Original artwork description:

'Mouse in the Wheat' is an original drawing in black ink on white watercolour paper. It shows a mouse straining up towards an ear of wheat - the tail, body and whiskers of the mouse and the stem and grains of the wheat creating elegant, decorative, complementary curves.

Cross-hatching, following the forms, has been used to gently suggest volume, while still allowing beauty of line to take pride of place.

Extreme meticulousness is needed when drawing in pen and ink - mistakes cannot be corrected and smudges or dirt can instantly spoil a picture. I find that I need complete concentration while working, as each stroke of cross hatching has to be carefully considered before it is committed to the page - its direction, length and strength can have drastic effects on the success of the composition.

The drawing is in black ink on a 20cm x 20cm sheet of Hahnemule natural white, acid free, 300g/m2, hot pressed, watercolour paper. It is initialled in the lower right.

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