Fragile Glimpse

Tomorrow I take all my work to the Eszterház Palace in Győr to begin curating my Solo Exhibition. It's still a month away but I might be heading to Paris for a few weeks (insert incredible excitement) so we're trying to get as much preparation done this week as possible. Hopefully in a few days I can reveal the finished invite/flier!

I should have known

Watercolour on paper, 52 x 37 cm

Another milk-eyed seer. I’ve barely finalized the title for my upcoming Solo Show revolving around Hungarian folktales, but I’m already contemplating a title for this next body of work, to avoid always calling it “my new series”, or something else vaguely similar.

Here taped to the wall are my brainstormed ideas… I've managed to narrow it down to the closest 50...

Here is the next sketch, with the drawing finished she patiently awaits painting...

Sketchbook Musings

An artist’s sketchbook is a very personal thing. Whenever I’ve had the honour to catch a glimpse into one, I’ve always marveled at just how different they are, based upon the individual. Some sketchbooks are so neat, that each page could be removed and framed. Mine tend to be filled mainly with writing; I write down my ideas rather than sketch them out. I’ve always wished I kept neat sketchbooks, filled with charming studies and snippets of drawings, the sort of treasure you could exhibit alongside your finished work, but unfortunately mine are always messy and confusing –  the opposite of what my work eventually looks like. I wonder what they say about me? They’re obviously a lot more honest than a finished, fussed over painting.

Usually, I only start sketching an idea to figure out composition right before I'm ready to start work on the final piece. Here I share the preliminary sketch, and the progress of the final figures.

Pencil and Paper

Usually I can’t wait to start painting a piece after I have finished with the drawing. I’ve gotten to the stage where I feel comfortable knowing that I can make the picture come to life with watercolours, layering translucent wash upon wash to build up a rich body of colour.

Sometimes, however, when I finish a piece that I feel particularly moved by…. I can almost not bear to.

This forlorn little waif will become “The Witches Daughter”. I have a soft spot for those poor unfortunate characters that are destined to be hated by “the good guys” in folktales. Just because her mother is a witch (what does that mean anyway – simply that she is an old woman who has been ostracized by her community because she is ‘ugly’ and perhaps knows how to efficiently use healing herbs and potions) she is destined herself to be feared and loathed, never to be accepted into the inner circle of fairies and princesses and dashing knights.

I felt very sad for this girl as I was drawing her. 

I hope I can do her justice and show her unique beauty once I begin to paint her.

Close to completion...

I'm THIS close to finishing her my darlings! I have only to paint her hair... and a grisly surprise in the background.... then she will be finito!!

Here's how she is looking so far...

Progress: For Her Hand – and if you fail…

Happily working away on another piece in my series of illustrations inspired by Hungarian Folktales. I’ll tell you more about her once she is done.

For your pleasure (and for a good laugh) here is the initial concept sketch for this piece in my sketch-book. Sketches are interesting; whilst they are rough, unrefined and rushed, often they convey so much more liveliness and character than the stiff final painting. It’s a matter of trying to achieve that same movement and sense of mood that was so carelessly caught the first time.

Because it’s getting dark so early here (by four the sun is setting, by five it is dark) I am drawing by lamplight a lot more – I get a surprise in the morning when I see how the colours change in natural light!

Warm Sunny Thoughts

Sunny colours, warm thoughts, hot mugs of rosehip tea in a mug the colour of dandelions.... it's getting cold here in Hungary, in the mornings the frost bites the leaves and grass and anything green.

Slowly Emerging

She's emerging from the page very slowly indeed.

 I had initially planned on titling this "The Descent", but now I like "The Dead Reef" as well... what do you think, which would you choose?

Emerging and Descending

Slow progress on the new one, she's complicated and time consuming... and hopefully wonderful.

Playing around with some detail snippets

To spy a Rose

Debating a final touch for her... you can't erase watercolour!

Progress on Winter Approaching

A couple more progress shots of "Winter Approaching".

I can reveal her soon, in about a week... until then...

Emerging Lines

Lately I’ve preferred to start work and finish one piece before beginning on another, but I had to halt progress on my last piece (the descent) as I didn’t have enough reference material at hand (where is a coral reef when you need one??)

So I began work on this next one, and I have to say, I am just a little thrilled at how she is turning out.

Originally, because of the folktale she was inspired by, I had intended to paint the piece in monochrome blacks and greys, including her face. But I just can’t imagine it. She seems so soft to me, and I felt she was crying out for a paler palette. When I am undecided like this I will often do a little colour study like this one:

Yup… pink and grey it shall be!!

Progress: The Descent

The base line-work for a new painting.... she's going to be a lot more detailed than this, I wouldn't be suprised if I don't finish her for another few weeks!

Perhaps because of this I've been working on multiple pieces at once. I'm finally getting to taste what being a "full time" artist will feel like, and I think working on several pieces at once should help keep things moving and fresh. Well... that's the theory anyway!!

Pastel and Blush - Progress Glimpse

Working away on her.
I always like taking a photo when the hair is unfinished and white and looks like mist.

Incomplete Fragments

Do you remember my challenge?

Last year I counted 13 unfinished drawings, all waiting to be completed and painted. It seemed silly to start new drawings when I had all these fragments that would surely make beautiful pieces if only I would get my act together and colour them in. I vowed to finish all 13.

I only have 4 left! To celebrate I broke form to pursue a new piece, an idea that came suddenly and with forceful inspiration. I know, how naughty. I am working on it right now!
The piece will be titled "Salt", and I really hope it turns out how I envision!!

Then I promise, I will finish my challenge!

In my own defence...

It's not that I've been lazy... but busy and unwell. And working on the sort of things that do not look good as progress shots... but look rather frightful even when they're very near completion!!

But in my own defence, here's a shot of my drawing table... looking very clean and unused BUT with a drawing in progress (my saving grace, otherwise I would have been in trouble!)

I received notification that my secret project made it's way to the top secret destination. I admit I experienced a bit of a project-withdrawal.

Thankfully, a delightful opportunity has arisen. I was asked to participate in a themed group exhibition in late May, to be held down in Melbourne.  So barely time to take a deep breath after finishing three months of furious drawing, and back at it!!!

~*~

In other news I wanted to say a big thank you to a very lovely and sweet lady, who has written just the most beautiful blog post about my little etsy boutique. I was completely floored to read it, and so very touched.

Please take a look here (and follow her advice! tee~hee)  Hammer * Stitch * Burn