I’ve redrawn this border from my Dalesman nature diary featuring the walk around the lake at Newmillerdam Country Park, near Wakefield. In the first version, I thought that the pen and ink was competing too much with the text. To soften it I’ve gone for:
- soft B pencil instead of black ink
- textured watercolour paper instead of smooth cartridge
- loose brushwork, all with a no. 10 sable round, instead of trying to define what textures are
I love both versions. The detail and colours are gentle which I find very appealling. I’m going to enjoy having a long look at them:)
I’m looking forward to trying out on subsequent spreads; I’ve got a country lane with spring flowers, which should work well and Bilberry Wood in the Yorkshire Dales. The format would also work well for a beachcombing page.