Cairn Holy: To paint or not to paint? by Fiona Phipps

Hi Fiona yes it looks a sound composition and well worth the effort to paint it i look forward to seeing it done . Lovely stuff Fiona.

Well I know what I do in cases of doubt - with the help of a bit of tracing paper I would pencil a copy on a second bit of paper and then go over it with the pen keeping it just as loose as this lovely sketch and voila!! You've now got two for the price of one (well almost) If adding washes doesn't work you've still got an original to add to your collection.

I think you will make a lovely job of painting this Fiona.

I always love your line and wash work, so I'm sure it'll turn out great, Fiona. But Michael's idea is brilliant - the original plus a line and wash version. It sounds great!

It is a really well drawn stand-alone sketch in its own right Fiona. However, I would not be able to resist throwing some paint on it, as I would. Looks like an etching, excellent drawing skills.

Michaels idea is a good one, but I must admit I like this as it is, but then I like all your pen work.

I like this as it is Fiona but would also like to see it with washes added. Try Michael's idea, worth a try I would think.

Just add the paint Fiona if you haven't already!

Thank you very much everyone for your ideas and feedback. I&#39;ve done a sketch of the sketch and am in the process of throwing some colour at it......Alan, Louise!!lol<br />I may have gone a tad over the top with the washes.........as I do!<br />Thanks again

It&#39;s a great drawing Fiona and you can easily do another one and add the washes on that. No need to trace either just similar but a bit different and then you&#39;ll have two. Looking forward to seeing it.

Thanks Satu! I&#39;ve done another freehand drawing from this one, not exactly the same but that doesn&#39;t matter does it.

I think the decision to paint was the right one. This is a super sketch done with your usual skill with the pen but the washes have added that extra touch and given the sketch extra impact.

Thank you for that Thea. I don&#39;t know about you but if I plant the seed of doubt about how it will turn out with washes, that&#39;s it, might as well bin it there and then! But when you think about the time and effort it takes to draw the original (10-15 mins) and even less time to draw the copy, does it really matter.