Sunday Update - 15/02/26

I feel like my figurative phase is coming to a close. It started November last year, around the time I decided to take a break from the internet/social media. It was an excuse to get messy with unfamiliar mediums and tighten-up some of the flabby parts of my knowledge. I dunno if I’ve managed that, but I do feel more at home with watercolour and gesture as a result of this period, so little steps have been made. 

Still, all the flesh tones are starting to blur into one and a longing for something different is calling from the corner from the back of my mind. I’ll continue to work through the rest of the year’s Figuary videos (via the Croquis Cafe), alongside touching-up the pages that didn’t quite work out - as I’ve so many semi-realised watercolour studies that are screaming out for some more colour, ink or markers. 

I’ve talked about how I’d like to study scenes and storytelling before, and even dipped my toe on numerous occasions, but I think fully submerging myself for even just a week or two would be really beneficial. I’d include landscapes, and still life that umbrella too - finding meaning and story in a place or object really inspires me. 

And it wouldn’t just be real world/photographic examples I’d hope to learn from but also those found in comics and animation, even master studies of other artists' work (something I’ve never truly attempted).

The other part of is shift is making things more personal and fun again. I’ve been slowly creeping back into drawing myself and surrounding again, and see that being a larger focus of March as I move away from online references once again. 

As far as fun goes, I miss just aimlessly doodling so more no reference/stream of consciousness style artwork is on the horizon. 

Study and play have always had a push pull dynamic for me. I used to try and organise it, giving myself time to explore each equally, but that never quite works out. I’m learning that following my intuition garners much better results. Large periods of anything will naturally begin to take their toll, but nothing is wasted. It’s just the balance of things I guess.

Anyway, lots of pen/line drawing this week in an attempt to claw back some confidence, and I think it worked. Also had a productive few hours watercolouring, quickly putting down a layer or two to revisit at a later date. Feels like I’ve lots of half-finished things, but learning to be bold with the colours and my strokes is playing off.

Right, I’ll leave it there. I’ve a new YouTube video about the pens I use if you’re interested in that (it’s easily my most asked question).

Thanks for reading and hope you have a great week! 

Alex