Gulls, surf and monoprints - a process

 

Process for some new monoprints   surf and gulls   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Using the sketches from my circular sketchbook as a jumping point I spent a rather fun day making some monoprints. Not everything worked - and that is good as it means lessons are being learnt - but some did. So not only do I have some new prints for the Folksy store but I also have a pile of 'not quite there yet' prints to work into in mixed media which I am just as excited about. I am particularly excited about the prints made in the second pass with the circular mask removed. The resulting subtlety of the circular motif is something I think I can manipulate further.

Below are some of the pairs of initial prints with their second pass partners - I really like the second pass for the different sketchy marks and where there wasn't enough ink to transfer as I think it suits the subject in this case. I have lots more ideas to play with that will keep me busy.

 

Process for some new monoprints   surf and gulls   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Process for some new monoprints   surf and gulls   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Some of my gull series are available at RedBubble in their different reproduction print formats. As framed prints which style of framing do you prefer?

Surf Spray Gull series   available at RedBubble  ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

A circular sketchbook - mixed media storms, waves & gulls

 

I started a new pocket sketchbook at the beginning of the year. I have prepped the pages with tissue some marked with ink by drying prints others with watercolour marks. Each page will have a composition made within a circle. I am hoping that I will learn things about composition from a change in format. I am allowing myself to spill outside of the circle as the mood takes me. I will probably stick to grey, indigo and white to take away the decision fatigue of choosing palettes. I like the consistency in these small sketchbooks when reviewing sketches over a longer period of time. 

I used to work within circles quite often in watercolour so it feels, at least to begin with, like I am revisiting old ground with new eyes. Of course the sea, as always is present and so too are the gulls that circle and swoop within my work. At least that is how it is starting although that isn't necessarily how the sketchbook will finish. It does rather fell like the start of a voyage in a way...

Circle sketchbook page   watercolour and mixed media   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Circle sketchbook page   watercolour and mixed media   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Circle sketchbook page   watercolour and mixed media   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

A gentle tide - monoprint

 

A Gentle Tide   monoprint 9.5x9.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Ohhhh I do love monoprinting! It is such an immediate and responsive way to work and generate ideas. I love the diffused tones that can be achieved....drawing with ink .....the suggestive marks...the messiness of it all (at least when I do it).

This is one of my favourite ones from a recent monoprinting session. It has the movement of the tide that I was aiming for. It is available here in my Folksy store.

Salt Water Shallows - Fabric, Wallpaper and Home Accessories

 

Salt Water Shallows in Yellow and Lavender a collection on fabrics, wallpaper and home accessories available from Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Here we have it Salt Water Shallows a new collection of co ordinating patterns that can be mixed and matched for your personal salt water sanctuary. In five colour families inspired by the coast and treasures collected at the beach - available from Spoonflower.

Yellow and lavender for a sunny living room or cosy reading nook.

Salt Water Shallows in Yellow and Lavender a collection on fabrics, wallpaper and home accessories available from Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Sea sage green for kitchen and dining....

Salt Water Shallows in Sea Sage Green a collection on fabrics, wallpaper and home accessories available from Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Or maybe warm terracotta, reminiscent of coral and seashells..

Salt Water Shallows in Warm Terracotta a collection on fabrics, wallpaper and home accessories available from Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Perhaps a bedroom in soothing deep duck egg and frosted mint aqua...

Salt Water Shallows in Deep Duck Egg & Frosted Mint a collection on fabrics, wallpaper and
home accessories available from Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Or the depth of warm evenings of summertime blues?

Salt Water Shallows in Summertime Blues a collection on fabrics, wallpaper and home accessories available from Spoonflower   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

For each colour family there is a selection of plain solid colours, pin stripes and all over dotty co-ordinating fabrics, wallpaper and accessories to combine with one or more of the main patterns. Spoonflower can reproduce the designs on a range of fabric from cotton and linen to chiffon and velvet to even further personalise your choice.

Some of the designs are a little smaller in scale which makes them ready to use in smaller craft projects.

The main designs are also available from RedBubble for further choices in accessories, for example aprons, mugs, coasters, tote bags, scarves and notebooks. I rather like some of the patterns on the summer dresses from RedBubble too. 

Colour palettes for a new Fabric and Wallpaper Collection.

 

I thought I would share how I start to play with colours and choose palettes for new pattern collections in fabric and wallpaper. I am very drawn at the moment to yellows, ochres and soft lilacs which feels like a big leap from the teals, blues and turquoise I have turned to in painting and printmaking lately.

Palette Inspiration Golden Yellow and Lavender   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

I am very inspired by this postcard that I picked up at the Russell-Cotes Museum of 'Magpie or Still Life with Magpie by Clementina M Hull 1866-1908. It may not come across in this picture but the colours are both subtle and vibrant and the complimentaries sing beautifully against each other. I need the cheerful colour in the middle of Winter amidst all the grey and dark.


Isolating the colours and curating them with shells, objects from my collections and paint swatches that I have painted is an interesting exercise. I like to move physical objects around and lay them on painted swatches as it feels more real than just manipulating on a screen. I want to see how colour behaves in different light and how it will drape around a form like fabric will in real life. It helps me to imagine how it can be used within a real setting. 

Colour Inspiration Sea Sage   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Palette Inspiration Summertime Blues   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Colour Inspiration Deep Duck Egg  ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Isn't the koi door handle and plate above stunningly beautiful? This is from the Russell-Cotes Museum too. The stripes are from corrugated plastic roofing on Boscombe pier - not quite so artisan and romantic but colour inspiring in its own way.

Colour Inspiration Warm Terracotta   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

This gorgeous botanical sample was photographed at an exhibition of May Morris designs last year. It was amazing to see the drawings, watercolours and evolution of her designs along side the finished work. 

You can see from these palettes that I am a bit of a magpie too, always collecting treasures, making connections. Sometimes the flotsam and jetsam takes years to surface and influence work but I think the benefit of time is important, ideas need to evolve and percolate waiting for the right moment.

The new Collection will hopefully be ready to share next week or the week after, I have been working away on them since December and am partway through loading them onto Spoonflower. 

Little Beach Treasures - a new sketchbook

 

Little beach treasures sketchbook pages   watercolour   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

A new sketchbook to record treasures found. It will include shells, pottery sherds, pebbles, driftwood, seaweed and any other interesting bits and pieces that I find and make their way home in my pocket. I think this sketchbook will be quite the visual diary. It is small, about 12x12cm, so nothing too intimidating, the sketches can only be to a certain level of detail. It will be my version of morning pages and will encourage me to keep my watercolour practice going. I have been finding it hard to keep up lately with other projects taking up all my time but hopefully this will be my motivation.

2026 Drawing Projects - February Poppy Seedheads

 

Poppy seedheads from my garden  coloured pencil on buff paper   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

This months drawing of poppy seedheads was deceptively tricky to draw. Although the shapes are simple the subtle colouring is a different story. The tones are warm to neutral with  surprising amount of warm blue/lavender - hopefully I have done them justice. 

New Coastal Monoprints

 

Winter Moon   monoprint 12.5x12.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

More monoprints from recent printing sessions....

 Moonshine   monoprint 12.5x12.5cm   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

A collection are available in my Folksy store.

2026 Drawing Project - January Holly Leaves

 It has begun... my 2026 drawing project. I am pausing drawing shells for this year and turning to plants, seeds and leaves that I can find either in my garden or in the local area. All the same themes will be a focus; shape, structure, tone, details... there are lots of similarities but they are different enough for new challenges and discoveries. 

Holly Leaf inspiration   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Holly Leaf inspiration   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

To kick off the year and the inspiration for this years project are these rather lovely decaying holly leaves. They are such a joy to draw that I have covered two pages in my sketchbook - in the second page I have increased the scale to really enjoy both detail and colour. Unfortunately good light for photographing the pages isn't great today and my lamp is shining on the paper surface a bit much on one side - apologies.

Whilst drawing the veins in the leaves I am reminded of coral that I have drawn in years gone by. Also it is interesting to note that in the very decayed leaves secondary veins run parallel to the stem as well as branching off from it. I haven't observed this before. Every day is a school day.

Decaying Holly Leaves   sketchbook page coloured pencil   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Decaying Holly Leaves   sketchbook page coloured pencil   ©2026LisaLeQuelenec

Shell Seekers - new design collection for fabric and wallpaper

 

A new collection of designs in response to a design challenge on Spoonflower - the brief was Delft Tile.

I fell down a rabbit hole researching and wanted to emulate the calming, serene, peaceful and unhurried feelings the antique tiles evoke. Once the main design was created  I couldn't help but make a selection of co-ordinates, in what I hope could be used to make a peaceful sanctuary to retreat to. 

All the designs can bs viewed here in my Spoonflower store. Stationery and home accessories can be found here in my RedBubble shop.