I recently bought three water soluble graphite pencils, 8B, 6B, and 4B, and have been trying them out.
Here in these samples, I've worked on an enlarged and cropped section from a photo of a metal suspension bridge structure. It had printed out in unexpected and unrepeatable colours thanks to the fact that I had ignored the warning on my printer that an ink cartridge need replacing ... just shows it doesn't always pay to heed warnings!
I then added simple extended lines to the image and filled in some of the negative spaces with the graphite pencils where I felt something might be gained.
I'm interested in the way the extra lines and graphite shading around the central circle seem to give added perspective and depth. They bring forward the black bridge structure and throw the fine lines of the bridge cable back.
I then cropped further, rotated and altered the colour in Photoshop.
... Some ideas to use in my stitching?
Here in these samples, I've worked on an enlarged and cropped section from a photo of a metal suspension bridge structure. It had printed out in unexpected and unrepeatable colours thanks to the fact that I had ignored the warning on my printer that an ink cartridge need replacing ... just shows it doesn't always pay to heed warnings!I then added simple extended lines to the image and filled in some of the negative spaces with the graphite pencils where I felt something might be gained.
I'm interested in the way the extra lines and graphite shading around the central circle seem to give added perspective and depth. They bring forward the black bridge structure and throw the fine lines of the bridge cable back.
I then cropped further, rotated and altered the colour in Photoshop.
... Some ideas to use in my stitching?
These look fun and interesting, Margaret. They remind me of the graphic work of Alexander Rodchenko and other Constructivist artists. I love your combination of the delicate light filled colours with the black. I am intrigued to see how your stitching will work with these.
ReplyDeleteVery many thanks. Olga. I too am wondering how stitching will work with these ... a minimalist approach might be the answer, I think! They were bits of incidental play / doodle. In an idle moment, I looked at the image of the bridge structure and wondered ... what if I cropped and extended?
DeleteI will look at Rodchenko's work - your links are always food for thought.
Definitly worth playing with, no matter how you came to these images ... gorgeous ... They will look great stitched as well !
ReplyDeleteVery many thanks, Sharron. My chief problem with them is working out HOW to stitch them so that I add to what is already a strong image. Right now I'm trying a minimalist approach but later I may well try something different. Keep watching!
DeleteWhat an absolutely fascinating process!! And with such intriguing results. Can't wait to see how you proceed.....
ReplyDeleteThese water soluble graphite pencils are lovely. They are soft and give very textured line and really subtle effects.
DeleteHave you tried them? If not ... do! I can see your lovely drawing and watercolours combining to very interesting effect with them.
Some interesting experiments here and to hear about your good experience with Fingerprint.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
Thank you, Jackie. Good to hear from you.
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