Little Forks and One Big ...

I did a sort of dangerous thing and signed up for this decorator sale site

which means that everyday I am sent these emails that have great sales on fabulous things

of course I don't have the fabulous designer type home to fit them in

it is more that slightly scruffy much loved type abode

not to mention the damage I could do to the bank balance

It is fun to dream and oohh and aahhh over all the loveliness

but not give in to the temptation to buy things I really don't need

Until the other day when this bone handled cutlery was up on the page

I started doing sums in my head and planning and plotting

how I could justify the purchase

but luckily for all concerned I was saved by my impressive degree of procrastination

and when it come time to hit that purchase button they were sold out

I was instantly plunged into a state of despair tinged with a glean of relief

and to help ease the pain/ guilt/ relief

I decided to source some pics and paint them up

which is a much cheaper alternative ...

I love how it turned out and it is almost as good as owning them

and because I have had some people ask about my process lately

this is how I got to the end result ...

I started with a line drawing using pen

realize that I have composed it a bit wonky and so added the extra fork and knife

have another look and curse that the last fork is bigger

pretend that the other forks are small on purpose

after all I have big forks and little forks in my set so I figure I can get away with it

Step 2 is to add some water colour... splotch it on in stronger colours

and try to just get the tones and shadows in

I always try to look to underlying colours and really see the variety of shades

so in these there were light bone coloured areas, but also darker golden brown

and even some yellowy highlights

as well as some bone and brownish reflections in the steel parts

so I try to get these in the right places

I also that I have had my hand on the left hand fork and smudged it

so go and make a cup of tea

This next stage is the stage that always does my head in just a littler bit

I strengthen up some colours and shadows

then knock them back with some gouache

it always looks a bit like a dog's breakfast at this stage

and there are all sorts of parts that freaked me out a bit

and I got a touch cranky thinking I was going to have a rubbish page in my sketchbook

so I went and had a piece of chocolate and contemplated how I was going to pull it together

I then went into procrastination mode and put on a load of washing

threw some toys for thew dog

even though he shows no interest in fetching them

which means I am just standing in the garden throwing dog toys

while he sits and watches me which is a new low in the avoidance stakes

so big girl pants go on and I get back to it

add some shadows to make the colours pop and strenthen the lines with pen

and I am thinking this is looking pretty good

the dog throwing obviously did the trick because I have pulled it together

so a few final touches and strengthening up and darkening some bits

and a fork is in it and she is done ...

I know it is hard to see the differences, but they are there

and it is always those last few lines and highlights that somehow finish it off

Of course I am now thinking I need to get some bone cutlery

because I really want to draw it some more times

so here is crossing fingers that I can find some soon ... xx

My last two posts links are ...

New Colours and  a Tea Party ...

Putting My Happy On ....