Cement

Inspired by the desire to convey strong tonal contrasts and by The Baths of Caracalla (below) by Sir David Young Cameron (1865 - 1945), I spent a few days out in a park near me with lots of overcast weather and little shadow, trying to capture some stark whites and deep blacks. But when the sun broke through the clouds it was pretty amazing! I had the usual dogs trying to eat my work and the little kids peering over my pages to see what I was doing (which I always find quite cute). Unfortunately, both dogs and kids got into trouble by owners and parents, particularly as I was standing drawing in a puddle at one stage to get a good vantage point. I also went to an Alan Davie (Scottish Prints) exhibition for inspiration. Some of his prints reminded me of Aboriginal art in Australia. What I probably found most interesting were those of his prints that used thick chunky lines and opaque black. Anyway, the sum of my inspiration are my prints above. I got asked why I printed one with purple ink and I think the answer to that is that I've discovered I find purple romantic and almost moody. This ties in nicely with my current reading of the gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe. I love all the discussion of noble sentiment and the reading aloud of great works of genius and taste. I also love Emily's repeated fainting fits. I'm planning to go see The RSA New Contemporaries Exhibition next week, see http://www.royalscottishacademy.org/pages/exhibition_frame.asp?id=242. Other than that, I'm off to the Yorkshire countryside for a few days for some exploration, laughs and R&R.