Sunday, May 1, 2011

Around the World in Eighty Seconds



Around the World in Eighty Seconds

12x16 inches

Coloured pencils on gesso primed wood


This artwork was lots of fun to do, but caused me a few headaches in the end. Initially, there was no writing on the globe and then one of my sons commented that he felt it needed some text on the globe. At this point, I had already sprayed with fixative and so the pencil really wasn't adhering to the artwork. I should have known better, but used one of my finest permanent markers to add some text. All was fine, as you can see here, until after scanning this, I sprayed another coat of fixative, at which point all the letters bled into the surrounding areas. At this stage, all I could do was use a damp cloth and remove that whole section and start again. Thankfully this worked Ok, although the ocean now has a slightly more uneven colouring, which I suspect from miles away is how the earth would look anyway. We live and learn!!! :)

11 comments:

Mona Diane Conner said...

A fast pair, these too! I still say the letters and ocean look perfect, and still can't figure out how you make those colored pencils do all this with so much depth.

Unknown said...

Thank you Mona, although this is the before shot - I didn't scan it again after redoing the ocean because it doesn't have the lettering anymore. I can't really explain what I do with the pencils Mona - I am so blessed to have a big range and find all of them useful for different subjects and textures. The funny thing is, whenever I try a different medium, I can't seem to get the same results (I actually started doing this one with gouache, but wasn't happy and washed it all off).

Autumn Leaves said...

Love this whimsical piece, Karen. I also love how your imagination works. That bleeding marker thing is exactly something I have done before. At least you were able to wipe it clean and I think you are right about the variegated colors in the ocean waters.

Unknown said...

Thank you Sherry - Isn't it annoying - I should have listened to that little voice in my head that was screaming Don't do it!!! :)

artbyakiko said...

So many gorgeous new artworks, Karen! You are amazing!! I love this globe with mice and the koala bear. They are so magical! Great job, as always.

Artoholic said...

I LOVE all your meeces to pieces work. Naughty mice like a Beatrix Potter story.

There's nothing like a bit of stress and anxiety when making art, is there!

Unknown said...

Thank you heaps Cindy and Akiko. Mice and cats are my two favourite subjects - can you tell??? Wouldn't it be lovely if we could have the art without the stresses Cindy?!? :))

Wendy Mould AFCA said...

Sounds like this picture was a real adventure as well as a project. It turned out great though. Nice work.

Unknown said...

It was a bit Wendy and thank you for your kind words!!! :)

Debra Keirce said...

I know what you mean about the pencils Karen...I'm the same way. I love acrylic and pencil, watercolor and pencil, gouache and pencil...No matter what I paint with these days, I always feel like it needs some pencil. I guess we all find a medium we click with, and keep going back to it. Lovely piece!

Unknown said...

Thank you heaps Deb and you are so right!!! :)