Drafting film is an interesting surface to work on – being translucent it is possible to work on both sides to add depth to an image. It takes both wet and dry media equally well, it doesn’t warp or bleed.
With these miniatures – each one is 9 cm square – I painted loosely on one side in acrylic paint, suggesting the essence of a flower. Once dry, I could turn it over and start to bring out the form using coloured pencils. Some are clearly flowers, others have moved quite a long way from their origins.
Below are four early images showing just the acrylic marks, the bottom left drawing is partly worked on with coloured pencils. The painting bottom right is shown from the painted side, ie in reverse of the final image, whereas the other three are seen from the side that the pencil will be added to.
anna warren portfolio 
Hello Anna, just as well for FB alerting me to your new post as I didn’t get an email with this one. These are so beautiful, I love them, both the early AND finished versions. The finished versions have something about them which make me think of the 1940s. Is it the colouring, patterns or style that make me visualise women’s summer dresses of that period? Perhaps all three. Also what comes to mind is decoupage. Clever thing!
LikeLike
Interesting! I do love the style of the 1940s and I absolutely see the textile design element of these. Once I had aspirations to be a textile designer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There we go – your past textile design aspirations and admiration of that era both show through in these pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh these are lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rosie – they are such a pleasure to work on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool process and very lyrical. In many of these the “leaves” are as animated as the “flowers”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jana – lyrical is a lovely description! And thank you for recommending my blog.
LikeLike
Good to see the processes.
LikeLike
Thanks Vivienne!
LikeLike
Hi Anna, Thank you for pointing me to this post. What I wasn’t understanding is that you used acrylic paint matching the pencil color. What you have created is so vibrant and so helpful to see your process. I do agree with an earlier comment that the panels have a sense of pattern that each could be a fabric design. They are beautiful and sit so nicely together. I love the little bird in the top left arrangement. I wish I lived close by so I could come see you create in person. You are always such an inspiration, thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Cathe – in a way it is the opposite, in other words the paint colour dictates the pencil colours! The base painting is quite rough and unstructured, but I need the basic composition to be right, then I can tweak and develop the forms with the pencil on the flip side of the drafting film.
I wish we lived close enough for us to work together, the objects you create and your sketches are a huge inspiration to me too!
LikeLike