Cambridge Drawing Society exhibition in April

I have now been a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society for a year - having been voted on last spring. Since then I have also been asked to be on the committee - so I am now in charge of posting information of interest to the members on Facebook and Twitter. How on earth did that happen?

The next Drawing Society exhibition is coming up in April. It is in a different location than last year - not least because the Council, who own the Guildhall, got very greedy and, after many decades of using that location, the club decided to go elsewhere due to spiralling cost! However, the Pitt Building is a brilliant location, just up the road from the famous Kings College and also much brighter to display works. I love the painting (watercolour, I believe) that was used for the poster - very jealous....

I have started painting again, after a bit of a break (too many other things to do....). I want to submit four - and obviously as the spring exhibition has a selection committee I want to make sure they are eye-catching enough for the committee.

So - I have started with one that I must admit is very eye-catching!


"Tiger, tiger, burning bright"
Acrylic ink on 535gsm Bockingford NOT half imperial watercolour paper

Like the lion I did a couple of years ago, this got very scary part way through! Drawing went fine, applying masking fluid - pretty good, although not used to putting on quite so much in one area, so need to find something better to apply it next time.

OK - then added the acrylic ink and sprayed with my bottle of water - help......!

Obviously at this point you can't see the masking fluid, as it is completely hidden behind the ink (even though I am using transparent inks only). You have to leave the whole thing to dry overrnight and keep your fingers crossed.

When I came back to take off the masking fluid (have to say best implement I have for this is my Chinese bamboo pen) I started to think that maybe it would be ok - just. It is only when I start bringing it all together with the dip pen - adding bits, knocking bits back etc that it comes together properly.

I have to say that now I am very happy with the result - but I don't know why I put myself through the trauma with these animals.... I have to say, though, that I love seeing the animal's head emerge from the loose ink - leaving lots to the imagination.

Right - back to the drawing board to see what else I can do for this exhibition.