Batman Day 2014

Batman Day was two days back, but, in my world, Batman works best on his own schedule.  So. . . .

Pen and ink on 11x17" Eon Plate Finish Art Board

~Richard

James Garner - Inktense Pencils

James Garner

Derwent Inktense pencils on 11x15” Arches cold press water colour paper.

I think I’ll have to create a chart or small book for the Inktense pencils — the colour shift can be really surprising.  The brick coloured Chilli Red shifted to a really saturated cherry colour after the water was added. This is the third piece I’ve done with just the inktense pencils, so I expect I’m still at the bottom of the learning curve, but I really enjoy the medium and the process of learning it.

To be honest, by guessing the colour results and using a spray bottle the way I am, I’m forcing a certain randomness into the result, but I think the higher risk of failure makes for a more exciting learning process.

~R

The Inktense Hulk

I've recently fallen in love with Derwent's Inktense water soluble pencils (see last entry).  Still in the passionate but fumbling around to find out what feels right and works best part of the relationship.  Alternated dry drawing and washes with a spray mister and waterbrush.  The Strathmore mixed media paper surface was starting to lose cohesion on the third wash, so I know the limits of that paper, but the inktense pigment held up wonderfully.  So much so I ordered the  72 colour set.

I suspect, like watercolours, the pigment will work best the less its mixed, so a broader range of colours and values should allow me to do more and more interesting things.

Few experiments I want to try going forward:

1. sprinkle finely ground inktense pigment into a flooded surface
2. use it as an under-painting of a sort - it's mostly waterproof after it first dries, so other water media over top should experience bleed, but I'm thinking of using transparent gesso over it then paint back over with acrylics or oils.
3. I wouldn't mind trying to do a short comic story with this media.
4. I've an idea for a series of urban-themed nudes I've been nursing for a while, but I didn't want to do them in oils or digitally.  This might be the approach I'll take.

~R

Bettie 2014

Bettie 2014

Derwent Inktense water-soluble pencils on 140lb. 24x32cm cold press watercolour paper.

I flooded the page with watercolour from a squeeze bottle, which had some interesting effects, but I think I'll dig out a spray bottle for the next experiment.

WIP below:

I'd just used the Inktence pencils for some sketch cards and the multi-media sketch below (done at McDonalds while waiting for the brakes to be fixed on my car).  I'd bought some more inktense pencils and Liquitex paint markers for lack of bringing work with me to the mechanic.

I expect I'll be doing more work with both media going forward.

~R