Quality photography

My son is stretching his wings, and using his tech cred to explore the world of
digital photography.

He did wonderful, crisp and colour accurate photos of several of my artworks.

This was for the purpose of getting good quality prints off the originals.

Flower Commission

I had a tricky flower commission to do. Lots of dewdrops on the petals.
Also couldn't decide on the method.

Started painting in gouache to get vivid colour. Then decided to use this
as a base to draw over with pastel pencil.

It is hard to make flower petals looks soft. This sample was very large.

Some of the steps shown here.
 

 Original photo reference. 

 Gouache paint.

 Starting with pastel, flower still  'stiff '.

 Petals and leaves improving, and a soft background 

rubbed in, as stark white was too much. 

More logic applied to the dewdrops. 

Making handmade artist's books

I had fun, and some frustration, at a bookmaking workshop. I had only
waited about 3 years to have the experience.

This group project with about 10 -13 people from our printmaking
group, was at our local arts centre. Some had produced the work but
only 10 attended.

We all got a little kit of hard cardboard covers, and a title page plus the
exchange of prints from the group.

Each book was as individual as the artist as each could choose their covering
paper, inside lining paper, and thread and beads.

The tricky bit was drilling holes through the tough cardboard. Soon
though the whole group had tussled with this and finished their little books.

Special stitching held the cover and pages together, called Japanese stab
binding.

There were printed instructions, and some demonstration and help given,
but it still seemed a little strange and confusing.

By lunchtime all done. Satisfying to hold the finished product, and having
learnt a new skill.

Waterless Lithography Workshop

I was lucky to attend a 2-day workshop at Warringah Printmaker's
recently.

Two different versions of this plate. 

More cicada wings

After the print exchange with the UK, we next are going to make a
handmade book to put our prints in.

The theme continues, but can be different. I still did wings but have
made them more mixed media.

By collaging wings onto gelatine plate printing backgrounds, then
adding silver, gold or copper leaf, they are more individual and
abstract concepts.