Illustrative Experiments: Washi Tape

Eek! I’m sharing my own art on the blog today! And I don’t even usually make art!

Actually, that’s exactly why I decided to do this. I’ve been enjoying and sharing other people’s work for so long but never seem to find the time to get my own hands busy. I’m a very impatient person. When I try to make something out of something, the point where I give up just comes too quickly. That is frustrating, because all the beauty I come across while sharing art inspires me deeply and I do enjoy working with my hands a lot.

So: I’ve come up with a personal project that will make me spend time at my crafting table a whole lot more, for a whole year. Every month I will pick a new material (paper, paint, fabric and everything in between) which I will use to make illustrations with. For a year, every last day of the month I will share my creations on the blog. My goal is to get more comfortable with making things while exploring different materials I can use. And If you’re eager to make more yourself, I hope my project will inspire you to do so.

First month: Washi Tape

The Mapping Memories project by Speckled Canary & Omyage inspired me to start off my first month with Japanese washi tape, which comes in many beautiful colors and patterns. Mapping Memories is open for everyone to join and make an illustration of their favorite memory. I signed up and ordered a whole bunch of tape to get started with. I guess you could say the works I made this month are a preparation for the Mapping Memories illustration which I will be making next.

I could have made a lot more and I have dozens of things that feel unfinished in these illustrations. But, most important: I had an amazing time making them. I loved drawing the shapes, combining colors & patterns and found myself working on them till the early morning hours several times.

I created everyday items and portraits which I cut from drawings and then covered with washi tape. The everyday items were a lot of fun to do. I just made anything that came in my mind without working towards a final illustration.

 

Sandra Apperloo

Sandra Apperloo

Sandra Apperloo

 

The portraits were more challenging because I limited myself to brown, red & pink tape. I drew models from fashion magazines and slowly cut up the drawings to cover them with tape. I call them ladies in red 🙂

Sandra Apperloo

Sandra Apperloo

Sandra Apperloo

Sandra Apperloo

Sandra Apperloo