I decided to experiment with new materials to kick start a new year of artistic endeavours. After making detailed, controlled drawings with a unipin fineliner for some time I decided on a change. I visited the art shop and bought a little book of watercolour paper postcards, another watercolour pad, three little brushes and a pot of black Indian ink.

The aim was to produce quick, washy, experimental drawings, inspired by my themes but with a different feeling to them.

So far I have made three drawings and I am working on number four. I love the atmosphere that can be introduced with ink, a smudge can signify a tree line and a bold black line a tree trunk. The first drawing took around an hour to make, ridiculously quick compared to the days my usual technique commands. The second drawing is illustrative, inspired by a pen drawing from my Hampshire Walking Series, the finished drawing is bold and eye catching. The third drawing combines quick washy marks and tiny detail, a compromise between old technique and new.