“Balloons (Experiment)”

Twenty years ago I created (and lost) a sketch that I called “Balloons” that I really liked, and have made many attempts at recreating it.

Part of the process was grossly enlarging the 2″ original scan to a large print (in reverse), then doing an oil-based ink etching/screening using an overhead slide projector transparency sheet with 140lb hot pressed watercolor paper. See this example to see what this can look like. It’s pretty fun (but messy).

Once scanned in and digitized, I had lots of room to play. This version I felt was worth publishing, as I liked the intricate and weird details as you zoom in closer (see below).