Scintillating II & III - drypoint prints

 

Scintillating II   drypoint 8x15cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Hot on the heels of the first print no.2  and no.3 in the series.

Prints in the edition are available in my Folksy and Etsy stores.

Scintillating II   drypoint 8x15cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Scintillating III   drypoint 8x15cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

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

Land or Sea? - collage and mixed media

Untitled A4ish collage and mixed media on paper ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Pebbles colour inspiration ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I am pushed and pulled on the tide.. is the series about the pebbles or the sea each new piece seems to change its' focus first land is more dominant then the sea....is this a metaphor.....? Edges, relationships, boundaries, liminal, erosion, words that are scribbled in my sketchbook.

Untitled A4ish collage and mixed media on paper ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Detail - Untitled A4ish collage and mixed media on paper ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Sand Ripples ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted! A virus got the better of me and then ten days of road trip travelling as far up as Edinburgh and Whitby to Liverpool across with a stop off in York has kept me away. So much inspiration on the trip and much beach treasure gathered.

I will be reopening my Etsy shop again soon. There has been quite a few changes since it was last open so a steep learning curve to get up to scratch but hopefully I will be ready in the next couple of weeks. Some of these new works will be available there.

Mixed media collage - tide patterns

 

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A5ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A5ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Tide patterns ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Sand ripples ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Thinking about the patterns left by wind and water on the sand, how it forms ripples and carves hills and troughs - the traces left behind.

Worn by water and wind   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

So many of my reference photos have dogs walking through, sometimes Lu sometimes randoms... I think she shows the scale rather well in this one though. The pattern has formed by dry sand catching on the textures made by the sea as it is blown across the beach. This photo was taken in Jersey where the large and rapid tides make large shapes. By contrast the photo below is much smaller in scale.

The trail of water flowing back to the sea, navigating the pebbles left behind   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Lokta - media experiments on new to me paper and gathering resources

 

Top right - experiments with different media on handmade Lokta paper
Top left - initial ideas for a range of colours for the project
Bottom - experiments with lino ink and carved stamps
©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Gathering thoughts and experiments to continue with the pebble project.....

Experiments with different media on handmade Lokta paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I bought some Lokta paper, it is A4 and a beautiful creamy colour, some with speckles. It is  thin, strong and fibrous and one side is slightly smoother than the other. I did the same experiments on both surfaces but the difference in results was negligible. Wetting the paper and tearing gives a lovely 'fluffy' edge (like most thin handmade papers) and it cuts well with knife and scissors - these are characteristics that I want to utilise in the coming works.

My next experiments were using lino printing ink in both bold colours, neutrals and off whites.

lino print experiment on Lokta paper ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

lino print experiment on Lokta paper ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

lino print experiment on Lokta paper ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

The results are subtle, I had to photograph these with a dark paper behind to show the contrast as the camera struggles to pick up the pale tones. I rather like the effect though and will definitely be exploring very pale compositions at some point - maybe more as drawings....

 

Print, collage, acrylic ink and pencil on Lokta paper...about A6ish   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Exploring shape, line and rhythm. There is something very calming about drawing flowing lines. I'm making connections in my mind with Japanese gravel gardens, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham drawings and ripples on still water. I feel like I am edging towards something...maybe I am flowing too?

Sand ripples left by the tide   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Aren't these ripples divine? The tide was fast and strong to leave these behind, they are quite large and deep.

A Falling Tide   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

The shot below was taken through the lens of my sunglasses - I like the dramatic tonal contrast.

Sand ripples through my sunglasses   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

All these sources will no doubt filter into this next body of work, I'm enjoying the process of collating and curating.

First to the sea

Looking for Treats (in progress)   17.5x17.5cm watercolour on paper   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

First to the Sea   watercolour on paper 8x13cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Have you ever been to the beach really, really early in the morning before anyone else has arrived with a low tide and pristine virgin sand? You can be alone with your thoughts enjoying the breeze listening to your breath and the sound of your footsteps that dissipates into the big empty stillness as you are slowly warmed by the sun.



The colour chart from a few posts back is certainly coming in useful. Just a touch of colour in the mix and the atmosphere has changed.


These paintings are available at Seaside studios UK on etsy

Looking for Treats   17.5x17.5cm watercolour on paper   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

 

Walking the dog II

The first two paintings for this mini series... once again I am in love with Daniel Smith's Sodalite Genuine and its gorgeous granulation's.

Walking the dog   watercolour on paper 17.5x17.5cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Walking the dog II   watercolour on paper 19.5x19.5cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Both paintings are available at Seasidestudiosuk on Etsy.

It might be time for a little colour. Where did I put my colour chart?

Headland - a new etching

Headland   etching 6x6cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

I love the super strong contrasts of light on the ocean that you get after a heavy downpour and the energy and exhilaration as you wait in anticipation for the next bout to come. So inspiring, even though it can make your eyes ache for the relief in the shadows.


This etching is available on Etsy at Seaside Studios UK.

Transformation collage and monoprint

Transformation I  monoprint and collage   29.5x21cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Transformation II  monoprint and collage   29.5x21cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Following on from Ebb and Flow I and II a couple more compositions using monoprint this time. I like the different kind of marks with direct monoprint and the feathery line quality because I did those sections on a textured watercolour paper it is more pronounced than it would have been on a smoother surface giving a softer feel that contrasts with the harder lines of the pebble shapes.

I will start to add these to the Etsy shop over the next few days and make some from the series available as prints and cards on RedBubble.

The pebble project is progressing well and there is much work in progress. However waiting for layers of ink to dry is getting a little frustrating. It means that posts may end up being a bit like buses with lots to share in one go with big gaps in between :o)

Ebb and flow - collagraph and mixed media

Ebb & Flow   28x18cm collagraph collage and mixed media   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Following on from the Elemental triptych a couple more mixed media pieces. They have proved very difficult to photograph I'm not sure if it is a problem with my camera or just that it can't cope with the subtleties of texture and tone in the printed elements.

Edges, line, boundaries, balance and texture seem to be my focus at the moment. I think I need to spend some time drawing - thinking with a pencil (or whatever else comes to hand.....).

Ebb & Flow II   28x18cm collagraph collage and mixed media   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Elemental I, II and III - block print and collage

Elemental I, II & III   block print and collage each image 11x18cm   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

A combination of techniques and materials has been used to create this triptch. First three blocks printed using a blended pass of blue ink. Once these had dried I collaged the pebble shapes using a mixture of inked paper and shapes from previous collagraph prints. Also areas of tracing and tissue paper are collaged in I like the mix of opacity and transparency.

Detail from Elemental III showing ink texture ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

I have tried to show in the detail photograph some of the lovely texture from the ink in the block print. The variation in tone and lovely granulatory qualities bring to mind looking at sand rich in mica through water.



This series seems to be heading in a more graphic and hard edged direction in print compared with the path the paintings are taking. I continue to explore but am intrigued if the two will ever meet and merge at some point in the future.

Well travelled pebbles in watercolour

I had hoped to be able to share the next round of collagraph prints but I am in between stages waiting for ink to dry still. Unable to continue with them I have returned to watercolour and whilst the medium dictates a completely different result from the prints the theme is the same.

Well Travelled   17x17cm watercolour   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Well Travelled II   17x17cm watercolour   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Replicating some of the marks and textures that I had made in the prints with watercolour and a little gouache has made some interesting areas. I also used more granulating pigments in the mixes especially the new love of my life Daniel Smith's Sodolite Genuine. I can see I will be getting through the tube rather quickly.

Well Travelled II (detail)   17x17cm watercolour   ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

Not a bad way to spend time waiting for ink to dry.......

Calm Waters I & II

Calm Waters I   acrylic on canvas 24x30cm   ©2017Lisa Le Quelenec

Postcard sketches for paintings 'Calm Waters I & II  ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

You might remember these two little postcards sized sketches that I posted last year. They have been patiently sitting on my pin board waiting to be given attention. I wanted to develop the idea of looking into the light and also of verticals in a seascape without reverting to motifs of landmass or sails etc. Another theme that seems to be developing in some of my work is an aspect of minimalism. How far can I take a subject and subtract detail without losing it's essence? I seem to go from one extreme to the other capturing small details of shells and feathers and the next the opposite where I am painting just tone and colour. It keeps things interesting...

Colour inspirations photographs ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

I have to admit I am really enjoying using these strong blues again, it has been a while. Intermittent warmer days have arrived and the blues are making me feel that Summer may just be around the corner - or at least a warmer Spring.

Calm Waters II   acrylic on canvas 24x30cm   ©2017Lisa Le Quelenec

Both paintings are available as prints in various formats and cards at Redbubble - Lisa Le Quelenec - click on the link.

Mangata monoprints - exploring the theme

Pause and Reflect   13x12cm  monoprint   ©2016LisaLeQuelenec

Three monoprint explorations on the mangata theme. They are experiments in technique as much as concept. There is something very meditative and calming about trying to capture this idea which I hope comes across in the images. After using paynes grey oil paint in the previous posts drypoint I treated myself to a new etching ink by Charbonnel in the same colour. This is what I have used in Mangata I & II below. It's a little bluer in colour but perfect for this subject I think.

Mangata I   21x15cm monoprint   ©2016LisaLeQuelenec

Mangata II   21x15cm monoprint   ©2016LisaLeQuelenec