New Project

I stumbled into my new project when I was browsing my old friend, Zephyrinus (Link >>>Zephyrinus's <<< blog)  and saw a photograph of a vintage railway (railroad) engine.

   Now I'm not a particular fan of old trains, but this photograph grasped my muse and demanded attention.

I really wanted to 'paint' this scene, and but I wouldn't have done so without the permission of the photographer. Through the good offices of Zephyrinus I was able to contact Josh Friedman, a New York photographer, and Josh gave me permission; thanks Josh you're very kind ... and thanks Mr Z!! Now Josh's site is really well worth a visit and here is the link

 >>>--> JoshFriedmanPhoto

My next problem was how to do justice to Josh's work. Those that know me will tell you that I'm fundamentally, a Pen & Ink artist who paints. To draw the locomotive seemed the only way to bring out all the detail that makes up the old-gal. Also I needed to draw it very large.

I thought about it for a few days and I invented drawing on canvas direct with the pen... I have found out since that countless other people invented this system before me. Nevertheless, I invented it as well as I had never seen or heard of the system before.

The canvas is not a smooth canvas, I've chosen a medium cotton canvas which gives the drawing a unique texture. Considering that the photograph is 6 inches x 4 inches, the canvas is quite large at 31.5 x 23.5 inches. It needs to be as I am scaling the drawing up to five times larger than the photograph. The size is really important to what I'm trying to do - unfortunately on here it looks much the same size as the photograph. However, when it's finished I'll get it photographed with me ... then you will get the feel for it's size.

                                                                  Untitled                                             John Simlett
31.5 x 23.5  (80 x 60)
Pen & Ink and Oils on Stretched Cotton Canvas