Dreams of Rarotonga

A mixed media portrait, trying out caran d'ache water soluble crayons.

'Dreams of Rarotonga', mixed media, 12 ins sq., W/C paper

Although I often use caran d'ache non soluble wax crayons, I have never really used their water soluble variety in a painting or on a journal page, so I tried this out this morning.  

My aim was to keep the mixed media look throughout the work...with overlapping of stencils and collage in the background and on her face.

It was really interesting and fun to work this way.  Adapting techniques I've really only used in journal pages up til now. The bonus with water solubles is that if you don't like an area, you can wet it and lift it with a paper towel and re-apply a different colour, or paint over with acrylics.

The title was chosen because she has what looks rather like a hibiscus in her hair and I loved seeing the people wearing these flowers when I lived in Rarotonga for a few months many years ago.  (I liked to wear a flower in my hair every day when I lived there!!)

We seem to be getting some sunshine here in UK now after a lot of rain...maybe that brought this image to mind.

Hope you are having a creative week.

Bye for now.