The decision is made....

digital drawing

digital/ ballpoint pen (in progress)

digital/ ballpoint pen (in progress)

I've been fretting for a while now about my digital drawings: editioning, perception, lack of audience knowledge, etc. etc. which is a sure sign that all is not well. Recent test drawings and thinking about the fading or visible trace/ echo of a touch has helped resolve this (at least for the immediate future). I have finally made a decision - to only produce 1 of each large digital drawing as a giclee print (i.e. no editioning) and to develop the idea of multi layered drawings (hybrids) alongside this. Not only does this mean I am much more comfortable about how it fits into the body of work but the different media will behave differently over time and as a result the drawing will change - giving rise to more ideas about multi layered marks/ repetition. Yesterday I took the plunge and started drawing on top of a large digital drawing with ballpoint pen (I have 2 of this particular print on different papers). The drawing was archivally printed on a photo rag paper and as a result is the most expensive piece of paper I have ever drawn on and the coating is causing some problems but I do feel much happier about where I'm going with all this.

December 2012 (each: 1016 x 1372 mm)

April 2012 Digital Drawings (x6)

Disappearing Act

Now the day job has calmed down I am spending a few hours sorting out studio stuff. I made a decision a few weeks ago to cut my hybrid fade drawing into 4 to make them a more manageable size. It means one of them is well on its way despite very limited time in my studio (above). I am keen to get it into the daylight to see what happens. I know the ballpoint will fade over time - one of my lace drawings done with ballpoint on canvas:

has been on my wall for at least 6 years and although not in direct sunlight has gradually faded to a sepia colour (other drawings have faded to a blue colour due to using a different make of black ballpoint pen). I imagine it will continue to fade until there is only a trace of the original drawing left.

I also know the pencil won't fade - but I have no idea what will happen to the digital part. After spending lots of time (and money) in the past ensuring I use archival paper and ink it will be interesting to see what will happen to a print on standard paper over time.

My second white mini...

The first white mini I owned looked like this:

It was the car I learnt to drive in, passed my test in and whizzed around Leicestershire in for a year or two (without a seat belt for a while which gives a clue as to how long ago it was!) and I loved it. I particularly liked the rusted hole on the drivers side (which was in just the right position to flick ash through).

My second white mini should arrive tomorrow and looks like this:

After a busy 3 months with the day job (and some Christmas money) I have finally succumbed. I did contemplate an android tablet but the apple drawing apps were the deciding factor -I have also spotted a few 'pressure sensitive' styli (styluses?) which made the decision easier. It could be a long while before I do any drawing on it (and the styli are expensive so that will definitely have to wait) but looking forward to the possibilities...