The challenge gave me just what I needed to pull it out. While Laura gave us instructions to draw our own, I found a layout online and traced it onto some grey paper. I love the look of a labyrinth, it is so graphic. But at the same time, as the designs are so often in gardens, I didn't want to go graphic but wanted it to have a more natural feel to it. I drew in brown ink for the basic out line and then used a micron to draw Betweed in the spaces. I "walked" this labyrinth several times while making this piece. First to draw it, then to draw Betweed, then to embellish the design and then finally to shade.There are some great labyrinth paths on line and I think that I will have to check them out and see what else I can come up with. Drawing my own would also be a great place to start and see what I can come up with.
Last week Ginny Stiles asked me to show her my dip pens that I use. I was unable to figure out how to load a photo in the comments so I am posting a photo here. The pens in the image are the three that I use most often. The brown with the gold nib is one that I can change out the nibs on. I use my pen for drawing and not calligraphy, so I keep the nib to one that makes a thinner line. There are those that can make a thick line but I haven't used them much. All I can say about working with a dip pen is practice. It takes a light touch and dipping in the ink often to keep the line the same. I am by no means an expert. I have made many mistakes and am really just making it up as I go. My favorite ink is Winsor and Newton drawing ink. It mixes easy and has great color saturation. I just have an initial set but there are tons of colors. Anyway, I hope that seeing the pens help Ginny.
Have a great week everyone! Thanks for taking a look and for your wonderful comments.
