I’m currently in a wild end of year deadline crunch working on multiple projects at the same time, so I thought I’d just share some literal progress for one of the things I’m working on!

This piece is for a group show at Beinart Gallery next year, and I’m both shocked and delighted at how well it’s going! This is one of those rare (for me) pieces where I could clearly visualise the image before starting, but it’s still proving to be an interesting exploration of various techniques and materials.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been slowly refining my traditional art process, building upon previous experiments with incorporating a digital drawing and using ultra matte medium. This time I’m using the same techniques, but starting on a white background and working from light to dark, in a process similar to watercolour painting. I think this approach feels more natural to me, as opposed to going from dark to light. I’ve realised that building up lighter layers of pencil on top of a toned background – while possible thanks to ultra matte medium – is rather laborious, and working this way is both easier, and creates more luminous colours.


I’m also exploring using Pan Pastels to fill in large areas and create more atmospheric shading. Initially I was a little concerned about how the pastel would react to having layers of matte medium applied on top, but I’m pleased to report that several layers of fixative does keep everything more or less in place!

So this is where the piece currently stands. The drawing is mostly done, and I’ve sealed everything with a layer of isolation coat. I’m planning to add some graphic ribbon shapes in acrylics, and a whole bunch of holographic/metallic stars to finish everything off. I’ve also excitingly ordered a custom frame for this piece (seen here freshly gessoed, yet to be painted), on which I intend to paint a bunch more stars!

 

Having the pencil drawing finished and sealed feels like such a relief – the most difficult and risky part is done, and everything else from here on out should be pretty straight forward (I hope?), but wish me luck as I hurtle towards the finish line with the piece – and my 3 other projects – before the holidays 🙃