What you will need:
- Derwent Tinted Charcoal Paint Pan Set
- Derwent Watercolour Paper
- Derwent Inktense Paper
- Eraser
I decided to do another painting inspired by my residency in China in 2019. After one attempt on some Derwent Watercolour Paper, I did another version on Derwent Inktense Paper; which I preferred as it was much easier for me to get the effects and atmosphere I wanted. I could also make areas lighter with an eraser. If I wanted to make a specific shape lighter, I would make a stencil by cutting the shape on a thin piece of card and then using an eraser on that.
The range of tones were subtle yet harmonious and so I used the cooler tones for the distance and the warmer tones in the foreground. I like the amount of control I had and yet only a single layer could provide enough depth, it never needed more than 3. However it was also possible to put a light wash over an area without disturbing the layers underneath, which was very useful and gave me a lot of control. The paint also blended well if I was painting wet on wet.
The title ‘While the city was busy we decided to rest’ came from a song by Captain Beefheart; that reminded me of the necessity to take time away to contemplate and get in touch with that small still voice that too much business can sometimes drown out.
