Hybrid Drawings and 'The Mark' exhibition

Hybrid Draw #3 (Fade), 1016 x 1372 mm

I've finished a couple of Hybrid drawings - both from the 'Fade' series using a ballpoint pen on top of a digital drawing. The first was on an archival print and the second (above) on an uncoated matt paper. The coated paper was (as expected) a nightmare as the pen lifted the coating is I wasn't really careful - the uncoated was much easier (and I shall be interested to see if the print fades alongside the biro). What was unexpected was how the same biro mark looked a completely different colour on the different papers. The uncoated paper gave a  red sheen to the drawing. I imagine it will fade to a brownish colour - but who knows? I intend to do more hybrid drawings ...
On a different note I will be exhibiting in 'The Mark' at the Harrington Studios in June. Curated by David Manley it will be a group exhibition of large drawings and I am very excited by possible other artists who will be exhibiting alongside me whose work I have wanted to see for a while. More info can be found here and I'll update once the other artists are confirmed.

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.