Cementing with ink

Argh, the ink! I love this part, it's theraputic in its own way. I only need the paper and my ink pen (I use Pigma Micron archival pens and size 005 is my absolute favourite). Although I do encouter problems with this step as well. If you know anything about ink, and I am certain you do, you would know that it's pretty perminent. Well, I am only human and do make mistakes. 

And I made one early on in this series (insert laughing emoji here) - becuase if I don't laugh I cry a little, right? Yes. This one is going on the scrap heap. After working hard on the wings and all other aspects of this painting, for some reason, I decided to try and add more texture to the body of the bird. BIG MISTAKE! I really don't like it. You can see it didn't take me too long to realise that I wasn't happy. This hurts because of the hours already spent, and being a busy working mum all my hours are precious. 

On a positive note, this is a learning curve. I either commit to an attempt at realism with the texture, or learn to leave it alone and add texture another way. The ink, in comparison to the watercolour, is harsh and definitly needs to be treated with respect. Always start little (as I had) but truly conside the impact your next move will have on a piece. In hindsight I should have practised a little more on plain paper rather than commiting to the idea on my nice paper. 

When its goes right though?? It feels amazing. The mistake was disheartning for sure, but I pushed through that dissapointment and started right away on the next peice. As you can see, below, I left it at the suggestions of texture which I will deepen with the watercolour.

Stay tuned for the colour!

Until next time, Leah xx