Thanks to a helpful reader, I have chosen to not use the word 'play' in reference to time spent trying this and that in the studio, rather I am now scheduling Experimental Time. It seems I am truly a person who need to give themselves permission to play by doing something that appears purposeful.
Although interestingly, the play has all been purposeful - with something potentially far-fetched and a fair way off in the future, I wanted to experiment with options; so purposeful play, or educational experimenting it is!
I have been quietly working away trying to learn about ways to write poetry, and I have really enjoyed that time exploring. I have decided I want to try and write one of the poems to use in this future work; but I want it to be 'hidden'. So I decided to experiment with different tools, paper, techniques and styles.
I recently bought this pen - a masking fluid pen; and set to work writing on BFK Rives and Arches Velin printmaking papers.
Using a syringe to write (just like the lettering in Endure above), I did a trial with a similar lettering style; and a cursive handwriting style - done very quickly with the aim of being somewhat indecipherable.
The syringe makes it hard to control; and creates some lovely pooling as well as some great mini splatter marks.
I went on and masked off part of the page; and ran a grey watercolour wash over the top. And I quite liked the effect. The shapes were just random shapes I had around; the future work would be quite a deal subtler I hope.
And then I played with filling in counters and negative spaces with bright, jewel-like watercolours.
love finished piece
ReplyDeleteThanks Irene - it has a lovely bouncy feel to it I think!
DeleteThese are exciting experiments Fiona, I especially love the masking fluid letters. I would guess that the BFK Rives was much too soft and fuzzy to remove masking successfully. So glad you got a better result with watercolour paper. This makes me want to give it a go too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennie - completely agree about the soft surface of the BFK! I just love it as a paper for so many things, I did kind of forget it might not like the rubbing. Also the masking fluid just soaked right in - there was nothing to feel on top of the paper if you know what I mean?The watercolour paper was cheap and cheerful and passed the test so I hope that proper paper might do even better. Go well.
Deletethe look of the watercolor wash on masking fluid just prior to the disastrous unmasking is actually quite interesting (although I doubt masking fluid has long-term staying power, so never mind) ... glad to see things went better as you got on ... although I can't quite imagine writing with a syringe!
ReplyDeleteI quite liked the look the 'before' shot as well Liz. Blue lettering might work in some instances...Working with a syringe can be a bit hit and miss - trying to push the plunger down slowly enough to keep the ink flowing, but not spurting, and moving quickly enough for it not to pool, all make for letting go of the perfect!
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