Original artwork description:

'Safe Haven' is an original drawing in black ink on white watercolour paper. It shows a mouse, sleeping soundly, curled into a ball and enfolded in the protective curves of the leaves and stem of an ear of wheat. It is inspired by my cat, Lolly, who often curls up to sleep on a cushion in my studio while I work.

The composition is very decorative, drawing the eye around the body of the mouse as if gently caressing it. The cross-hatching technique adds to the decorative effect, contributing a delicacy and elegance to the forms.

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.

Materials used:

black ink on white watercolour paper

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