Pounding waves - sketchbook page

 

Sketchbook page - watercolour, pencils and acrylic pen ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

After some exacting, delicate and detail work it is always nice to break out into a sketchbook for some pounding surf. You can see in this photo how the paper was starting to get destroyed as the surface balled up. I will be having a mini blogging break for the next couple of weeks to catch up on real life things but will be back soon. Have a great week!

New repeat pattern - Coastal collection trellis design

 

I have a new pattern to share, an addition to my Coastal Collection on Spoonflower. This trellis design features motifs used in the collection and is available in the same colourways to co-ordinate with all the previous designs.

Coastal collection trellis design available at Spoonflower ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Each of the neutrals and blues side by side for comparison. I am in the process of revising the designs to add an additional white background to all the co-ordinates in the collection if blue and crisp white is more your style.

Coastal collection trellis design available at Spoonflower ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Coastal collection trellis design available at Spoonflower ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Above are some of the co-ordinating designs available.

Coastal collection trellis design available at Spoonflower ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Recently Spoonflower have added metallic silver and gold to their wallpaper range. I am not normally a shiny kind of girl but I have fallen in love the way the blue on taupe colours have printed on silver. My absolute favourite though is how the navy version looks on silver and gold - so rich and dramatic, it completely changes the feel. I haven't really thought about how coastal themes could be used to such effect but I rather like it.

Each of the colours, along with the co-ordinating patterns and plains can be found in their own collection here on the collections page in my store.

Coastal collection trellis design available at Spoonflower ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Alternatively the design can also be found in my RedBubble store in the Coastal Collection there. The motifs are also available as framed prints in each colour variation with framing options.

Coastal collection prints available at RedBubble ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I find it so thrilling that the technology and platforms exist that enable creatives to design and produce such a range of ideas and products. I never dreamed that I would be able to do this at the beginning of my career. Exciting times!

Emerging - Broken but Still Beautiful - June

 

Emerging   mixed media on paper 33x75cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

A much bigger beauty for June, I felt like a larger scale and a bit of blue. I think it suits her - loud and proud.

Using a swordliner brush in the background for the sinuous lines that I feel echo both shell and the idea of water, it felt good to stretch a bit. I used a combination of watercolour, watersoluble pencils, gouache and acrylic ink to get the darkest darks. Back to pencil next month I think.

Emerging   mixed media   prints, stationery and accessories available at RedBubble   ©2024LisaLeQulenec

Shorelines - mixed media and collages

 

Sometimes it feels like you are working away and not getting anywhere fast and then all of a sudden things click into place and pieces are all finished at once. That is what has happened this week for me, it has been like waiting for the tide. Four small mixed media and collage pieces inspired by the colours and textures of the shoreline. I am feeling drawn to the very edge or meeting point of sea and sand. 

All four are available in my Etsy Store.

On The Shoreline I   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

On The Shoreline I   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

On The Shoreline II   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

On The Shoreline II   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn I   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn I   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn II   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn I   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Little treasures from the shore

Auger shells ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Look at these little beauties found in Scotland. I have never found these before though I believe they can be found here in the South. I may have jigged a little happy dance when I spotted the first one 😊 The colours are many and are really subtle when you look closely. I picked up these three for the variation in their colouring, the photo doesn't do them justice.

The treasures in the photo below are from a more recent trip to Kimmeridge, I think they make a nice potential palette.

Pebble, limpet, seaweed and plastic ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

A little blue book of blue

Sketchbook pages from my little blue book. I'm about halfway through this little square sketchbook (14x14cm) it has a blue cover as apposed to the usual black ones and so I am using only blue inside....a bit easier for me I know. Maybe next time I will brave a red cover and only use red...only joking!  I don't think I could manage that.

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

 

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spiral inspiration

 

Spiral inspiration from paper trimmings ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Inspiration really is everywhere! Aren't these spirals just perfect. Trimmings from paintings I was getting ready to mount. I feel a new pattern coming on....

They remind me of Karl Blossfeldt photographs.

Broken but still beautiful V

 

Broken But Still Beautiful V

A little bit of a change this month - after starting out in pencil I thought this one was a dramatic enough shape to explore in ink with more extreme tonal contrasts. I quite like the stronger background. 

Stages of Broken But Still Beautiful V  A4-ish acrylic ink  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

This month's model was acquired in Longniddry, Scotland. I was astonished at the size of the shells I found there. The majority of the whelks (and scallops) that I found there were at least twice/three times the size of the largest ones that I find along the South Coast (size comparison in the photo below). I collected a few beautifully broken ones and one with the most stunning 'pashmina' of barnacles. I will save this one for later in the year, maybe an extra large version when I can work outside... 

Whelks ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Submerge / Descend monoprint and mixed media

 

I was itching to play with my usual inky blues so indulged myself for a day with some monoprinting...

Submerge monoprint and mixed media 9.5x15cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Details from a lino stamp used in pebble monoprints   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I enjoyed experimenting with layers of thick and thin ink and how they interacted. I used lots of ink extender for very thin and transparent layers (it works much like glaze medium in oil and acrylic painting). Once the prints were dry some pebbles were collaged in and extra white ink drawn in to enhance the light/current/flow. I wanted the feeling of being pulled gently under water.

Descend I -IV   monoprint and mixed media 9.5x15cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

The same prints just playing with layouts - seeing how they speak to each other/if they speak to each other.

Descend I - IV   monoprint and mixed media 9.5x15cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Sometimes erosion seems to happen quickly and violently as in a storm but sometimes it is the persistent, gradual and slow process of wearing surfaces over many years that leads up to the big event. I think this is true of painting/printing too. Some days you feel like you have made leaps in your work but it is all the days where tiny little steps have been made that are important to get to your goal. Slow and persistent - the message that I take from the sea.

The two prints at the top in the above photograph are available in my Etsy store  and the lower two are available in my Folksy store.

Spring or sea glass greens - coastal collage and mixed media

 

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A4ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Sand and water ripples ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

So much inspiration in this photograph...the colours and textures especially. I'm not sure what people think when they see me taking pictures of soggy sand but I am quite happy in my world 😊 This photograph could be the route of a lifetimes work there is so much that appeals to me.

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A4ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Ripples in the sand ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A5ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I have always been drawn to green stones, probably because they are rare here, and have some lovely green serpentine from Cornwall. The very pale textured pebble in the photo I am at a loss as to what it is but would love to know. The mintyness is lovely.

A selection of minty green pieces are available in my Folksy Store.

Trying out a little video - after much messing around with editing this is my first effort!

Ripples and reflections ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Piddock made hagstones ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Hag stones made by piddocks are a bit more unusual here too, I normally find them made by tidal erosion. The perfect circles put me in mind of Barbera Hepworth's sculptures and one of my favourite quotes from her:

'Many people select a stone or pebble to carry for the day, the weight and form and texture felt in our hands relates to the past and gives us a sense of universal force. The beautifully shaped stone washed up by the sea is a symbol of continuity a silent image of our desire for survival, peace and serenity.'    - Barbara Hepworth