Plaited hair

Sketch portrait. Drawing ink on paper. 20(h) x 15(w) cm

Architectural drawing pen ink, as was common place 20 years ago, dries with a violet and yellow bloom. It has a lightness and wash-like characteristic that can quickly be deepened to give tonal drama by simply adding more ink to the brush.

Portraits are my ultimate aim, but for now I'm a novice. It's fun however to scribble sketches like this to dabble in the special, and I think, the ultimate skill in the craft of painting.

There's no conscious complex composition or narrative here. No choice of colour. It's simply application of drawing ink and water and using one pointed brush as if its a pencil to draw what one sees. There's no particular aim other than to look and explore -  without implication.

I think the result is fun. It has a lightness and honesty.