maps

I'm currently embarking on a project that involves creating an illustrated map. I've never done a map before, and I'm still going through my usual trouble of creating interesting linework and not knowing how to add colour to it, so it should be an interesting journey. I have been experimenting with using pen and ink instead of fineliner at the moment and it seems to be working quite well for me, shame I spilt half of my black ink pot all over my desk at uni the other day though! Here's a page from my sketchbook with some pen and ink experiments..

I also went to the Tate in St. Ives today, and saw their exhibition of Dexter Dalwood's paintings and collages. I'd never heard of Dalwood before, but I enjoyed the way that he used collages as a starting point for his large oil paintings - the way he faithfully reproduces the images, right down to the torn edges and cut pieces of paper was visually stunning. I also found the back stories of each piece quite interesting, particularly the series of interior paintings that represented events in popular history.

Soon I will be starting another blog - a film review blog - which will include illustrations and my own writing. I'm not really expecting a big readership but it'll make a good hobby and a good project in the meantime.