Icon 1 © Mari French 2012
…this is the first of several recent abstract experiments with ink and stained tissue on watercolour board that I am happy with. I like the subdued burgundy, brown and gold colours.
You might remember that I’ve used a similar technique for more representative landscape based pieces, also on watercolour board (click here).
This one is quite a small artwork but I think it may be one for framing at some point.
Shoreline (detail) © Mari French 2012
A detail of another recent ink and tissue experimental piece (shown in full below), to show the lovely way the ink runs into the wrinkles and creases in this method, suggesting natural features. This detail is roughly actual size.
(Hopefully this one will show an enlarged view when clicked on! I’ve been having difficulty getting this aspect to work when using the ‘shortcut’ New Post facility in WordPress).
I am so excited by this way of working!
Shoreline © Mari French 2012
detail © Mari French 2012
…a few sketches from a recent exploration along local country lanes, during the harvest season, led to some promising experimental imagery…
track through ripening barley, watercolour/ink pencils.
© Mari French 2012
above… I thought purple skies in a couple of instances would get across the heat of the summer day better than the usual blue.
Rain clouds over ripening crops
© Mari French 2012
at last … I discovered that this particular blue/purple crop (below) I’d noticed recently, was the herb Borage (nice edible flowers), and not flax or linseed, which seemed more prevalent last year.
stubble and borage crop, watercolour/oil pastel
© Mari French 2012
…and subsequent experimental images, created as soon as I got back, inspired by the field imagery, using ink-stained tissue paper, sponge rollers etc, deliberately avoiding using usual media like pencil, brushes… I want to take these further sometime soon.
experimental 1
© Mari French 2012
experimental 2 © Mari French 2012
experimental 1
© Mari French 2012
experimental 3 © Mari French 2012
Mari French RI : contemporary artworks 