Anyone who does videos knows it takes forever to render them and then watch them through to make sure they’re OK, and frankly I get bored of listening to my own voice. So, I use the time to practice in my journal. I’ve been working on a slightly more ‘realistic’ illustrative style lately and the practice is really starting to show.

This is the first stage. I drew her in biro, then added self-mixed watercolours. At one point during this phase, she started reminding me of that comic book style of illustration that has tiny black dots all over everything, and I must admit I almost did that with her. Except, obviously, I don’t have the patience for that!

© Klair 'Rhomany' Scattergood 2012

On top of that layer I added some pencil and oil pastels. I forgot to take a photo of that.

Then I got really bored of listening to my own voice and started playing. I’ve wanted to try out my acrylic stay-wet palette since I got it but I was working on class projects. Last night I got to put some colours onto it and have a play at mixing colours and trying some new things. I used Christy’s technique from her live show on glazing, of doing teal, pink and yellow under painting beneath the titanium buff glaze. I think it turned out quite well for a first time, though in retrospect, putting acrylic over water soluble oil pastel wasn’t a particularly smart move… I’m not used to painting with a bright colour palette in acrylic, even though I use very bright colours in my illustrations, so this was quite a stretch for me. But I enjoyed it and will try doing more.

© Klair 'Rhomany' Scattergood 2012

Why the funny angle? Because this is the one I drew sitting on the sofa the other night, when I realised if I draw with my page flat instead of lifted up slightly, I end up with squiffy faces. She looks alright at this angle, because that’s the angle I drew her at. Straight on? Not so much! Must sort that out!

© Klair 'Rhomany' Scattergood 2012