More about my pen sketches of leaves in books.
These are sketches I completed a couple of weeks ago, trying to develop some of my ideas and images to a resolution. In these pictures I continue to be preoccupied with leaves, trees and imagery from nature, and with the formal and associative possibilities of the book form. What can the double page spread, the curve of an open book, the layering of sheets of paper add to my images? What added meaning and depth can the observed text, the associations with a fictional or factual text bring? So, more leaves in a book!
At present the idea has reached its fullest form in the book below. Leaves drawn in cross-hatched pen marks, sprouting from the spine of the book, raised above the level of underlying pages. These are also intended to be three-dimensional and sculptural objects, to remain open to view. Still to be completed and resolved-watch this space. The first image is zoomable.
Prior to the sketch above the leaves were drawn in a “moleskin” sketchbook, cut and folded to give an effect of growth and motion. I envisage the books as displayed open with the leaves becoming tree-dimensional. The impact of a strong directional light source creates drama, and emphasises the three-dimensional structure.
