Materials and Techniques
I’m forever experimenting with materials. Discovering new ways of working, then bringing them together is one of the many things which inspires me. I’m very often asked about the materials and techniques I use, so I thought this list might be useful. Here are some of my favourites, bar the odd trade secret of course…..
Paper
Fine Art paper is my passion, and integral to both my practice and my finished artwork. Favourites include an HP (smooth) surface mid weight (300gsm), eg Fabriano Artistico for tight monochrome pencil drawings, as this allows for uninterrupted lines and depth of tone. For my layered watercolours a heavyweight (425gsm) Saunders Waterford, with a hot or cold pressed surface, or Aquaelles Arches 300gsm - rough - if it’s textures I’m after. I love handmade cotton rag papers too, and use these for both coloured pencil drawings and also gouache and watercolours.
Paint
I mainly work with watercolour and gouache, often combining both in the same painting as I love the juxtaposition between opaque and translucent colours. I use liquid watercolours which I pre-mix and colour sample, then decant into bottles with pipettes. This allows me to paint freely and spontaneously, with a predetermined palette, which doesn’t become contaminated as I work. I might then add detail from paint mixed from watercolour blocks, which further enriches the depth of colour.
Pencils
Drawing is hugely important to me. All my ideas begin in my sketchbooks, and I work with both lead and coloured pencils and lead blocks. I use both retractable and wooden monochrome pencils. I enjoy working with coloured pencils too, and am passionately in love with my electric pencil sharpener. My coloured pencils are non-water soluble, and I’ve documented all the colours in a file as this, for me, is the only way I can fully understand shade cards.
Other Materials
Experimenting with materials is one of the many joys of being an artist. The materials listed above are those I work with most often, although I also use a wide range of others. Oil paint, wax crayons, ink and occasionally charcoal too, regularly make appearances. I also make collages, or add collage to artwork as I go, and have mini draws groaning under the weight of tiny coloured paper shapes ready to land in the perfect spot.
Frames
Most of my paintings and drawings are float mounted, then framed in limed white wood. I usually prefer a wide space (8-10 cm) between the artwork and frame edge, to enhance the marks and colours. Bases and window mounts, when I use them, are soft white with a slight textural grain.