Linocut

I have been getting rather frustrated that drawing takes so long! Silly I know but I also wanted to be able to reproduce successful drawings in bulk.
So I started looking into printing techniques. A lot of them I am very familiar from doing art and design since college. The problem is, which is the least messy and doesn't involved a big ol' silk screen!
Linocut!!!! Brilliant. So I went ahead and ordered a small kit produced by Abig on Amazon.

In the meantime, I was at an event in Saint Albans and there was a guy with a pushbike and table set up promoting linocutting! What are the chances eh?! He is part of a pop up workshop called The Culture Cart
I had a little chat with him and chose one of his pre cut templates, a pair of scissors, inked up and produced a wonderful print.
Chatting to him allowed me to have a refresher and some tips on linocutting.
He suggested I have a go with softcut..... I went away chuffed to bits and on a mission to get some of this softcut.

I found softcut on various website and decided to go along with Jacksons Art Supplies, as recommended by The Culture Cart guy.

The kit from Amazon arrived and I have done some experimenting today.........
I looked up how to cut the lino as I know it can be dangerous business if not done carefully. One tip which was helpful was to warm up the lino before cutting, so I had a lamp handy and left it close to the lino. It did work and helped a lot. This was great information provided by Happydragonpress.co.uk, thank you!

I am super happy with the results and looking forwards to the softcut to arrive as I think it will be even easier to work with.

Card for Colin

My partner Dan asked me to draw a card for his Dad, Colin, to celebrate his birthday.
I went epic and did a large square card!
The work of art took me a week to do, I drew little bits each day which meant I could reflect on what I did, it is easy to to get engrossed and a clouded mind when focused on work, having a look feeling tired and thinking it isn't that great.... You come back to it and your mind has changed it's opinion! So taking breaks and re looking at the work was just magical and exactly how I have been taught to draw.
It is not a race but put time in and something wonderful will appear!
Enjoy...... I certainly did!

Plant Inspiration

Plants and nature are my all time loves as inspiration for drawing.
I went for a little walk on our grounds of Balls Park and picked up items which screamed pattern at me!
Just a little insight into how my mind works.... I don't always see an object for what is is, I look at shape, pattern and colours. I believe this is how my mind has been trained since I have been heavily involved in art and design since College. I love extracting patterns from everyday objects.

I am currently getting back to basics on my drawing and coming on leaps and bounds. I feel I have come full circle and honing my skills as an artist. I wanted to specialize in print at University but tutors urged me to go down the knitting route, I am glad I did but I have a hunger for detailed pattern which quite frankly you cannot get in knitting. So I am now looking at printing up tea towels and cards.... Coming soon!

So onto my drawings I have been getting on with.....

Card designs I have drawn up so far.....

A New Card Design

Now I have a few Zentangle designs under my belt and looking a-ok, I think I can safely start making things to sell.
I bought some plain brown/natural cards to do my designs on.

My first card is of a flower and the edges cut out.
I love this first one I have done and have tried doing a second and third and they come out different each time! This is something I need to get past in my mind and deal with, each one will be individual! Yes!
I feel I can't let go of this first one as I am so pleased with it! But I am sure there will be plenty more awsome ones to come :-)

Zentangle a day......

I decided to buy the book Zentangle a day through amazon kindle. A great way to keep handy info on the go and access wherever I go as I have the kindle app on my phone, hurray for technology!

I bought the book as the next Zentangle workshop is not until September, so I really want to get to grips with it as soon as possible.
The content of the book is very clear and covers all the right information you need to know about this great art form.

I have been naughty and been flicking though ahead to get to the patterns. Some of the chapters cover lighting and shading, which is great for fundamentals of drawing. For me I am not a fan of the shading in my own work, I love patterns to be graphic and bold. Maybe the shading will come along later for me.

So here are my drawings, you can tell which ones I enjoyed and which ones I did not quite grasp, there is one I didn't grasp at first but I really like and will practice.
I do believe that not all patterns on offer are what I want to draw. Everyone has their own style and what makes them tick. It is the same with my lindy hop dancing, there are moves I just can't do or do not like personally, it doesn't make it a bad thing, more like personal taste which is absolutely fine.

Onwards and upwards!

Birthday card for Lisa who has Happy Feet!

It is a birthday of a fellow dancer Lisa, who I dance alongside with our dance troupe The Chee Chee Gals. I will be getting my fellow Chee Chees to sign it for her.
I am very pleased with this one.

I went to do a simple L for the envelope and got carried away! I don't mind it looks fab!

Calligraphy..... I want to be as good as this!