Yupo paper experimentation

I work in an art supplies store, so I'm always busting to try the new and interesting things that my manager gets in. The yupo paper had been there for a while, but I didn't realise the potential it held for watercolour, so I gave it a go. The interesting thing about yupo paper is that it isn't paper from wood pulp, cotton or rag, but rather just sheeted plastic. Watercolour behaves differently on this surface, swimming and pooling until the water evaporates, instead of being absorbed into the paper. This makes it maintain a more liquid appearance even after it has dried. These works aren't necessarily my style, but it was fun to see what it could do. Sprinkling salt on the still wet image yielded interesting results as well.

flowers

watercolour on yupo, 2009

untitled

watercolour on yupo, 2009

untitled

watercolour on yupo, 2009

grim04

watercolour on yupo, 2009

grim girls

Returning to the girls from eyeontheprize, adding watercolour and some flies. Trying to communicate decay and vulnerability. When I have the time and means I plan to translate these into oil painting.

grim03

pen and watercolour on paper, 2009

grim02

pen and watercolour on paper, 2009

grim01

pen and watercolour on paper, 2009

fear

I did this mixed media drawing a while ago, it was going to be a starting point for a different series, but I had to abandon it due to a lack of time. Will probably expand upon this idea in the future. Focusing on fear, humanity, vulnerability and the unpredictable.

fear01

mixed media on paper, 2008

Monochromatic portraits

Leaving the watercolours alone for a moment here, decided to unearth the inks and charcoals. Was a lot of fun to use these bolder mediums again.

portrait23

mixed media on paper, 2009

portrait22

mixed media on paper, 2009

portrait21

mixed media on paper, 2009

portrait20

mixed media on paper, 2009

portrait19

mixed media on paper, 2009

matics

I wasn't sure what to make of these, I'm pretty sure they were a continuation of works from a previous year on global warming. I'll probably do more work on this theme later.

matics03

mixed media and collage on paper, 2008

matics02

mixed media and collage on paper, 2008

matics01

mixed media and collage on paper, 2008

milky

After a friend had a baby I was compelled to draw him.

milky05

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

milky04

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

milky03

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

milky02

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

military

These are the first works that I made using children's book collage, and a definite step away from my usual work at the time in 2007. They were fun to make.

military02

pen and collage on paper, 2007

military01

pen and collage on paper, 2007

Random collages

These works were inspired by trawling through old children's books in op shops, experimenting with appropriation. 'creaturesoftheforest' is a theme that I will be elaborating upon in the future.

creaturesoftheforest01

pen and collage on paper, 2008

birdstring

pen and collage on paper, 2008

antarctic

pen, watercolour and collage on paper, 2008

eyeontheprize

These works were a move toward illustration. I wanted to juxtapose a naive style with confronting subject matter, however these initial ideas lacked the impact that I was after. I still like them though.

eyeontheprize05

pen on paper, 2008

eyeontheprize04

pen on paper, 2008

eyeontheprize03

pen on paper, 2008

eyeontheprize02

pen on paper, 2008

eyeontheprize01

pen on paper, 2008

Later expressive portraits

I moved on to making more expressive portraits. These ones are an attempt to look more bloody and fleshy. I wanted to highlight humanity, vulnerability and transience.

portrait18

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait17

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait14

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait12

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait09

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait07

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait06

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

Earlier portraits

This set of portraits of self and others mark an important starting point for my work in portraits, and from here move on to a more expressive mode of practice.

portrait05

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait04

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait03

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait02

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

portrait01

pen and watercolour on paper, 2008

Introductory Post

Hi everyone, this is my first post for my blog. I've made this as a means to share my art, to get feedback and to share and discuss inspiration.

Enjoy

:)