Finally finished!
It's a massive drawing by Pen and Ink standards - it's all ink by the way ... I have never put so much ink on one piece of paper before! Goodness knows how many pen strokes there are in it.
The Picture is 18 inches high and 24 inches wide (450 x 600). The beauty of its size is that it captures the light pouring into the West cloister in contrast to the darkness of the South Cloister
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| The Cloisters, Gloucester Cathedral, England John Simlett (2012) 18 inches x 24 inches (450mm x 600) Pen & Ink on Cartridge Paper |
As usual the values are downgraded in the transfer, for example, the wall Priscilla is approaching is almost hidden in a shadow.
I've tried lots of photographs... but I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave it until I've been to the printers to get it shown properly.
Here is one of me as well!
This cloister was used, by the film-makers, as the corridor in Harry Potter's Hogwart School ... but Priscilla ignored him. She said something about, 'Slugs and snails and puppy dogs tails ... versus, sugar and spice and all things nice!" (For newcomers: Priscilla represents the girls in my family)
It is amazing, even with the photographic distortions.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean
ReplyDeleteA work of incredible difficulty and beauty. Congratulations John for this painting that deserves a place in a permanent exhibition or in a museum, to be admired by all. Ciao!
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind to an old man, Tito. Thank you for your comment. Ciao
DeleteMagnificent, John! What a masterpiece! I'm curious - do you work on one segment at a time to completion, or do you work over the entire piece gradually building up values?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathryn.
DeleteBoth really! The dark part was revisited and revisited, building up the values. The lighter piece was mostly done in sections. Both these stages are ordered and controlled ... whilst the third stage (if it arrives) is totally automatic: the pen takes over and all I do is look at each section and the pen does the rest ... often a dark line where I would never have planned one (that's the buzz bit!)
Wow! You must have SO much patience! Far more than I would have! But it is clearly so worth it - what an amazing drawing you have got out of it. Fantastic and awe inspiring :0)
ReplyDeleteI'm not know for being particularly patient, Sandra - I just enjoy it (most of the time - until the muse leaves my shoulder)
DeleteThank you for your kind comments ;0)
A monkish work, we would call it in Dutch! Amazing job, John! I laughed at the title of your post!
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my stuff printed in Holland in the 1980s, they said my style was very Dutch and showed me some old prints ... which shocked me, they looked like mine (but better!)
DeleteI thought it looked familiar! It is a massive painting of a complicated subject in any medium. You did a phenomenal job (as I knew you would). I do admire your tenacity and patience John.
ReplyDeleteYour approval is always important to me, Linda - you are very kind and generous; thank you.
DeleteDear John, a masterpiece! A exceptional work,
ReplyDeletean architecture that fascinates the viewer's eye.
Pen and ink become MAGIC in your hands!
This is definitely a Masterpiece, John!!! I am left with no words. Perfect piece!!! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilda. I'm always pleased when I see that YOU like the drawing
Deletewow...what a drawing! I love the dark and light theme...it is perfect, and "Priscilla" always looks just right..very nice touch!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celeste. I always hold your work in high esteem, therefore praise from you, is praise indeed!
DeleteOutstanding and breathtaking all rolled into one!
ReplyDeleteThank yo so much, Pat. So nice of you to drop in.
DeleteYour ability with the intricate details is just phenomenal, John. I especially love the light you've captured in Priscilla's hallway.
ReplyDeleteSherry! Thank you so much. You are always so supportive
DeleteWow, it's breathtaking. John, your ability to draw this in pen and ink, and in such a large scale has me in awe of your magnificent ability. Well done John.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Joan. Thank you for your kind comments
DeleteJohn this is fabulous!! Takes you right back to the magical, wizarding world of Hogwarts! I just love it!! Were you covered in black ink by the end? I went to pick my son up from school yesterday after spending the day painting and realized I had paint all over. I really should glance in a mirror before heading out the door:) Anyway love this piece and your boat drawing!!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's me, Carrie's Creations:) For some reason I'm signed in under another profile:(
DeleteThere's only one, Carrie :0)) Thank you for your comments. No I don't get ink all over myself ... but paint would be disastrous for me!
DeleteWell, this was certainly worth the wait, John! What you do with ink and a piece of paper is just incredible. And I am so happy to see, Priscilla as I think she provides a wonderful sense of perspective and depth. In looking closely at the finished piece I am wondering how in the world you achieve all those levels of gray in the foreground?
ReplyDeleteYour work is so inspiring!
I might well have left Priscilla out of things but for your initial prompting, Susan. Even then I wasn't sure, it wasn't until I drew the small door at the far end that I realised she was needed.
DeleteI draw with two pens, one provides a line 0.25 mm wide and the other 0.1 mm. By varying the space between the lines, and layering I get a whole range of values from the one bottle of ink! Some times it turns out better than anticipated and at other times worse ... I seldom achieve that which I had visualised! :0)
John, yet again your work has my jaw hitting the floor. Truly amazing. It is such a shame that technical limitations prevent us from seeing this as I imagine it probably looks for real. It is breathtaking here ... it must be out of this world in the flesh. \amazing work ... I salute you!!
ReplyDeleteJohn, from one with such drawing skills as your good-self, I greatly value your comments, thank you.
DeleteI bet you will sell a zillion prints of this!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Celeste. In today's secular society architecture of this type might not be welcome.
DeleteSuch beautiful detail John! I always enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura. I'm overdue visiting you for a cup-of-tea
DeleteBreathtaking! Astounding detail but it doesn't overpower the drawing - it is a perfect balance. Love how you achieved the shadows, the dark and lights. The halls reminded me of Harry Potter before I read - then again everything British reminds me of Harry Potter these days. :)
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter seems to dominate most peoples views of Britain theses days ... it could be worse :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments, Dan.