The challenge from 52Frames this week is Pattern with an extra challenge of Pattern in Nature. I liked this as a challenge and had thought I might use photos of some stones I had found on the beach in Orkney. When I came to look at them though I felt they would not work that well for this format. I also had some fossil photos, which could have worked. Then I found I picture taken a while ago of a pheasant and thought his feathers might work really well. I loved the patterns and they made me think of some of Charles Rennie Mackintosh designs. They also made me think of birds flying in formation, viewed from above.

I zoomed in and found an area that seemed to work as an image. The painting is done with Kuretake:Gansi Tambi Japanese watercolour, that I have used in other pictures. The black is Uni Pin Fineliner from Mitsubishi Pencil Co and then highlights have been added with Neocolour II watersoluble wax pastels.

I think as pattern it is successful and it works well in the format. I have tried not to overwork it, and allow the pattern to dominate and not put much detail in the feathers.

Watercolour, pen and neocolour

Oh yes I nearly forgot last week’s image is a side view of a human skull showing the orbit and cheek bone