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Yes, I started about 4 years ago (in my mid 40s) just putting watercolour onto paper - like stick trees, really the absolute basics. I moved on to reproducing p
by gilleain 2y ago
Yes, I started about 4 years ago (in my mid 40s) just putting watercolour onto paper - like stick trees, really the absolute basics. I moved on to reproducing patterns in pencil (Islamic tiling designs, celtic knots, etc) as something to put paint into.
After a few years of reproducing all sorts of patterns - mainly Islamic patterns using compass and straightedge, but honestly also tracing paper - I now can convert an image I like of a tile or similar into a neat, symmetric painted-on-paper example in a weekend.
Along the way I've learned how to use various types of paint (watercolour, gouache, acrylic) and mediums (gum arabic, gloss) and varnishes. Also brushes - current favourite being an angled shader and types of paper.
Most importantly, learning about how to use colours - mixing them, and choosing a palette that looks good. Also what I consider the 'finish' of a work: inking outlines, bordering, just making it look good.
I initially put stuff on Etsy, just to put it out in the world. However - not particularly surprisingly, that's not something want to buy - so I now use cara.app as a way to show it to other people, which is what I actually want :) I worry though that cara is unsustainable.
It's been fun, just trying out what seems interesting and striving to get output that you can be proud of and is visually pleasing in whatever way.
- specproc 2y agoIslamic geometry is gorgeous. I've a pile of books on my shelf but have never gotten off my backside to recreate some. Hope to take this as inspiration!
- gilleain 2y agoSo I have two recommendations: Samira Mian, her youtube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/samiramian https://www.youtube.com/user/samiramian Another book (!) by Eric Broug - 'Islamic Geometric Patterns' that has step-by-step instructions for 22 patterns. In general, I use a good compass (although I have also used the cheapest one, it's fine for getting something on paper!) and a mechanical pencil. A transparent ruler with a bevel (so that you can flip it over and draw along the edge) is good. You get used to how to precisely draw a line between points and how to adjust a drawing to get it as symmetric as possible. Go for it! It's fun :)
- specproc 2y agoThank you kindly! I've got a few lovely books, but I'm out and their names escape me. Will update later.
- specproc 2y agoThe two practical ones are Arabic Geometrical Pattern and Design by J. Bourgoin (a pattern book), and Ruler and Compass by Andrew Sutton, which is a small general guide to building shapes. I've never gotten particularly far in doing my own and have honestly spent more time just cheerfully leafing through Islamic Art in Cairo by Prisse d'Avennes and L'Art de L'Islam by Titus Bruckhardt.