Creative block is a topic I keep revisiting because my thoughts on what it is and how to overcome it are always evolving. Creative block is an umbrella term which includes, but is not limited to, creativity fatigue, artist's block, and the more well-known writer's block. I've read a lot of articles and blog posts … Continue reading Your creative treasure chest
A tree on INPRNT.com and a promo code
I've just finished a rather large pen and ink and watercolour of an antarctic beech; those magnificent Gondwana relics, which I am blessed to live in the same state as. I have a collection of photos of two rather old trees in particular from several different pilgrimages. Unfortunately that still wasn't enough for a faithful … Continue reading A tree on INPRNT.com and a promo code
Big inspiration from small creative superstars
It's school holidays, cool and wet and unfortunately we had to go in to a three day lockdown in the first week of the mid-year break. My daughter already had some friends over, so we decided to do an art session to keep our minds off the big world out there. I covered the dining … Continue reading Big inspiration from small creative superstars
Challenges of nature journaling
One of the challenges of any nature journaling for the purposes of learning is finding a balance between enjoyment and enlightenment. So far I'm achieving both, but not without some conscious decision-making. This has not been a passive sketching project. There are thousands of species of ferns, from many different groups - many I've never … Continue reading Challenges of nature journaling
Ferns: a continuation of a visual journal
I have an appreciation for the diversity and charm of ferns, but I'm not a botanist, so defining their form isn't always easy - understanding their taxonomy and phylogeny even less so, but that matters less to me than the act of journaling. My homage to ferns is mostly meditative, and it is lovely to … Continue reading Ferns: a continuation of a visual journal
More bovines, plus some wonderfully weird goats
Living bovines (from the family Bovidae, subfamily Bovinae) come in many shapes and sizes. Some of them could be mistaken for antelopes, which occupy a seperate subfamily (Antilopinae) within Bovidae. From musk ox to ibex and barbery sheep, members of the subfamily Caprinae, on the other hand, are unmistakable and just a bit more difficult … Continue reading More bovines, plus some wonderfully weird goats
Bovine appreciation
I have been busy with painting doors and walls, and making concoctions on with a newly installed cooker so there hasn't been a lot of time for art. Nevertheless, I managed to find a little time at night for journaling; I decided to draw something simple, but enjoyable - sketches of bovine heads in coloured … Continue reading Bovine appreciation
What tinnitus tastes like
I produce a lot of monochromatic (sometimes two-hued) artwork, such as in the top three recent entries in various sketchbooks. Mostly, I think this is just aesthetic preference, with a side order of apprehension over colour-coordination. I have always had an unusual relationship with colour, mostly because what makes sense to others doesn't necessarily make … Continue reading What tinnitus tastes like
Fern journal continued
Here’s another two pages from the fern journal. I’m loving this journal and can’t wait to see it filled. Ferns from Eupodium and Marattia genera Right now the ferns are fairly easy to draw, but harder ones with more more complex leaves are coming, especially ferns with tripinnate and bipinnate-pinnatifid leaves. Each new fern brings … Continue reading Fern journal continued
Doodling matters
I have a small confession: I am self-conscious about doodling, but I really want to do it. I can approach many illustrations or paintings with a degree of confidence, but the thought of making a page of doodles makes me balk. Not because I am prejudice against doodling, but because I was convinced I couldn’t … Continue reading Doodling matters