Thursday 31 October 2019

unpacking an inky month

This time last year I was writing about the 'failure' of my attempt to join in with Inktober. This year it's a different story, I started well and managed to complete the entire month. I'm pleased with the results and proud of myself. Sensible planning helped – I set my sights realistically, knowing a tile a day would be too much. Instead I decided to do every three days worth of tangles on ATC sized tiles.

Ta-da!  A handful of autumnal delights.

My Inktober experience brought pleasures both old and new from every direction. I enjoyed a return to tan tiles - time away from certain colour schemes has made me relish their rediscovery. I worked with fountain pens in two colours (Diamine's Raw Sienna and Deep Dark Orange). To begin with I was missing my black fine liner, with the all the control it offers. But the more I used the fountain pens the more I came to love their ways (not including the increased risk of smudging!) - and there's something truly thrilling about the variety of coloured inks available, and how economical and renewable they are compared to throwaway pens.

Days 1 to 3 - Printemps, Tunnelvizion, Toodles
Days 4 to 6 - Zonked, Jalousie, Flukes
Days 7 to 9 - Huggins, Bales, Lola

I tinkered about quite a bit before October began, both choosing my materials and deciding on a few embellishments that would carry a sense of unity across the tiles, and make them more cohesive as a group. I used lots of white gel dots on inked auras, as well as areas where I used the ink to make a paler wash, either left bare or tangled once dry - another benefit of working with liquid ink!

Days 10 to 12 - Cubine, InaFlux, Floo
Days 13 to 15 - Yin-Cut, Arukas, Mayhill
Days 16 to 18 - Trentwith, Dreamdex and Sindoo
Days 19 to 21 - Diva Dance, Antidots and Batumber

It was a pleasure to have my tangles chosen for me, doing away with the need for decisions. I worked with familiar tangles I love (Arukas, Antidots), some I struggle with (Tripoli, Ratoon) and others I rarely use (Trentwith, Jalousie). Trying to fit three (and on the last tile four) tangles onto relatively small tile made me think more about how tangles connect or overlap with each other - an area I sometimes struggle with. Links to all the tangles used can be found on this year's list - compiled with care by Stephanie Jennifer. If you didn't join in it's still a great resource to use at any point!

Sharing my pieces every three days in the 7F5R Challenge Facebook group has added to the feeling of being a part of a community effort. I've seen the wonders created by many of my friends, and I've discovered new tanglers whose paths I've never crossed before. I've seen people struggle and people soar - and I've seen 31 tangles used in a wild array of different ways.

Days 22 to 24 - Abundies, Pixiose and Baton
Days 25 to 27 - Tripoli, Ratoon and Crescent Moon
Days 28 to 31 - Well, Well, Who, Kuke, Nik and Florz

Who knows what I'll find myself doing next October, but for now I'm content to share these 10 tiles – a record of a challenge completed, a tan-toned tangle adventure, or merely the passage through one month of this particular autumn.

14 comments:

  1. This is so inspiring Jem. To read your process before and during is great food for thought. I love what you did for the month and am reminded that I have a dip pen and fountain pens. We need to use our stuff!Thank you for this great post!

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    1. Thank you Holly. I'm so glad I used my fountain pens - even though before I started they were clogged with dried ink that took ages to flush clean! It was worth it, and I've made sure to flush them out again now I've finished! I'm pleased I've inspired you to use yours!

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  2. These are amazing! Magical, mysterious keys to another realm. Your structured approach strengthens each tile. Thank you for sharing your gift.

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    1. Thank you Jennifer! Some tangles fitted together better than others, but three seems like a number that works well and allows for interesting opportunities.

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  3. I love your tiles!! I think your adventure with fountain pen inks is a very exciting and fascinating one! Thank you for sharing all your pieces with us. I am looking forward to seeing your Winter inklings already. Love.

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    1. Thank you Debbie! I think I'll be using fountain pens more often now, the ability to do a wash with the same / different ink excites me too. One more month of late autumn tangling to go (the colours will slowly start to fade) and then its Winter - and it will be stark for sure!

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  4. It sounds sad the way you say the colours will slowly start to fade .. but knowing you, I am confident that the change of season will be heralded by beautifully tangled transitions :) We’ve snuck in some items to complement your winter theme because we’re not confident the package will make it in time for late Autumn!! Haha..

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    1. Oh no, it's nothing to be sad about. It's the natural seasonal shift and I'm thrilled by it. I did a couple of months of Winter at the start of the year, but wasn't tangling as much then - but you can see my pieces here if you like -

      https://raggedray.blogspot.com/search/label/winter

      I'm so excited about your package. I've still got to finish some bits for yours but hopefully it will be setting off fairly soon!

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  5. omg these are fantastic! 10 tiles in a month! thats quite an accomplishment!

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    1. Thank you Artzy! Yes, it does feel like quite an achievement - setting my sights small helped though! A tile a day would have been way too much!

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  6. They're all so beautiful and I love your choice of colors.

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    1. Thank you Linda. I spent quite a while working out my colours before I started.

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  7. January is almost over and I am just discovering your
    wonderful Ink-October ACD's. These are done with some of my favorite colors. Love the fountain pen approach and you mastered it well. Thanks for letting us all view such beautiful and well done tiles. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for your comment Nancy. You're always welcome, however long it takes you to arrive!

      I'm glad you like my Inktober pieces - like you I loved working in these colours. And once I was used to the fountain pens they were a joy too - I need to fill them with different colours and get them going again I think!

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