August's Spiral drawing

 

August's spiral shell drawing pencil and ink on paper ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Ran's Glimmers - drypoint with mixed media

 

Sketchbook experiments in mixed media ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

'...have gold, so if lost at sea you aren't empty handed to Ran's hall'

- Fridhjaf's saga

Golden tributes thrown over the side of the boat to appease Ran for a safe crossing whilst a recurring theme in many mythologies is to pay the boatman for crossing into the next life. The more about mythology that I read the more connections I make between peoples and cultures, we are more alike than not. The same worries and fears even over vast distances and time, I wish we could remember that a bit more.

 

Ghost print from Scintillating II with mixed media ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Ran's Glimmers   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

The gold mica paint is from a set by Kuretake - Gansai Tambi Starry Colours which is a range of 6 from silver pearl to a deep rich gold. 

June's Spiral drawing - unidentified shell

 

June's spiral drawing for 2025   pencil on toned sketchbook page   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

This shell had lots of lumps and bumps to navigate and textures too. The spines were satisfying to draw - some had received a bit of damage to their tips but I think it adds to its character. 

This year is running away fast. Can you believe that it is June already? It doesn't feel like I have done six spiral drawings already this year and yet here they are...

Detail of June's spiral drawing for 2025   pencil on toned sketchbook page   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Scintillating - drypoint etching print

 

Taking a line for a walk  sketchbook page 8x15cm approx   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

I have so many sketches like this - scribbly lines that I have drawn trying to capture the lines and movement in wind disturbed water. I must have spent days maybe weeks worth of hours watching and listening to where the breeze ruckles and ruffles one area more than another, looking at edges and tonal patterns, feeling the differentials of air, smelling and tasting the salt, observing the sun scintillating across the surface. Although a full sensory experience it is also a calming and soothing way to spend time, maybe the hypnotic patterns blow away any worries that I have.

Taking a number of sketches and memories I have made a drypoint which I think maybe the first in a series of explorations of these scribbles and thoughtnotes.

Scintillating   drypoint etching and plate ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Scintillating   drypoint etching 8x15cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

This print is available in my Folksy store and I have added a second proof print to my Etsy Store. There will be a varies edition of around ten prints once I have finished with this plate but I was getting to impatient and had to share this one with you now ;o)

Spiral drawing for May - 3 for 1 shells

 

May's spiral drawing for 2025   pencil on toned sketchbook page   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

I started but I couldn't stop! Three spirals for May as they are getting quite addictive. I'm chasing my tail still trying to catch up on projects that I feel should have been finished already. Sometimes things take longer than you think. I was hoping to be able to have the Ran's Daughters project finished and ready to share buy the end on April but it hasn't quite worked out that way. I am getting close though... even with distracting spiral drawings in the mix.

May's spiral drawing for 2025   pencil on toned sketchbook page   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

May's spiral drawing for 2025   pencil on toned sketchbook page   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

April's Spiral Drawing - Queen conch

 

March Spiral Drawing - pencil and ink on toned paper ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Sliding in at the end on the month with April's spiral drawing. This one was especially difficult to capture the spiral and descending order of size in the protrusions a couple of which were also bendy and different to the others. Isn't nature wonderful in all her perfect imperfections? She kept me on my toes anyway.

 

March spiral drawing - common winkle

 

March Spiral Drawing - pencil on toned paper ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

The common winkle is a lovely little thing that come in a variety of colours and shades. Yellows are my favourite and I can't resist picking them up. I do always check to make sure that no one is home before they head to my pocket. They look like little jewels in the rockpools and washed up on the shore. As you can see the child in me still sorts them into colours.

Common winkles ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

I think I may have collected rather a lot over the years....

Common winkles ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Spirals for January and February

 

My drawing challenge for 2025....spirals! I did do the drawing below in January but failed to blog about it as I was so caught up with Ran and ginkgo patterns! I am using a mid-toned sketchbook that I have had for a long time but keep forgetting that I have. I think it will be nice to keep all of these drawings together. 

Wentletrap   pencil and ink on toned paper A4ish   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

A new to me shell, found at Christmas though not by me. This is a common wentletrap - I think - found in Jersey. It has been on my bucket list to find one of these for years. You can see how small it is next to the drawing maybe about 2.5cm... A tricky subject with it's prominent verticals climbing up the spiral. Fun to try to draw though.

Wentletrap   pencil and ink on toned paper A4ish   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

February's spiral was even trickier...I attempted this one a few times as I kept losing my place in the spiral markings as well as the spiral form.

Sundial Shell   pencil and ink on toned paper A4ish   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Sundial Shell   pencil and ink on toned paper A4ish   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Mixed media - A Flick of the Tail & On the Brink

 

Sketchbook study page for Ran's Net Project watercolour and watersoluble pencils ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

pre-painting sketch... 

Stage 1 - 4 for A Flick of the Tail 30x30cm mixed media ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Stage 1 - tissue paper, calico and a little acrylic medium...just making loose shapes and the gist of the composition. 

Stage 2 - pale areas of colour in acrylic.

Stage 3 - building up tones and colours.

Stage 4 - adding more tone, refining edges, flinging and spattering paint. This was the ugly stage where I lived with the painting for a few days. I tried to sneak up on it and take it by surprise but would retreat muttering to myself. I think I had gotten too dark too soon and wanted to bring back some light, I couldn't decide if I needed to make it feel less solid and more gentle/fluid or keep the harsh solidity of stormy water.

A Flick of the Tail   mixed media on canvas board 30x30cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

I decided to warm things a little and remove some of the contrast. A little more spattering and texture in the paint - I wanted to capture a split second of time - a 'did I just see that?' moment... a playful teasing.  

At the Brink   mixed media 30x30cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

In contrast this piece shows a slightly more feisty side...the literal net is out (fruit netting from a bag of plums adhered to the board with acrylic medium) and ready to capture what it may. This is no playful splash but the brink of something that could become more sinister. I wanted to show the pressure of water about to pound down and a net waiting to engulf and drag off in the back wash. 

Snippet from a photo of the inside of a mussel shell ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

The shapes, colours and textures from this little section of a mussel shell interior that has been sat on my desk quietly waited for me to notice it's connection to the painting.  It too had been rolled around and most likely pounded by the sea.

A little softening of the contrasts and areas of the wave and the painting is now complete.

At the Brink   mixed media on canvas board 30x30cm   ©2025LisaLeQuelenec

Working on these two pieces simultaneously allowed them to influence and speak to each other. By sharing base materials, format and palette I hope to portray their connection even though each is an extreme of  disposition or emotion. I think this series is going to be a challenge, interesting but a challenge.

Both of these paintings are available in my Etsy store.