Here are previous posts on Marquetry
Hoping to inspire and encourage those interested in drawing or painting to have-a-go.
Sunday 19 March 2023
Flowers design for drawers
Wednesday 15 March 2023
Nothing ventured....
I did this Pen and Ink Wash drawing some years ago. Although it hangs on the wall in my study, it has been largely forgotten, which is a shame because it was one of those special, 'first attempt' revelations, like we've all had at various stages along our art journey. Rather than write about it again, the experience for me can be summed up by the opening and closing comments I made at the time on my Work-In-Progress page.
I begin:-
I've never tried using ink washes but it's something that appeals, probably because of my love of Pen and Ink. I haven't done any research nor watched anything on YouTube so I'm very much making this up as I go along. What I've decided to do is draw a building using Fineliner pens and then add shadows and shading using diluted ink applied by brush. I have no idea how it's going to turn out ... could be a disaster.
and I close:-
Well, what a learning experience that was. Like every 'new' medium we try, the unexpected can be a pain or a joy. Overall, though there are many things I've learned about working with ink, this experience was more joy than pain. The way the neat ink bled into wet pale washes was superb. A few areas are darker than I wanted but learning to control the ink was half the fun, and I love the way some patches have purple hues in them. This is certainly something I will do again and I'm keen to try different inks .... Sepia might give some interesting results.
Thursday 9 March 2023
Harley Davidson
Having gone through a long spell of not drawing anything significant, I fancied trying something challenging and something that I haven't tried before. I've always liked the way silver and chrome can be easily replicated using graphite pencils and I had the urge to find a chrome subject to play with. I couldn't get inspired by the numerous pictures of silver teapots, cutlery, and shiny ornaments but I eventually found something that hit the spot. I chose this picture of a classic Harley Davidson motorbike.
The picture isn't very large. I decided on A4 size (8.3"x11.7") Daler Rowney Smooth Cartridge paper and it's the first time I've used it. For a smooth paper it took many layers of graphite quite well. With the benefit of hindsight I wish I'd used something larger but that's only because it might have made some of the complex areas a little easier. For anyone interested I've put a better explanation and a step-by-step Work In Progress page on my main website.
Sunday 5 March 2023
Pyrography - Second attempt.
Thursday 2 March 2023
Trying my hand at Pyrography
Thursday 23 February 2023
Iris
Friday 17 February 2023
Second attempt - A different technique
I've now had a second go at marquetry using a different technique. Without getting technical, the first one was done using the "window" method and this one using the "Double Bevel" method. This technique involves cutting two veneers at the same time, but that ensures the shapes fit together better, with much fewer gaps and a much tighter fit. So that I had a sound comparison between the two methods I used the same Robin picture as before, but reversed. What I hadn't expected (though I should have) was the huge effect the veneer choices had. The two Robins look quite different from each other and although I'm happier that this piece is more technically sound, I prefer the overall look of the first piece despite its faults. Lots to learn, that's for sure. ;)