Moth second plate

At last I have finished the cutting of the second plate.

The patterns are quite different from the first plate, as I want to overprint and see what happens.

I also cut a mask, using a test print from the first block. I can’t now remember why I I wanted to do this but I had written it down in my invaluable to-do book.
(Note to self: Good idea to add reason or give self some clue or other.)
Anyway I hope I will remember when I start printing.

Test print of number two plate

  .

I was looking at the new plate and the cut-out print from plate one and thought how much I liked the isolated pink moth.

Some more possibilities are suggesting themselves.. sadly not the reason for the mask yet.

More soon..

Kingfishers at night? Really??

 

I've been working on an idea for an abstract print but it isn't ready yet for the rest of the world so I've revisited an image I originally worked on earlier in the year - the kingfisher.  Somehow it seemed appropriate after drawing the feathers and I wondered how often someone finds an iridescent blue kingfisher feather.  How wonderful that would be and I would spend a very long time studying them if ever I was ever lucky enough to find one.

 

 

Lino print and watercolour

 

I know kingfishers aren't seen at night but mine has decided to see what all  the  fuss is about and have a chat to the moon....perhaps the fish will be sleepy and more easily caught?.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lino print and watercolour.

I shall do more work on this image as I want to give the water some definition and improve the

cloud formations

 

 

 

Lino cut and watercolour

 

 

This one is an extravaganza  of colour because, after all, that's what kingfishers are all about..... 

Feathers

Perhaps it's because I've been consciously looking for them, but recently I've seen so many feathers scattered over the ground on our dog walks. I can't blame Poppy, our lurcher,  as she likes to stay in sight of us [unless a hare distracts her of course] so I know she's not responsible and happily pick them up to enjoy the sheer beauty of their design and colouring.   How intricate they are! From soft willowy wafts of white down which then become strong shining flight feathers which interweave in a complex way to make the perfect wing.

Watercolour and pencil

 

 

I suspect this is a duck's feather as it was found by a large man made pond on one of our walks but there were so many types of wildfowl on it that I couldn't even begin to guess what sort of duck.

 

Watercolour and pencil

 

 

A collection of feathers which took me three days to draw and paint because they are so intricate but what a pleasure it is to do when it gives you the chance to enjoy yourself at the same time as closely observing something so beautiful.

 

After straining my eyes for several days I decided the next blog entry will be something completely different in terms of size! It's a long time since I've done a print and Val has inspired me to get going again after seeing her work on the lovely moth, so it's back to the drawing board but this time with something larger in mind.......

 

Moth Print: 2

I am using the moth image for some more systematic experiments. I’m going to try 2 blocks with different sorts of marks and patterns on each.

First background vinyl block and sketch

First proofs and then printed onto the next block.Something I have not tried before. It involves making a registration plate and some careful measuring. Not my forte….

Second block with some different designs.

Moth Print 1

Like Sue I am just back from hols. This time another inspiring visit to a favourite city Amsterdam. Time is short this week so just a simple moth design to try a few print techniques.

Some initial sketches to sort out a design that will be quick and versatile. 

A few further thoughts and starting to cut the base plate.

Weasel on a wander

 

 

A very limited post from me this week as we've been on holiday to Spain, walking some of the 'old ways' as well as bits of the new, and I know which I prefer! It can become quite an addictive pastime so before we had to get back to 'normality' we had a couple of long walks locally.

 

After an hour or so of walking along footpaths across fields and along hedges,  we crossed a gate and came to a road where we found this dead weasel who had probably been hit by a car and been bowled into the verge.  The opportunity to be able to study such an elusive animal as a weasel couldn't be missed so one of the many bags taken for blackberries and sloes was used to carry it back.  

 

 

 

Weasels are our smallest carnivore and hunt on other small mammals such as voles and mice  and when you can see their teeth close up, you can appreciate how effective they must be as hunters. They're smaller than a stoat but have a beautiful chestnut brown coat.

                                                  Pencil sketch and water colour of weasel

Being able to study this lovely little creature closely gave me an opportunity to understand its form and movement patterns.

I've recorded certain measurements to help remind me of how the weasel is built, and was surprised to see how large its head is in comparison with its body. It's slim and muscular with short front legs in comparison to its back legs but anyone who has seen how quickly they can run across the road can appreciate what a speed machine it can be. 

Sad though it is to see road kill, at least something can be salvaged if we can increase our understanding of the natural world. It's certainly shown me  what a wonderful creature it is and  perhaps my sketches might just help others to appreciate it too.

Charcoal Moth

I had a moth to stay last year, a beautiful but sad female Emperor. She lived in the shed for a while, then outside for a while. It was not a long life. I made these big charcoal sketches today from her rather decrepit remains. It’s nice to be able to breathe a bit of  life into her again.

 

A2 charcoal sketches

The tatty little model is on the box on the left

Female Emperor Moth on box: Charcoal A2

There is a beautiful softness about these moth. Their hair is silky and their pattern slightly blurred.  Despite their distinctive pattern they are hard to see in the hedgerows.

I ask myself, what exactly is it I like about moths?
Partly I think it is because of their exceptionally beautiful colouring and patterns, partly because they are masters of camouflage and mostly that they usually fly at night. All that pattern and colour in the dark? They are truly mysterious things.

I am working on some moth prints which will be mostly to do with the pattern, I think.