Gwen John (1876-1939) is the next artist whose work I am looking at. In 1903-04, she drew "Portrait of Dorelia" using red chalk (left) and pencil and ink (right).
I quite like these drawings, but the right-hand image has more impact with me than the left. Perhaps because the pen and ink gives a sharper image than the chalk.
When I tried these materials out for myself, they were harder to use than I thought they would be.
For the first drawing, I used pencil to sketch the object and then used orange ink to add colour and tone. However when I was adding the shadows, the edges bled and left a rough line instead of a clean one.
For the second drawing I added more water to the ink so that colour/tonal change would be more subtle. When it was completely dry, I then drew the lines and detail back on.
I then tried using some red chalk to draw a shell but it is quite a hard medium to use when you're not used to it.
I think I like the second drawing most because it is more simplified because I only drew the basic detail and didn't draw her facial features.
I enjoyed working with the pencil and ink, and now if I use them again, I know a good way to do so.
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