BLOGANUARY 2025 DAY 18
I’ve been thinking about expanding my illustrations to include backgrounds, so that perhaps I can put my birds in a context if need be. I have painted trees in gouache before but I don’t feel they reflect the same style, and also, I want something quick and easy. I don’t ever use shading on my birds, and most of the trees I’ve seen in gouache utilise the layering and strong contrast that is so brilliant about the medium, but I have always used it for its flat matte finish which scans brilliantly, as well as its quick drying time and strong pigments.
Time to get out my sketchbook. I really like these by one of my favourite artists, Julian Opie, and I wondered if a similar style would work with the birds. I need to practise using these with some illustrations but I played around with my leftover paint:
I like them and I think it’ll be worth me experimenting with the designs. I really want to have something which doesn’t detract from the birds but gives me some options for posters and non-logbook uses.
What do you think?
