Saturday 12 February 2011

Week 6




When I went for my week 6 walk to see what the sea had washed up on the shore, I knew there would be lots to choose from. The tide was very high the day before, with a strong wind and the sea water had almost covered the whole shore. I found the tide line was full of a huge collection of assorted objects. Fresh pieces of seaweed in long lengths which I held up and the dangling branches measured up to about two feet. I did notice lots of new pieces with lovely colourings, a project in itself recording the colours. I loved the long green piece with the three big bubbles, the many little branches and the strange double tip right at the top, it had to go on my pages.
The piece I am painting above is a new seaweed, not one I have found before. I selected a black mermaids purse and a black feather from my many finds to complete this double page spread. I used my acrylic inks for this and decided to stipple over the bubbly seaweed with a fine black ink pen. The black pen was then used for the mermaids purse and for the feather too. I later painted the shaft with my brush and coloured inks.
I found so many beautiful pieces of seaweeds, feathers, snail shells, leaves, little shells and seeds. I did wonder if this project might run out of ideas, but it is only the time that runs out. It is hard to choose what to draw as I keep finding such beautiful shaped objects and rich colours and drawing these objects really makes me understand their shapes and form.
I used the three colours of ink, sap green, yellow ochre and burnt umber for my palette and this week the black ink pen. Hope you enjoy seeing them.

Thank you for your lovely comments, I enjoy reading them . Milly x




13 comments:

Diana said...

WOW MIlly they are gorgeous, I too love that seaweed. Truly beautiful. I was taking a bike ride today and thought oh good today Milly will put up her new post of the week. I look forward to it so much. You will have to publish this sketchbook.. Diana

Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns) said...

You never fail to delight with your gorgeous drawings and paintings. I also loved this line, so true of all wonderful things: "I did wonder if this project might run out of ideas, but it is only the time that runs out." I look forward to the next installment.

Von said...

Lovely, I've always enjoyed seaweeds too.

Dan said...

Hi Milly
Lovely delicate colours, and unusual seaweeds. Glad to see I'm not the only one who looks forward to seeing the week's finds.
Dan
-x-

Jill said...

I enjoyed your pages as always, I love your style, always meticulous, but never 'tight', it is full of life. I am interested to know what make of pen you use. I love using a 0.1 fibre pen, and have tried several makes, just wondered if you have a favourite.
Jill

Posie said...

Gorgeous paintings Milly, and lovely photos of them. It was lovely to see a pic of you working on a piece. It is also good to hear about how the beach changes from week to week too, depending on the weather and the tides.

Pondside said...

I love all the movement in this one!

Melody said...

I think that publishing your sketchbook(s)is a WONDERFUL idea! A big delectable and yummy book to enjoy curled up on the couch with a big cup of tea!! :))) Melody

wandering said...

That *is* an interesting piece of seaweed... It's similar to what I used to see on the Dutch coast, near where I grew up. You capture it so beautifully.

Jannette

Frances said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you, Milly!

This sketchbook of yours is a growing treasuretrove. I do agree with other commenters that you'd do well to look into publishing it...after December, of course.

The gifts of nature just seem to dance across those double pages. I can almost hear music.

Thank you also for letting us know which drawing or painting materials you use. Your way of mixing up line and color and of fully exploring harmonies is very, very well done.

It's a continuing pleasure to see what you've found on those marvelous walks. xo

suz said...

Thank you for sharing the colors and tools you use. I love the stippling effect. I discovered that a few years ago and often use that technique - it's subtle, but has a huge impact.

Windsongs and Wordhoards said...

It's so nice to see your materials and palette and the shot of you working on it too... I love the twistyness of the seaweed, feels like you could pick it up off the page. The way you've painted it is so suggestive of its feel and texture, and the feather is fantastic!
Carrie :)

Tammie Lee said...

this piece is wonderful and I love hearing what you used to make them as well as to see the stages. Thank you.