Sophie Ashdown

I’m continuing with my 30/30 challenge to make a piece of art each day for 30 days.

The first few days were challenging as I’m not used to creating every day. It’s not easy to fit in the time amongst everything else but I’m determined to complete this challenge.

For day 4 I decided to do something a little different. Rather than a randomised pattern of straight lines and recognisable shapes I wanted to do something more fluid.

This piece is an abstract landscape scene with a striking sky. It was good to have more fluidity with the pen, without using a ruler. I like how the rolling “hills” change and undulate depending on how close or wide I made the parallel lines. Often I can’t fully see the pattern the lines create until I’ve finished the section and take the time to step back and look at it as a whole. It’s very satisfying to see what shapes the lines make, seemingly of their own accord.

For day 5 I wanted to try something new again. It is a style I’ve seen in other patterns by usually with all wavy lines. I decided to try this technique with circles and straight lines. The pattern on its own without accentuating the joins was pleasing enough but there is something special about how the pattern feels once the mins have been inked in.

(Apologies the photo is a bit off centre!)

The piece is actually quite simple but so effective. I’m not sure if there is a term for this technique but I really like it and enjoyed making it.

I am treating each of these A5 pieces as studies for potential larger pieces I would want to make. I am really tempted by the day 5 pieces to take something quite large, maybe A3 to begin with to see how well it scales up, then consider going bigger depending on the outcome.

At the end of this challenge I will select my favourites and see what works for going bigger depending it may be that I end up combining more than one technique into a new piece. M not sure yet but I’m excited about it.