Stipple Brush.

I’ve been continuing work on my large-scale painting - an experiment using wallpaper liner to push myself outside my comfort zone and try new approaches in scale and technique. Wallpaper liner, is relatively inexpensive compared to canvas, removing some of the pressure around resource use, allowing me to experiment freely without worrying too much about potential wastage if things don’t go as planned.

During our recent group critique, one of my peers suggested I try stippling brushes to achieve the textured effect I was struggling to create with tissue paper. Taking their advice, I purchased a set of stippling brushes, which are marketed for use with chalk paints, and began experimenting with how they interact with ink. The results have been really interesting. By using watered-down ink to create a lighter tone, I’ve been able to develop a soft, shadowy texture for the leaves, enhancing the dreamlike, ethereal quality I’m trying to achieve.

The stippling process has added depth and variation to the foliage, almost mimicking how light filters through a dense canopy. When I shared my progress with some coursemates, their feedback gave me a renewed sense of excitement. One person remarked that the composition reminded them of a cathedral, with the towering trees and interplay of light and shadow. This wasn’t an association I had initially considered, but I found it a beautiful interpretation - one that highlights how different perspectives can deepen even my own understanding of the work. They also recognised the dreamlike and ethereal qualities I’ve been aiming to convey in my exploration of cianalas, memory, and longing.

I feel invigorated about where this painting is heading. The stippling brushes have opened up a new way of working with texture, and I’m eager to refine this technique further. My goal is to complete the piece in the next few weeks, but I’m also mindful of letting the process unfold naturally, without rushing.

This painting represents a significant step forward in my practice - not only in scale but in how it’s challenged me to experiment and respond to feedback. I’m excited to see how it will turn out and to carry these lessons into future works.