Y is for Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang. Y is that?

Using the alphabet as my structure for this Art Everyday for a Month Challenge blog has proven to be a good way for me to stimulate my creativity.

Within the alphabet limitations I not only need to create art, but each piece needs to fit into my self-imposed structure. Everyday I need to brainstorm possibilities for the letter of the day - and each day something comes to mind. Now, after three years of doing this, the end of the alphabet has not gotten any easier (still no clue what Z will be about tomorrow). So, I am sure you are wondering Y this is about yin and yang.

The image on the page is actually a drawing of a group of tropical flowers - first drawn right side up, then flipped and drawn again so that the images not only cross, but fit together symmetrically to create a new abstract pattern - yin and yang. Once the pattern was in place, I decided to ignore the floral roots and just play with the shapes to see what appears. This was another chance to experiment with Inktense pencils, and add a few lines and details in markers. I like it. do You?

This is 9x12 on watercolor paper.

X is for Xtreme Color Xperiment

Lily

Last year, for Art Everyday Month, I followed a course on Mandala making. Many of the participants raved about Inktense pencils - watersoluble color pencils. I bought a set, and have rarely used them. However, since I am regularly playing with my Caran D'ache watersoluble crayons I thought I would Xperiment today to see the effects of the pencils.

I drew one of my favorite flower photos  on good quality watercolor paper - using the outline pencil in the set. Then I began to color - mixing three reds, and orange and yellow for the blossom, greens and browns for the stem and leaf.  The background is a mixture of blues to emphasize all the colors with a strong contrast. Then I added water. All I can say is WOW! The colors are so vibrant. I will definitely be continuing to experiment with these cool tools.

In Layers

Float

I started this by using a compass to draw a pattern of circles. Then I drew the weaving lines over the circles.

My idea was to use color to identify each circle, cool colors for the circle shapes, warms for the background. I combined medium and fine point sharpie to draw all the lines.

Then I layered more lines to define each circle, and then used thin layers of intense pencil to create the overlapping weave of background color, and added another layer of lines to define the over lapping areas. Then a little more color.

This does not translate well on the screen, but the image on 11x14 drawing paper creates a strong impression of depth.