I am still working away on a few projects as I work towards the end of my Masters. Today I want to share the image I created for the design for my page for the Ma show catalogue. Initially I looked at all my images that I loved, but none sang out to me as ‘the one’. And as mermaids are close to my heart I decided to make a special image for this occasion – after all it was going to go out to some exciting places (publishers, our show, reviewers, past and current students).
I started, as I always do with a sketch, and then decided to bring her to life using watercolours (various makes but Daniel Smith in particular)….
But I had made the background far too “heavy” – and the horizon too high, almost chopping her at the head. So I tried taking the background out, to leave room for my contact details….
But, rather like Goldilocks who was seeking the right chair, porridge and bed, it was now “too plain”. Where was she gazing to? What was happening? Where was the drama or narrative? And so I created a second background to add in – and scanned on a couple of different settings…..
And then put them together….
Now there is a narrative, and questions to draw the reader in. Where is she gazing? Is the ship coming or leaving? I will never know whether this was the right image for the catalogue… but I believe it is.
