Sketch
It all started with a simple sketch of a Geisha. After several incarnations, I have given my Geisha a new feel, again, this time with a completely new medium - collage using newsprint. I'm amazed how different she looks, and managed to capture some of that wistfulness I was after.
Collage
I used a local newspaper for almost all the collage, with the bottom of her kimono, from re-used paper I've printed on formerly. Her face was done in watercolour pencil, and I deliberately chose a limited palette to compliment the newsprint. Her lips I decided should stand out (given that a Geisha's smile is important) so coloured them pink.
The wisps of hair which fell down the side of her face, formerly, have been removed, but I did add a new spray of cherry blossom to hang in their place.
Click to enlarge
Next to her former self, I'm surprised by the new transformation. It amazes me how a different medium can change the look of the same image. Neither seem "better", because it was about experimentation and each has their own look, unique to the mediums I used.
This is not the end for my Geisha - I still want to experiment more!
UPDATE: here is a free tutorial on how to use watercolour pencil.
Wow! Wow! Wow! I LOVE it! I see you put a smile on her face as well whichi somehow suites the new composition. And the flowers are a great touch. You really took a universal image here and made it your own.
ReplyDeleteYou used a water color pencil to draw out her face? And the shading? I'm very curious about how to use these which is why I am asking.
I also love your new blog-I am thinking of starting another for me-everythings seems stale and its going to be a long time before I can focus on the weebly site. Its good to start fresh isn't it?
I found this wonderful artist on Facebook, I can't think of her name right now but I bookmarked her because I thought of you (and she totally inspired me) and then I found yet one more today which also made me think of you (and he obviously inspired me too:) so I will be posting links to both in the next couple of days.
Art is so joyful I can barely contain myself! I am so happy you are sharing your work-I knew for years you did art but have not had the pleasure till now.
Thanks for the feedback. :)
DeleteI must say, she really surprised me this time - I just had a crazy idea to use newsprint and a limited palette. It's amazing what you can discover while experimenting. I get crazy-excited about art too, and I'm finally letting myself do that without feeling guilty.
The watercolour pencils are just like using regular pencils, only you use a brush with water, to blend the texture together afterwards. I just selected a light-grey pencil (and pink) applying different pressure to get either dark or lighter values. Then I applied the brush dipped in water, to smooth it all out.
Here's a good video tutorial on how to use watercolour pencil:
http://thevirtualinstructor.com/watercolorpencils.html
Looking forward to continuing this art journey with you. :)
I finally managed to go look at the link-thanks for that. I have a set of pencils and will give it a try-they seem actually easier to use than watercolor so maybe when I am pressed for time but still want to paint I could experiment with them.
DeleteI really do like how you used them in your more current Geisha-very simple drawing tools-and to carry on the comment you made about using type as a directional tool-that is what really helped this peice come together I think.
Are you finished with her or are you making a series?
I definitely have more plans to recreate my Geisha, and even getting some new mediums (for me) for Christmas, to experiment with.
DeleteIt helped having few pieces of newsprint to glue on her - with the directional lines. I'm learning with my cat picture however, its a little more challenging and at risk of becoming too cluttered. Still working on it. ;)
You have blocks of solid space in your geisha that strengthen the composition and provide depth. Maybe the cat needs more solid than pattern? Its hard to say without seeing what you mean or what you have envisioned-striking balance is important though.
DeleteGreat minds think alike - I was contemplating blocks of colour too. That's the beauty of collage - I can put all sorts of paper down to see how it looks, and nothing is permanent until I use glue!
DeleteThat is sooo much better. The expression on her face is entirely different. And I love the collage. I'd forgotten collage. We did that at high school, too. I used to like doing pictures with pressed flowers and leaves and especially grasses. Do you do that, too? Have put the new blog into my feed reader and will look forward to further work and ideas. You're seriously making me think of starting something similar (I don't mean a blog, just the artwork). If there were only more hours in the day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback. :) I did turn the sides of her mouth up a little and having them stand out with colour, gave the significance back to her smile. She did need that and I'm glad you pointed it out formerly.
DeleteWe did collage at school too, only I've never used newsprint before. Where I want to show change in movement (because they're only blocks of paper) I tried to change the direction of the printed words. This aspect of collage is new to me.
We didn't do pressed flowers and leaves as a collage at high school, but I do remember doing leaf prints with maple leaves, and exaggerating the veins with pens - or whatever effect we wanted to give. I quite enjoyed that exercise and look forward to experimenting with prints in the future.
Thanks for reminding me with your significant memories about art in high school. :)
I'm not sure how much time is available to you in the evenings, but maybe you could take a bit of the garden with you inside - either sketch it and take botanical notes, and start an illustrative reference book for your garden, or dip them in paint and make prints - whatever takes your fancy and can afford you the time.
As long as its something that will add to how you manage your garden, maybe its something you can squeeze in? You'd have the best garden journal! ;)
I do have a bit of time in the evenings now it's daylight saving (not locking up the chooks till 8.30 or so) and since there's nothing on telly either, I might just try getting back to drawing. Thanks for the watercolour pencil tutorial...off to look at it now.
DeleteIf I was a sports person, tv would be very interesting at the moment - but I'm not, lol.
DeleteSo thrilled to hear you're going to try drawing again. Don't be embarrassed to share on your blog either. I'm sure others who know your love of gardening, would love to see that translated on paper. You might even inspire some other gardeners to start illustrating their own gardens too. :)