Thursday 19 February 2015

Exploring is Fun!!

After my first couple of efforts with pen & ink 'hatching' I was determined to find out more about types of hatch and how to hatch. It quickly became apparent that it's not just a case of laying down lots of parallel lines. The direction of hatch, the tightness of the hatch, whether or not the lines are straight or curved, and a score of other factors all contribute to whether the shaded area looks natural or not. So, to that end, I'm exploring 'hatching' in particular and pen and ink work in general.


I'd taken a photograph of this Castle Door when visiting York Castle many years ago and gave me a chance to show the different textures between the wooden door and the old worn stonework.

 






This is the Town Hall (and Museum) in Royal Wootton Basset. Built in 1690 it is in a mock Tudor style and stands on 15 stone pillars. No rough stone in this one but the roof provided a different texture for me to try.











For something completely different I attempted a flower. I don't think the delicacy of the Tulip shows through but I'm pleased with it's overall shape and form.











This old Yorkshire Lime Kiln provided an opportunity to just run riot with the hatching and was great fun. Back in 2011 I attempted this same drawing also in pen and ink but the results were very poor. My effort back then made it look as if the kiln had been painted with camouflage stripes. I'm much happier this time and very pleased that I've made some progress.




Exploring any new medium/method/technique is all about trying things out and taking note of what does work and what doesn't. There's no doubt that I'm really enjoying pen and ink right now, even the things that didn't work quite as I'd hoped.








21 comments:

  1. It really looks like fun too, John! I love how you even tried it on a tulip, and very successfully!

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    1. Thank you Judy. Yes, it is fun and I find the hatching to be very therapeutic.

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  2. This is first class stuff, John, you've really got it. Hatching I do my own way, and cross-hatching I seldom use. I use different thickness's of line all the time to get value changes. I can't see if you vary the thickness: the old eyes can't focus that well on small work

    The Wootton Bassett building is right outside of the front door of the bank I used for 30 years. Most of my friends live in 'Bassett'

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    1. Thank you John, you're very kind. I am varying the thickness of line and the spacing but am still very much finding my way a cross-hatching is a great 'rescuer'.
      Interesting that you know 'Bassett' so well ... it's a lovely place.

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  3. Beautiful pen work. I admire the evenness of your marks when do make the curved shapes. That's something I've yet to master! Thanks!

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    1. I can't believe there isn't anything you haven't mastered Katherine ... your work is exquisite. You're very kind .... thank you.

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    1. Thank you Ann .... lovely to see you here. ;-)

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  5. Fantastic drawings John. When I zoomed on the drawings you can clearly see your outstanding work on the hatching!!

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  6. All brilliant Drawings John, Full marks. All the best.
    Vic.

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  7. Great works, and zooming in you really get how precise and accurate they are !

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    1. Zooming in? Gulp!!!
      Thank you Jane, you're very kind. ;-)

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  8. Well John, you get better and better with age. LOL ! Your efforts here are all excellent examples and I like the variety. Love the curves of the tulip, but MY favorite is the castle door..
    BJ

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    1. Hey, less of the age thing!! lol. Thank you for your lovely comment BJ.

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  9. It´s so fun to visit here and see your love of drawing. It really shows in your art. They are all perfect!

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    1. What a lovely comment Catharina, thank you very much. ;-).

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  10. It certainly doesn't appear that you have anything to learn about hatching here John! A lovely selection of accomplished drawings indeed! :0)

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    1. Thank you Sandra, that's very much appreciated. ;-)

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  11. I really do like your illustration work John and these are no exception. Seeing your door reminded me of a joke I heard - When is a door not a door? The answer, well .... when it's ajar! Ha ha...

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