Why work on rough paper?
Intensionally working on rough paper gives a boost to creativity because of the problems that need to be addressed that arise from extreme pretreatment.
Problems using rough paper and possible solutions
The bumpy and rough paper for Red Playground 8 and 9 forced me to expand my thinking to search for ways to deal with the surface. Â Accordingly, below are the problems I encountered and the solutions at which I arrived.
Problem 1: Drawing contiguous lines and shapes with the graphite.
Even though I used an old plastic clock face and straightedge to draw circles and straight lines, the roughness of the support prevented making good, clean lines and shapes with a graphite pencil. Â
Solution 1
This called for reinterpreting the design inspired by ‘Can Red Come Out to Play No.7 and 8’. Consequently, I decided to appreciate the line gaps, thus, work with them to celebrate the rough paper.Â
Moreover, the resulting lines and shapes were rough, unlike their forebears, therefore, satisfying my quest for “something new”.
Additionally, placing shapes and lines in Inktense can compensate for those I could not draw with graphite. Plus, additional linear elements with the pigment ink pen add complexity.
Problem 2: filling in shapes with Inktense.
Pre-treatment to make the rough paper caused the Inktense to wick beyond past the graphite boundaries I managed to place. Accordingly, the clean lines and shapes I so much enjoyed from ‘Red Playground-Finish what you started’ would not be replicated in these new works.
Solution 2
Therefore, I intensified the strength of the Inktense solution to avoid stressing the paper with more fluid. Moreover, there are sure to be interesting effects from the earlier wicking. However, it will require using my imagination even more.
Further, applying blue Inktense in the next session should solidify the work with the final layering of primary colours.
Problem 3: adding a sense of form
Because I wanted ‘Red Playground 8 and 9’, to relate as much as possible to ‘Red Playground – Finish what you started’ it is important to give them a sense of form. Â However, the rough paper will, indeed, make this challenging.
Solution 3
The solution remains unknown as I’m writing this. Nonetheless, I will find a way to add dimensionality to both pieces. Â I just have to be okay that most likely it will differ from the straight-forward sense of form contained in ‘Red Playground – Finish what you started.’ Â Furthermore, it gives me another chance to explore, solve problems, and expand my creativity.
Click to see larger image.
4. The bands across the top and bottom
Originally, I envisioned the bands that were added across the top and bottom to serve as a way to unify the two new works. Plus, they presented an opportunity to showcase the beautiful pretreatment of the paper.
Nonetheless, in my creative excitement, I accidentally added Inktense to the bands. Therefore, I had to pivot.
Solution 4
The lines will look awkward if I do not apply more Inktense. On the other hand, adding more colour affords greater opportunity to play with this design element.Â
problem solving on rough paper
By actively seeking and finding solutions to working on the rough paper I am pleasantly surprised by the plethora of ideas birthed that can be used on future works.
Next session, I add blue Inktense on top of the prior strong yellow layer, thereby giving way to a green. Furthermore, I anticipate the contrast and busyness of the blue on top of the yellow and red will need to be toned down. Similarly, I need be sure there is balance in the chroma and patterns of on the quadrants of each piece  as well as between the two works.
Then, finally, I need to work out introducing form or dimensionality to the piece in order for it to have a relationship with ‘Red Playground – Finish what you started’.Â
I very much look forward to doing this. Â You can read the next post, and the video by clicking here.
More on the creative process
A good, simply written essay on the creative process that may be helpful, titled, ” Five Key Stages of The Creative Process,” may help you in your creative journey.
“The creative process may seem like an abstract concept, but it does have a structure. We break it down in stages here”, writes artist and author, Wendy Rose Gould. Â The article can be read by clicking here.
Further, I invite you to find out more about my processes creating “Red Playground 8 & 9” by clicking on the boxes below.
Red Playground 8 and 9 blog posts with videos
