Painting Conversations- with Emily Ball

Life's been a little manic lately, so it's been kitchen table creating when I can't find much studio time.

So this mark making exercise from Emily Ball on Instagram was just the ticket to get the pastels and pencils out and the brain engaged.

It's a straightforward exercise and I took inspiration for the marks on a grid of landscape details I'd photographed at the coast.

I've included screenshots of the stages below, along with my little studies.

Some of my Kitchen Table Studies!

With a little cropping I can see what, if any composition I like.

None of them are masterpieces, but that's not the point.

This exercise is about experimentation and developing a visual language in response to experiences. The process of doing them from photographs has also helped recall and embed the places and things I was drawn to.

It's a great warm up exercise to get into the groove before starting painting too!

Interestingly, I have seen some of these marks, that originated from the pattern of rope threads, appear in my ceramic vessels. So obviously something made an impression on me!

If you want to find out more about Emily Ball, her Instagram pages are full of inspiration.

Emily Ball Painting

Emily Ball at Seawhites