Doing some art for fun for me

I shut my studio today and am taking a winter break and a chance to go and seek some new inspirations. So, I decided to add a drawing on my studio front window backed by a vertical blind.

The piece would be drawn using Posca markers. In the end I used a mix of 5M and 8K markers. The piece evolved as I drew it. For a few years now I have done a few pieces with silver birch trees which I like. so the idea was a woodland with several trees, based on some photos taken at RSPB Arne a few weeks ago where there are areas of birch trees.

RSPB Arne, Wareham

Once I had started I realised I needed some new larger white markers. Ideas from a Dorset artist based in Lyme Regis meant that I added a sun which I then circled with a border of bronze and then gold which was echoed in the start of the suns rays I decided to add later.

Sun added, then borders, then the idea of rays

The advantage of drawing on the glass meant that I could wipe away areas of the design and add new ideas as shown here, after I had started adding the sky blue background.

Sun rays include border links of bronze and gold

I then needed to clear a box to contain information on when I would be reopening. So using some ideas taught to me by Malcolm who does the windows in the Swanage Oxfam book store. A paper version of the sign writing written in reverse and taped to the outside of the window. It made my presentation better and also the writing didn’t slope off as I find myself doing off drawing freehand.

Using a reverse master on the other side of the window

Once added in black I coloured the box in silver which seems to work well and is different from the design that it is inserted within.

Text box gives information visitors need

The next stage was adding leaves / vegetation below. I extended to coverage of blue for the sky. A choice of four green shades and squiggles being the best description I added vegetation below the text box.

The final stage was using a black marker to add bark markings to the birch trunks and small branch details.

Birch details

Final piece

I m very pleased with the outcome.

Drawn in 4 shop shifts and rests for drawing standing up, allowing layers to dry… my largest drawing ever as previous pieces have been A3 or some panoramas that are the equivalent of A2 – this drawing measures about 1.50 x 1.05 m.

It has already become a talking point and questions about whether I may do more similar pieces in the future.

When questioned by one fellow shopkeeper why I was doing such a big piece – I gave the simple and honest answer, I was doing my own art for fun.

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