David introduced us to Roger Swan.  Roger talked a little about himself.  As a youngster he always knew he wanted to be an artist and so did his brother and they both went into art college and then onto work for advertising agencies.  At the age of 21 he was sent out to Pakistan and enjoyed his time out there.  Later, and back in England, he set up his own studio and was eventually joined by his brother.  Their collaboration lasted for some time until the computer age came along and the world changed!  Nowadays, Roger runs his own art courses from a separate studio and gallery from home at Littlebourne, near Canterbury.   His wife, Lindsay, also runs classes there – it’s an idyllic spot in the middle of rolling countryside – very inspirational to spend some time there.  If anyone was interested in finding out more, Roger said full details of his classes are on his website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before he started work Roger explained that he would be working on two or three pictures during the course of the evening – in  order to show different uses and how adaptable the Inktense pens could be.  This is also because he works very quickly – a habit he learnt through his work in agencies where work was demanded instantly!

 

Inktense was a new medium for him and he really hadn’t done much work with the pencils - so was still learning.  He explained that usually with a new medium he would have one, two or three goes to see what was possible and if he could improve on things.           

                          

Inktense is useful he explained when you want to use colour and if you’re not happy with a brush for drawing.  Also these Inktense colours are far more vibrant than ordinary watercolour pencils.  Also, a little gouache is always useful if you make a mistake or want to change something - it can get you out of a lot of problems!

 

So – he suggested – choose a subject that is brilliant.  He had definitely gone for colour tonight.  The first picture was of two brilliantly coloured parrots. “Start with the black pencil.  I change the way I hold the pencil depending on what I am doing so – like a pen if I want accuracy and floppy for a more sketchy movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The watercolour paper I am using is 140 gsm and is ‘Not’.  Yes, you should always stretch the paper particularly when you are using a lot of water.  I like to use a lot of water and see what happens.  With a decent paper that is well stretched you get the chance to go over it again and again with more water.  I’m using a Saunders Waterford paper.”

 

He was colouring in the black now – leaving where it became greyer – white for now – this could be floated in with the water and he would get the tone he needed depending on the amount of water he used.  He would only put in the dark shades where they were dark.  Next with the blue – then yellow – then red.  Now to the background.  He wanted loose foliage – so green and blue.  “When I put the water on I can make the lighter colours”

 

“I don’t use a tiny brush – this for me is only useful for botanical art.  I love these Rosemary brushes – they are hand-made and brilliant.  Now I’ll be using a medium size.  With the fine tip you can still get a little detail when you need it.  I like it to run a little – I like the freedom” he said as he splashed on some water to his birds.  “These (Inktense) will give you the brilliance that watercolours seldom do.”

 

“Give it a go – try freestyle!  Even if you usually like something tighter.”  He explained that he might do the same subject several times stopping at different places if he liked what he had achieved – even if it looked unfinished.

 

He complained that one of the black he had been using was like a pencil and didn’t dissolve as it should with water - and there was no light blue in the set!  There were lots of ways of applying the ink.  You could use the tip of the pencil and wet it – or while the paper was still wet go in with another colour.

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                          Roger's Irises before and after the application of water

 

  

Next subject was a stormy day.  Again he had sketched it in before.  He just splashed some water on – and left it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Roger's initial Stormy Day sketch was passed around - then the magic happened!