The Wobbly Line ~ 10

Textures have taken over my life.

Hello!

Welcome to The Wobbly Line ~ 10. In true organised start of the year style….I am compiling this January newsletter on the 30th of January (I did already do my taxes last April though just to rub that one in..). I usually struggle in Jan, like a lot of people do, and this one had an extra sting when our family dog of 16 years had to be put down. His name was Artie and he was so handsome, so this month’s banner is in his honour :)

January ~ agenda.

1. Textures, textiles, & Welsh quilts.

2. Video; Testing out my Gelli plate for the first time.

3. February Substack info - Paid tier; what you get!

4. How have you worked procrastinated this Jan?

1. Welsh quilts.

Hopefully, if you know me, you’ll know that over the last few years I have been reading so much around folklore, in particular Welsh folklore. I absolutely love the stories that get weaved through history, based on superstition and symbols and coincidence and bad luck and basically anything that couldn’t well be explained. So, what’s this got to do with quilts? Well, maybe it’s not a perfect link, but in my research into welsh folklore, folk quilts kept appearing - stories told through quilt design. Whether this be using symbols, or the provenance of a pattern - I saw so many stories in them. I would LOVE to make my own one day, of course they wouldn’t be anywhere near as glorious as Carson Ellis quilts, but for now I’d like to illustrate them and make a small zine/postcard set to honour them. The quilt pictures below have been scanned from my copy of Welsh Quilts by Jen Jones. The red stars inspired the costume for my Fool in my folktale week 2022 entries.

2. Oil paints & a Gelli plate?

Hm. So, this didn’t go exactly as I had planned. I did try and do a larger one after this, that equally wasn’t great - but here is some crop image of texture I liked. My next step for this is to attempt more natural shapes (foliage, human form etc) on the gelli plate with oils and see how that goes. If that goes well, then perhaps my quilt project would do better with another method/medium. Keep you posted on this one!

3. February Paid Tier; what do I get JB?

Something wicked nonsensical this way comes! My paid tier of substack is fast approaching and I wanted to let you know what you’d get if you chose to subscribe :) I have so enjoyed writing my Wobbly Lines and letting you into my head, and non-linear creative process - and this will continue of course. However, there are so many more things that I want to share with you, that I am unable to due to time constraints and having to balance creative fun time with that dreaded thing called adulthood (financial stability and all that boring stuff). In order to get the best of both worlds, introducing a paid tier to my substack will allow me to offer so much more and not feel guilty about putting my time into creating and sharing with you all. SO, here’s what you get for your $6/£4.87 a month! :)

• 2/3 process videos monthly; timelapse process videos/explanations of how I use materials/sketches to final illustrations.

• 1 x face-to-camera video/podcast newsletter/slow sounds w. animation; something for your ears more than your eyes, to work alongside or to accompany you on walks.

• More in depth blog posts about particular themes; my folklore book ideas, my journey (from languages to nursing to now), future plans etc.

I will let you know when the first paid Wobbly Line is out and I hope to see you there! :) And just to make sure you know, The Wobbly Line in this monthly newsletter format will continue to be free.

4. C’mon Jabes, have you been procrastinating this month?

4a. Yes I have, it’s name is Crochet.

No idea how I came to this tbh. All of my life, zero interest in crochet. January - OBSESSED. I’m not sure if other creative brains, or anyone, gets this thing where they see a new craft to try and then get obsessed with it for a bit? Anyway, I’ve made a load of granny squares which I was going to make a hood out of. However, after showing photos of my idea to humans (to quote my dear tactful mother, “that is the most horrible thing I have ever seen”), I decided I’d make a tote bag instead. My next stage of procrastination domination is this crochet Fisken coat by Emilie at Wavelengths. My mum bought me little clay sheep buttons years ago, so - I have to surely? Rude not to? Hehehe…

4b. Granulation paints, textures, and my fave product.

I bought some granulating watercolours this month (I already had one and knew I loved it, so the investment wasn’t wholly a rash decision) and I love them. I can’t wait to use them on a finished illustration and in my sketchbook. A video of me testing out these watercolours, as well as creating an illustration with them, is coming next month to my paid tier subscribers! My favourites in these Schminke Granulating Watercolours, were Tundra Violet & Tundra Green. SO ENJOYABLE. But my favourite product of the month is Choosing Keeping ink in Army Green. Jane, Ed’s mum, gifted me this at Christmas and it is SO nice - also the bottle is pretty big and comes full to the brim so it’s definitely going to last me a long time. Having a peruse online I’m definitely going to invest in some more of these! You can see me using this next month too.

4c. Character sketches.

This year I am determined to finish a book idea I’ve had in my head for years. I’ve chatted to a children’s book publisher about it and they’ve given me great advice going forward. Luckily Sarah Dyer is beginning a series on her Patreon all about her own journey with a book idea this year and it’s definitely the incentive I need. I have a vague plan, but need to get thumbnailing and storyboarding (my worst things - I always end up getting stuck on a thumbnail I love and then never wanting to change it or say goodbye to it!). If you’re thinking of your own book this year then I’d highly recommend Sarah Dyer, Emma Carlisle & Ema Malyauka’s Patreon’s as well as The Good Ship Illustration Picture Book Course when it next opens its doors. I signed up to the latter about a year ago and I’m only just making my way through it but it’s very helpful indeed! Below are some studies and character sketches - the character sketches below I’m filmed too and that process will be available to view next month :)

The end of The Wobbly Line ~ 10

I hope you enjoyed The Wobbly Line ~ 10. Thank you as ever for allowing me into the space that is your email account, or your phone, or your brain. Can’t wait to show you what I’ve got lined up for next month :) Big love, JB x