'Let's Hover' in stages
I've been working on a set of illustrations for a collaboration with local pagan poet Mark Westmore; this week I've finished 'Let's Hover' and I took some photographs along the way, to demonstrate my technique.
First, here's the poem:
Tooth and claw.
The wild runners;
raving about this world
and there's others.
Moving towards a goal
to discover,
paving a way
to the soul
to uncover,
the raven inside
of us all;
Let's hover!
So first I make thumbnail sketches of my ideas, basically just doodles; if I like an idea I'll expand on it.
![1jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/fb/62/fb6285e9-cf07-42d4-81c6-b5a8b0c08eaf.jpg)
Next I'll do some reference drawing; I don't need the end result to be very realistic, but I want to start off knowing how the raven looks, so that I can get a feel for it.
![2jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/3a/51/3a519d86-cb02-4656-b010-8f9ce6a5f45e.jpg)
Next I'll try out a few colours; I usually have some idea of the colours I want to use, but I like to try out a few.
![5jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/d7/25/d725ebf8-e438-4080-a396-6006f8482128.jpg)
Drawing out my idea. I measure out a 17cm box (all of the paintings in this sequence will be the same size) and sketch out the layout lightly.
![3jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/45/73/45731d3f-003f-4f00-9bda-d2f11163aaf0.jpg)
I needed to use a pair of compasses to draw the triquetra, I couldn't do this by eye this large. Usually for large circles I use bowls or plates (very professional!).
![4jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/f1/8a/f18abe3e-200f-413a-908d-d5142c5d880a.jpg)
Next I cover the entire surface with the oil pastels that I selected earlier; it's important not to leave any gaps at this stage.
![6jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/7e/f6/7ef6f014-80ce-419b-af87-17af0cbbe2f4.jpg)
For this illustration I'm going to scratch some lines into the pastel before adding the ink, because I want the raven to be dark and scratchy. The ink will stay in the scratchmarks, adding extra detail.
![7jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/5e/05/5e059392-f3c1-4bfc-af4d-968f4c5202a9.jpg)
This is the fun bit! I completely cover the drawing with black lino ink (water based), leaving some areas lighter, so that I can see where the original drawing is (roughly); this is why I don't put too much detail in the drawing, it would get completely lost!
![8jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/a1/11/a111f1a3-d3a7-441a-ad3f-69512e66cf2b.jpg)
I use a scraper tool to scratch away the lino ink.
![9jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/c2/f0/c2f0069e-17c4-4018-8d92-e7ac2b47870e.jpg)
Then add some celtic inspired patterns in the background.
![10jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/a0/9d/a09d5419-6cc2-4e58-974b-58a7da0f9439.jpg)
Finally, after tidying up certain areas, I add some silver.
![11jpg](//d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/25/b1/25b1687f-24db-49d3-a5c7-60fb90a37f28.jpg)
I hope you enjoyed reading this!
To keep up-to-date with my blog you can follow me on my facebook page Vikki Yeates illustration.
First, here's the poem:
Tooth and claw.
The wild runners;
raving about this world
and there's others.
Moving towards a goal
to discover,
paving a way
to the soul
to uncover,
the raven inside
of us all;
Let's hover!
So first I make thumbnail sketches of my ideas, basically just doodles; if I like an idea I'll expand on it.
![1jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/fb/62/fb6285e9-cf07-42d4-81c6-b5a8b0c08eaf.jpg)
Next I'll do some reference drawing; I don't need the end result to be very realistic, but I want to start off knowing how the raven looks, so that I can get a feel for it.
![2jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/3a/51/3a519d86-cb02-4656-b010-8f9ce6a5f45e.jpg)
Next I'll try out a few colours; I usually have some idea of the colours I want to use, but I like to try out a few.
![5jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/d7/25/d725ebf8-e438-4080-a396-6006f8482128.jpg)
Drawing out my idea. I measure out a 17cm box (all of the paintings in this sequence will be the same size) and sketch out the layout lightly.
![3jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/45/73/45731d3f-003f-4f00-9bda-d2f11163aaf0.jpg)
I needed to use a pair of compasses to draw the triquetra, I couldn't do this by eye this large. Usually for large circles I use bowls or plates (very professional!).
![4jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/f1/8a/f18abe3e-200f-413a-908d-d5142c5d880a.jpg)
Next I cover the entire surface with the oil pastels that I selected earlier; it's important not to leave any gaps at this stage.
![6jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/7e/f6/7ef6f014-80ce-419b-af87-17af0cbbe2f4.jpg)
For this illustration I'm going to scratch some lines into the pastel before adding the ink, because I want the raven to be dark and scratchy. The ink will stay in the scratchmarks, adding extra detail.
![7jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/5e/05/5e059392-f3c1-4bfc-af4d-968f4c5202a9.jpg)
This is the fun bit! I completely cover the drawing with black lino ink (water based), leaving some areas lighter, so that I can see where the original drawing is (roughly); this is why I don't put too much detail in the drawing, it would get completely lost!
![8jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/a1/11/a111f1a3-d3a7-441a-ad3f-69512e66cf2b.jpg)
I use a scraper tool to scratch away the lino ink.
![9jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/c2/f0/c2f0069e-17c4-4018-8d92-e7ac2b47870e.jpg)
Then add some celtic inspired patterns in the background.
![10jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/a0/9d/a09d5419-6cc2-4e58-974b-58a7da0f9439.jpg)
Finally, after tidying up certain areas, I add some silver.
![11jpg](http://d2f0ora2gkri0g.cloudfront.net/25/b1/25b1687f-24db-49d3-a5c7-60fb90a37f28.jpg)
I hope you enjoyed reading this!
To keep up-to-date with my blog you can follow me on my facebook page Vikki Yeates illustration.