Marked Expressions

 

A quickie with markers using 'Facial Expressions' as a reference.

I do love to use markers, they are so much more forgiving than I first anticipated.

I usually start with a very light grey to grab my key outline and then build up with darker tones.

Harry

22-06-13, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

A quick capture of Harry lounging on the sofa, watching TV.
This paper takes marker beautifully and it doesn't bleed through the other side either

Monochrome

26-03-13c, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

More sketches from magazines using marker and pigment liners

Monochrome Marker Combos

25-03-13b, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

I was looking through an old sketchbook of mine and came across some sketches I liked the look of created using a pigment liner and marker. It occurred to me that these little monochrome sketches require very little kit (2 pens and a book) and how this may be useful for my upcoming trip to Rome, especially when standing to sketch. So I had a little practice.
This paper takes markers so well, they simply glide across the page, however, this paper is not the paper I'll be taking so I have since 'spot' tested them on a Seawhite A5 concertina book and, while they do not glide and build layers anywhere near as nicely, they do not bleed because the concertina is double layered.....Next to try a whole sketch rather than just a spot, just to be sure but it's looking hopeful and I feel it could be very useful in situations where getting my paints out could be awkward or impossible!

Markers

21.22-03-13, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

Some more tests with markers revealed that the watercolour paper in this book does not take the Tombows so well, which I expected. It did bleed through on the reverse of the daffodils.

Portofino

20-03-13b, a photo by Anita Davies on Flickr.

Sketched from a DVD still using Noodlers Highland Heather ink and watercolour, working quickly and loosely with lots of juicy water!
The small sketch in the bottom corner was sketched using a Tombow marker (942) and I love the dreamy/misty effect it has, I think I would like to use this in my journals to compliment a watercolour and ink sketch in this way. Obviously, the lovely thick smooth paper in this journal made by Russell Parry has no problem with the markers BUT would my other sketchbooks react the same?
*Need to give it a go in a Seawhite Concertina to see if it will work for my Rome trip!