{"title":"Pen And Watercolour","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"margot-with-alliums","title":"Margot with Alliums","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eThis pen and watercolour piece captures a joyful moment in my kitchen garden, inspired by a favourite photograph of my beloved cat Margot as she affectionately rubs her face against a watering can among wild, exuberant alliums. The playful clusters of white flowers—each a happy sphere atop thick stalks—contrast with the soft elegance of Margot and the rich, shifting hues of the composition. I love exploring unexpected colour harmonies, so you’ll spot splashes of unlikely tones that challenge the viewer’s eye and add vibrance to the scene. The frame, finished in copper, echoes the warmth and character of the watering can.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eMy process starts with a pencil sketch, followed by layers of pen work using fade-proof inks and varied nib sizes for both bold shading and delicate textures; I mix black, grey, and touches of sepia for depth. Finally, I add translucent watercolour washes, building up tonal contrasts from light to dark, to bring the whole scene to life with a gentle radiance.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Lou Spearing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55851090870616,"sku":null,"price":560.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/2481\/6472\/files\/Margot_with_Alliums_V2_4000.jpg?v=1761214735"},{"product_id":"catnip","title":"Catnip ","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eThis pen and watercolour piece captures Biryani asleep in a patch of Nepeta or Catnip- inspired by a gorgeous photograph of Biryani, Margot's mother, as she sleeps peacefully, stupefied by the scent of the plant. The lush colours of the blue\/ violet\/ purple flowers and their strong green leaves create a striking backdrop to the tabby cat, her stripes and her crazy furry tail! This composition is much more traditional than my others, with realistic colour and tone - I purposely left a white corner to draw the eye to the sleeping cat and keep the viewers focus on the subject. The simple black wooden frame lends the artwork a cosy, cottagy feel and harks back subtly to the Victorian love of sentimentality in animal portraiture.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eMy process starts with a pencil sketch, followed by layers of pen work using fade-proof inks and varied nib sizes for both bold shading and delicate textures; I mix black, grey, and touches of sepia for depth. Finally, I add translucent watercolour washes, building up tonal contrasts from light to dark, to bring the whole scene to life with a gentle radiance.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Lou Spearing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55851091034456,"sku":null,"price":460.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/2481\/6472\/files\/CATNIP_4000.jpg?v=1759204126"},{"product_id":"circus-wild","title":"Circus Wild","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\"Circus Wild\" is a pen and watercolour celebration of magical joy, inspired by a vibrant photograph of a mischievous monkey enjoying a stolen lollipop at a temple in Thailand, captured by my goddaughter during her travels. To enhance the story, I set the scene within a whimsical circus world, bursting with colour and life—where younger monkeys watch with hopeful eyes, dreaming of their own sugary prizes. The composition channels the energy and theatrical flair seen in Dame Laura Knight’s circus paintings, creating a backdrop that is even more fantastical than the original photo.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAs with my other work, I begin by plotting the design in pencil, then layer on fade-proof ink with nibs of varying sizes for dramatic and delicate shading, blending black, grey, and hints of sepia for depth. The image comes alive through translucent watercolour washes, carefully built from light to dark, adding panache and joyful exuberance to this playful scene.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Lou Spearing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55851093950808,"sku":null,"price":760.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0918\/2481\/6472\/files\/CIRCUS_WILD_4000.jpg?v=1759204126"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.theartexhibitionists.co.uk\/collections\/pen-and-watercolour-1.oembed","provider":"The Art Exhibitionists ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}