marianne
taymani
Large Buddha Drawing
The Preparatory
It took hours to prepare this work alone. Using a sturdy tape, I stuck four pieces of A2 paper together. I then proceeded to rip giant pieces of newsprint and brown paper to create an enlarged version of the background which had adorned my smaller drawings. Online, I researched images of Hong Kong newspaper articles, one of which is displayed on the left.
I then proceeded to rip the Chinese articles, Leaving some face down to stick on later and reveal with water, and others simply face up.
After having done that, I covered the large piece of paper in PVA glue and tracing paper.
it took an hour to sand the tracing paper after it had dried, and a lot of scrubbing on my hands and knees with a block of sandpaper. When the surface was satisfactorily uneven, I used large amounts of graphite powder which I continued to rub into the tears with my hands.
The following day, I researched Buddhist symbols, Symbols used are displayed in the slideshow next to the photo of the finished Buddha, I adorned the top of the tracing paper, especially in corners with religious icons that I stuck face down. I also attached the aforesaid articles of Chinese newspaper face down.
Furthermore, I researched a variety of 'tree silhouettes' and 'tree branches' to stick face down, with the intention of shadowing the legendary Bod-hi Tree in Buddhist history.
Pursuing this concept of legend, I also stuck fairy-tale maps face down, especially in the top left-hand corner, but also throughout the work. This alludes to the unknown origin of the original Bod-hi tree and a quest for enlightenment.
Lastly, I scrubbed the face-down images with water and my fingers to display the printed image with a distorted, torn and vintage look.
The Drawing
My first drawing (A5, jagged surface, ink pen)
My second drawing of the same Buddha, A4 biro, masking tape strips for surface- I found I preferred the background of the smaller drawing.
I did the drawing part of this Buddha for six unbroken hours at school, At first, I foolishly tried to do the drawing with a biro. I immediately found the pen incompatible with the scale and no matter how many marks that I made, It got washed out on the textured and darkened-with-graphite background.
I then attempted, with no cigar, to do the drawing with a sharpie. Whilst the marks were visible, they were not striking enough for my satisfaction.
I previously displayed on the Previous page that my first large-scale piece. This piece seemed slightly faded and without enough contrast. I therefore decided to use the sharpie pen just to outline the proportions and shape of the Buddha.
after that I selected 3 different varieties of ink; a blue toned Parker Ink, a bottled green-based ink and an extremely dark Indian Ink. I diluted all three with a lot of water until they were barely visible and flicked them with a paintbrush onto the paper. I then added more and more ink until I got the desired effect of splashes darkening where the image showed shadows. I also brushed spots of diluted ink in the background.
I used the same inks to drip down from the drawing, this was to show the effect of fluidity and the Buddha's robes falling around his arm, and to also paint the image.
I then used white paint, slightly diluted to show highlights. When this was done I took a photo (shown on the right)
Lastly, I stood back and saw that the drawing seemed to lack something. I then decided that it must have been colour so splashed turquoise ink throughout.
I also dipped my fingers in black ink which I dotted the drawing with to create dimension, and did the same with the white paint.
Some handprints were added and the drawing was done.
Finishing Touches
What went well?
I greatly enjoyed working in this scale, and drawing in the style of Ian Murphy. I review this drawing with pride seeing it as visually striking and dynamic and I wish to take away from it the use of different coloured inks, cross hatching and surfaces with meaning, or writing behind,
Click on large image of buddha to maginify it and see the subtle details