scrape.

I recently acquired a precious new tool (scraper) and material (scraperboard) from my Dad's old-stuff-from-illustrating drawer. I've been really enjoying just sitting at my desk and experimenting with simple, fine patterns. It's almost meditative, letting the paint sit until it's bone dry, imagining the image and then beginning the slow, absorbing process of scraping away the thin layer of paint and china clay to reveal brilliant, sharp white lines. Dad is an absolute master with the stuff, and he's created some really beautiful, detailed illustrations. I on the other hand, am just pottering along and slowly working out how the medium works, while immensely enjoying it. I'm finding it's a bit like ping-pong - even if you're not any good at it it's still incredibly fun.

 This one was inspired by a detail I saw on a Russian tile pattern

 

Inspired by all the wonderful little Eastern Spinebills I've been seeing flying around lately. They are the closest thing to a hummingbird that we have in Australia. The flower is from a beautiful gum blossom (the brightest natural orange I've ever seen) that I came across on a walk.