
It's great for me to compare the pictures of the process, if only I could remember to do more scans as I went along!
Bye for now .....

Foraging for Fungus ......

Actually, to be honest, I was foraging for Fairies ........

but looking at the texture on these Honey Fungus (which is what I think it is) no wonder there were no fairies around.  It looks so spikey and rough, but really amazing.  The patterns are truly so inspiring!

Further along the lane I found these - much smoother, but still no sign of any fairy .....

wonderful Autumn colours though.  Even these round smooth ones were fairyless!

 I reckon they must have heard me approaching .......

and just took off.  I felt quite bereft, so decided I draw one .......

There you go - I just knew they were there really.  I'm off to add some paint.
Till next time ......

Another Fairy ......

 A new experience for me - I'm using A3 watercolour paper!  My Sketchbook is only A5, and smooth paper.  What a difference textured paper makes, as well as paper four times the size ........  Anyway, herewith my sketch.  Thought I'd give her feathered wings this time.

Add some flesh coloured pencils and paint, some water soluble crayons (her skirt) and some colour to her wings - plus a whole lot more graphite! 

She now has blonde hair as you can see, and I stippled the background with blue red and black acrylic paint and added some gouache white paint.  I did a lot of fiddling with her wings too.  I have to revisit all the flesh parts (lots of fiddling to do there!) and work on her skirt, and generally put a lot more detail in.  Still, she is getting there, slow but sure.
Bye for now .......

Bunbury Challenge completed

Here is my piece for the Bunbury Patchwork & Quilting Group in Australia.  The colours are a bit brigher than the picture shows, especially the edge of the leaves!

To recap, this is the challenge fabric - 11" square - 80% of which has to be used in the design somewhere.  The theme is Wonderland, and the quilts are for their Exhibition in 2012 - so I am in plenty of time!!
I'm still considering whether to add a couple of small 'pieces of leaves' at the bottom - or leave well enough alone.  What do you think? (OMGoodness - I've just noticed the pun!)   I've decided to call it Autumn Wonderland.
Till next time .......

More Sketchbook stuff ...

A sketchy beginning ..........

Added background using water soluble wax crayons and salt ....

Popped into the garden to find some leaves - for colour and shape ....

Added a bit more colour ....

Ta Daa!  I reckon she is done.  By the way, my sketchbook is A5 size.
Till next time ....

Sketching, stitching and painting

Further to my last post - herewith the finished drawing/painting of my latest fairy attempt.  As you can see, I did add something in the background and also the berries at the bottom, to cover those weird shaped arms a bit!  I have lots of beautiful berries on the trees and in the boundary hedges in my garden at the moment.

I've also been dyeing, stitching, painting and more stitching.  I decided to enter the Challenge of the Bunbury Patchwork & Quilting Group in Australia, under the theme 'Wonderland' - well, how could I resist?

 This is my effort so far (about 20" x 30").  It doesn't have to be in Australia under February 2012, so I have plenty of time.  The Challenge is , however..........

to incorporate this piece of fabric into the design.  It is only 11" square, but I can't overdye it or bleach it or change it in any way, and I must use it witin the design, not in the borders or on the back!!
I'll keep you posted as to how I get on ......
Till next time.
PS.  Any body else out there taking up the Challenge, or anyone know of anybody who is?

Sketchbook - pencil and water colour

I've been dabbling again in my sketchbook, inspired as usual by Linda Ravenscroft and her beautiful artwork.   I've collected a few 'poses' from Sunday supplements and magazines etc. that I thought might give me a start, and the one above is the one I used - just to give me a shape to go by, not to try to copy the image itself.

I washed the background with watercolour, then drew the image with a graphite pencil.  I should have taken a scan before adding any paint really, but forgot!

Added water colour to the wings and a bit more detail to the hair.....

Added more colour and more detail, with coloured pencils as well as the graphite pencil.
I know the image itself is not very good, the more I coloured it and added detail, the more I could see her nose is too long and her body too thin etc. but generally, the shading and colouring is not too bad.  Just as well she isn't supposed to be a copy of the original!  She is a fairy from another world after all!
She isn't finished yet - I want to add more detail to her wings, and something in the background, and perhaps some fairy dust here and there!  I'm off to have another go, with a different 'pose'.  Hopefully the next one will be better.
Till next time .......