Probably a better descriptor than ‘monochromatic’, since the latter could feasibly be any single colour. You can probably see how much I’m still enjoying my achromatic sketchbook – basically all just black and white, exploring compositions through painting, drawing and collage.
I’m using two shades of black (ivory black and mars black), white, and buff titanium. I’m also allowing myself a little Payne’s grey and Goethite (a subtle warm sandy colour) here and there – probably a little outside the black and white rule but then I make the rules so I can also break them.
I gathered together a wide range of substrates when I made this book, including canvas, cotton rag paper, cartridge paper, watercolour paper and handmade papers. Each one takes paint and ink slightly differently, making this sketchbook perfect for all kinds of exploration.
I’ve also used plain black india ink here and there.
And some collage:
There’s some figurative work (or play) too. I like birds. I think the ability to fly would be my superpower if I could choose one.
Something a little looser:
I also created some printed/stamped papers that I’ve stuck in here and there.
Today I’m looking through some fabrics to make some textile/stitched samples.
I’m actually starting to run out of pages, and I can easily see the attraction of a second volume. I would never have expected black and white to be so interesting and engaging. Just proves the value of venturing outside your comfort zone and having a go. I do like a creative adventure.
Discover more from Karen Turner Stitching Life
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
These are wonderful Karen and show how slight variations in tone and shade can result in simple yet stunning pieces
thanks so much Mags, yes it really is surprising how effective a lack of colour can be
Beautiful!
😊
Amazing – beautiful – love the raven – you\’re speaking to me – 🙂↔️Sent from my iPad
thanks so much 😊
This coming from a color fanatic 🙂 would just like to say how much I’m enjoying your gorgeous explorations!-NaomiSent from my iPad
ha, thank you – I love colour too so this is really new for me as well. I highly recommend it 🙂
I love your pages! The colour restriction is working so well. xx
thanks so much, I’m really enjoying it 🤗
Hi Karen,
This exploratory work is so inspiring.
I am just starting to dip my toe into \”mixing it up " … paint, paper,stitch fabrics especially cotton and my big love wool. Trying to step outside my comfort zone as a wet feltmaker !
Thanks for sharing
Sheila
Sent via BT Email App
ah, dipping your toe in is how it all starts 😄 Happy adventuring!
These are stunning Karen, such beautiful work.
thanks so much Sue, just exploring really. Seeing what happens by accident 🙂
Sooo lovely!
thank you 😊
Wonderful idea and beautiful work. Constraints are often so freeing!
Thanks for sharing. It\’s inspired me to do the same exercise and see what happens.
Excellent! Happy exploring 🙂
Oh c’est superbe, j’adore ! Cela donne envie de tester ce type de carnet!
Je reviens d’un stage textile mixed media sur le thème « Transparence mer » avec creation de papier en gummy silk et nous avons fait des dessins de la mer de chine .
Merci pour vos explications. Et bravo
merci beaucoup Eliane – I’m afraid that’s the limit of my O’ Level French from 45 years ago. The English are very lazy about learning languages. Your mixed media workshop sounds really interesting.
this is interesting and it really allows for playing with values and shade, doesn’t it?
I think because we are staying in mostly, as the beautiful days of summer go by, that I want color. I have not been 100% lately*, and so it is prudent to be inside, but I long for escape in grass, in flowers, in sky, in color.
and yet, I look at this and think I’ll follow suit at some point and work full grey-scale. it feels and looks like from your work as though it can give some discoveries that can’t be found any other way.
(* I’m fine but a long-ago injury has decided to act up and needs babying. it is not often that it does this to this extreme, but it has decided now is the time. so here we are.)
you often take us places where I would not go by myself and I find it so interesting. so thank you.
Yes, it really does – I’m learning such a lot here. I usually love colour too, but I’m finding the black and white thing really useful in terms of focusing more on composition and tonal value. I think the lack of colour makes you work a bit harder, but then I also think there are more satisfying results. It’s definitely stretching me (in a good way) and letting me see things I probably wouldn’t have seen if I’d let colour do all the work. Wishing you a good recovery, by the way – and glad you’re listening to the injury and caring for it.
Love this idea Karen !
highly recommend it 🙂
I am enjoying this monochromatic experiment of yours. Consider that many visually striking movies were made in black and white, and the variety of Japanese Sumi-e ink drawings, you could continue with this for some time!
yes, that’s a really good point – and definitely, I can see that this exploration could feasibly continue for some years…
Yes, as you say, surprisingly engaging. I’m not at all keen on black and white, but these are spellbinding!
same here, didn’t think I liked black and white at all. But here we are! Glad I can still surprise myself after all these years 😆 Also a valuable lesson to self – try All the Things, even the ones you think you won’t enjoy.
Fascinating – I have been working with black white and shade of grey, exploring the idea of “making marks” on fabric- in circles. I was stuck so I gave myself some parameters. It helps.
I agree, it can help to make some guidelines especially if you feel stuck or restricted. Your explorations sound really interesting and fun too.
Beautiful artwork, thank you for sharing. How do you keep the ink from spreading or blotting on the canvas? Thank you, Prarthana
thank you Prarthana. I didn’t do anything special, and in some cases I wanted the ink to blot and spread. I guess it’s probably got something to do with how diluted it is, using more or less water.
Superb
thank you 🙂