Wednesday 9 March 2011

Attack Of The Sharpie Marker

Hail and Thunder storms last night and sub-zero temperatures the norm; winter seemingly setting back in again. Needing a springtime shot in the arm I flicked through a few sketchbooks from last year and happened upon a few of my usual suspects. I’ve been involved in various discussions on techniques with other artists and this had me looking back at the work I did last year using a ‘Sharpie’ marker pen and additional watercolour and I thought it about time to revisit this technique.


The use of a marker pen as the preliminary drafting tool immediately sets the tone for the work, creating (as it does) a mark quite unlike anything which occurs in nature, any aspiration one may have to render a ‘naturalistic’ image can be put firmly to one side. Closing this door, however, flings open many alternate possibilities. I find that sketching with the ‘Sharpie’ pen is a liberating process – my usual ambitions displaced temporarily, the drawings are, paradoxically, much more akin to the sketchbook work. In fact it occurs to me that, notwithstanding the medium, there seems to be a very direct link to the field drawings and the ‘finished’ work also echoes the philosophy embedded in the sketchbook; investigation and composition - a sense of time and place. The application of watercolour alters the perception again. Colour unites the composition and also harks back to the original observation – the interpretation of which finds solice in the hues.

“Divers, Hovers, Damsels and Midges", "Spring Eiders" and "Skua Family". . .




. . . Sharpie marker on mount board with watercolour applied:

5 comments:

Unknown said...

great pieces tim,particularly like the divers.your knowledge and observation of the subjects shines through here.despite the rapidity of the mark making and the lack of room for error with the marker youv'e caught the gist of each bird perfectly!

Unknown said...

Clear demonstration of your confident line and feeling for your subject matter. An interesting idea for developing better drawing.

Alan Dalton said...

Most inspiring Tim, these are rather special. Shades of Ennion, Greenhalf and Busby in these wonderful scenes from the birds you share home with....

Susan said...

You show your versatility with these delightful drawings,Tim. And I wanted to let you know - I am thoroughly enjoying your book. Well done!

Måns Sjöberg said...

I agree with everybody! Taste and simplicity at its best!