Exploring Coloured Media

Experiments with Ink and a brush. I found this quite a lot of fun to do. Having seen work by an artist called Lora Zomie http://lorazombie.com/ where she uses runny media, usually paint or inks to produce very different look to art. A more abstract take from her point of view and a signature 'runny' style and technique. I found that ink was a quick, wet, and very fluid media to use. Goes on the page easy, but is more suited to larger format work for me, unless you use a dippy ink pen. (Which I have ordered to try) 

Ink and salt

I also, after flicking some paint onto the paper decided to splash some salt down onto the paper having seen the effect it had on another artist work. (Dry salt technique) I haven't read up on it yet so just thought i't experiment and see what normal sea salt would do to the ink. I was hoping for a texture to the piece, which I got, and patches where the salt had absorbed the ink/ fluid to leave an almost tie-dyed pattern. This didn't quite work! Don't think the wet/ salt ratio was right! Might try again another time.

Pencil Crayon

Random experiment with lines, dashes, dots, circles and any other random scribble that came to mind. The pattern I started with kind of reminded me of a bird. So implied the shape of one and let it just flow with lots of lines. Inspired by the marks Van Gogh used in his work as this medium was more easy to control due to the small point of the pencil. 

More suited to more detailed smaller pieces and for applying over the top of water colour to tighten up a piece and add more fine detail and definition. 

Doodles, hatching and more of a variety of marks. On from the last piece I tried to use a more controlled approach to this test piece. Haven't really to be honest discovered anything about pencil crayon that I didn't really know here. 

Watercolour base with a bit of crayon over

Pencil crayon

   
I purposely left this piece part finished to show my experiment and the differences. The nearest ball I put a bit of pencil crayon over to show have even the smallest amount of crayon over the top makes a different. I really like how it tightens up the drawing enabling you to cover a large area with colour firs before then adding more detail to it. The light effects have been brought out by adding some smooth dark tones. Obviously a lot of work still to do for it to be completed.

Oil Pastels

 Have never used Oil Pastels before so didn't really know what to expect. Better for larger pieces from A3 upwards for me. Due to the chunky pastel, fine detail is just not possible. Very good to blend, smudge and manipulate. I get the feeling it would be good for bright vibrant pieces such as fruit or even landscapes.
Very relaxing media.

Chalk Pastels 

Chalk Pastels are very messy if not controlled from the start. Easy to smudge again and can be rubbed out much like charcoal using a good rubber or putty rubber. Easy to blend and get a cloudy, soft effect. Good for landscapes and larger portraits. Detail could be achieves using pastel pencils or even a sharp bit of charcoal.

Something I've used before including the conte chalks. Used to be one of my favourite mediums. I find it very relaxing.