Poppies and Peonies

Description

Limited Edition giclee print
#2 of 100
Hand signed and numbered in graphite
Epson Brite White watercolor paper
Epson Ultrachrome archival inks
Paper size: 8 x 19
Image size: 6 3/4 x 18

I started this 2007 years ago, procrastinated and finally finished it in 2009. I loved the challenge of working with basically two colors, the red family and green, and still maintain depths and contrasts, without being flat.

My technique, though time consuming, is simple. I start with a preliminary sketch in graphite. When my design is satisfactory, I ink the sketch, using a black, 05, pigma micron pen. I use Prismacolor pencils. Each area is a layering of about 5 different colors, going from dark to light, until the paper is totally burnished. Once the coloring is complete, I re-ink to make the line work a true black. It is then sprayed with workable fixatif to seal, protect and prevent wax bloom. The substrate is archival rag board.

Added on Sep 21, 2009