The sketch is based on examples I found of a specialized Chinese brush-painting motif depicting birds, flowers and insects. This popular motif seems to have started around the year 900. The various types of insects and flowers carry rich symbolism drawn from Buddhism and Confucianism, or sometimes from plays on words. I haven't researched the specific symbols, though. Rather, I've copied the tradition but made it a little darker, making what looks at first like a beautiful nature scene into a dangerous world where survival is at risk and decay is evident -- a "survival of the fittest" sort of place.
Now to work on the color separations. Here are some examples of the painting tradition that I'll use to guide me in the color selection:
3 comments:
Waiting to see the next step! I love the colors..... I thought your Baren Forum comment about not proofing much interesting since I proof and tweak and proof and tweak. I'm either a control freak or very stubborn (the latter actually).
PS RE: comment on my blog: And I am teaching this same group Moku Hanga in the Spring!!!!
Yes to stubborn -- that's what I call myself, too. And hooray for teaching moku hanga! Let's spread the good news :)
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