Ho! Ho! Ho!... Oh dear!

Happy Christmas!
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Oops… I think I might have got slightly confused with the sizing system when I ordered this outfit! Oh well.

I just wanted, on behalf of Estelle and I, to wish you a wonderful and very merry Christmas!

Love
Basil xx

Did you know?... Sepia

Angry sea bird spotting a cuttlefish
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

We’re all familiar with the romantic sepia tone of old photographs, but the name actually comes from “Sepia Officinalis”, the latin name of the common cuttlefish.

Sepia is a natural dye found in the ink bags of the cuttlefish, who, when under threat, releases the dark brown ink to take cover.

To be honest if I was feeling threatened by this kind of angry looking predator, I’d release some ink too!

In the late 18th century a technique was developed where those bags were dried and the ink extracted in concentration high enough to use in paint, particularly in watercolour.

The colour is a very dark brown, almost black. Each species of cephalopod produces slightly differently coloured inks; for example the octopus produces black ink and squid ink is blue-black. Only the cuttlefish ink is used as art material.

Sepia drawings were much celebrated towards the end  the 18th century, but Sepia being a dye, not a pigment, fades over time when in contact with light, so most of those drawings are now a subtle bleached yellow-brown memory.

We now have modern pigments which are permanent and come in the same range of colour, to replace this natural ink.

Stay tuned...

Sources: The materials and Techniques of paintings, Kurt Wehlte; Wikipedia

The Geek: Sanguine

Basil's playmate
Sanguine and graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Now...I am not sure about the choice of the illustration here! Personally I find it totally inappropriate; I suspect that it comes in retaliation for the paw marks that were, allegedly, found on some drawings last week… tsk, tsk!

Anyway... let's talk about Sanguine.

Sanguine is a drawing medium, a coloured crayon with a sensual reddish colour, taking its name from the French word “sanguin” meaning “bloody”.

Encased in wood like a pencil, it is made of a fine clay which contains naturally occurring iron-oxide - geeky name for rust - which gives it a wide range of shades from delicately yellowish to deep red and even violet. It has a texture close to chalk, it’s very flexible and can make quite sharp lines, but also blends beautifully smooth.

The sanguine line, compared to the black charcoal, has a softer and almost sensual feel that lends itself naturally to figure drawing with a colour similar to skin tone, it also works wonderfully on coloured paper.

It is said that towards the end of the 1400’s, Leonardo da Vinci was one of the first to see the potential of these red earths for drawing and Michelangello used them for some of his studies for the Sistine Chapel in the early 1500’s.

Source: The material and techniques of painting, Kurt Wehlte.

"We're gonna need a bigger boat..."

Usual Suspects: Batida Maracuja
Oil painting by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Well, actually we're gonna need a bigger studio! Estelle is currently working on a commission, for a collector in Milan, of 6 paintings of her shoe series: 'Usual Suspects'.

There are drawings of shoes all over the studio, floor, walls, everywhere!

I've managed to keep my desk safe, for now, but I have been asked nicely, but rather firmly, to get out of the way. Something about paw marks on the drawings.

Anyway normal service will resume very soon. In the meantime, ladies, I'm available for brunch, lunch, dinner...

Stay tuned

On a personal note... Movember

Basil does a Movember
by the Photoshop fairy

It’s Movember! (all you need to know about Movember here)

It has to be said that Mother Nature hasn’t blessed us all with the same ability to grow controllable facial hair!

Since the beginning of the month I have tried to grow a moustache, but apart from a few stray whiskers it hasn’t been a remarkable success.

As embarrassing as it is, I had to resolve myself to call in the Photoshop fairy. Mind you she did a great job, don’t I look dashing?!

Stay tuned…

Gossip: The Mystery Feathers

Mystery Feathers, Clue n.1

Preparations of the Open Studio have now moved to full gear, there is so much going on, which explains my sparse posting, but I will try to keep you informed of the developments.

Yesterday these feathers were delivered by special courier, Estelle was very excited about it but she wouldn’t tell me what they are for. She says it’s still a little secret and all will be revealed in good time. Any of you have any idea? Suggestions?

I already have a few leads that I need to pursue further… more on this when I know more…

Stay tuned…

On a personal note... Open Studio Preparation

Make mine a bag of hazelnuts!
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Sorry for not posting as much as I would like to at the moment, but Estelle and I are preparing the Open Studio Show. The show will include a tour of the Daily Mouse’s offices so I am trying to make it human friendly, not an easy task!

If you come and visit please do not bring any cheese, to be honest I prefer chocolates…

Stay tuned…

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

"Honey, you're staring"
Indian ink and watercolour by Estelle Rocca-Serra

We're almost reaching the end of the series of the Limited Edition: Shueya Secretary. Here is  “Honey, you're staring”.

This limited edition series of originals is composed of 5 Secretaries, click here to see the complet set.

They are still a few sets available, feel free to contact Estelle directly (email) for more details.

Stay tuned...

Did you know... Ivory Black?

Elephant Moon
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Traditionally Ivory Black pigment, as its name suggests, was made of raw ivory cuttings, packed tightly in irons pots, to exclude as much oxygen as possible, and placed in large kilns. The carbonisation of Ivory, in this oxygen free environment, produced the beautifully fine and slightly blue tinged pigment.

Only highly experienced, and therefore rather old, firing masters would know the perfect combination of temperature and firing time, by testing the surface of the kiln with the back of their hand. A lost art.

The genuine pigment has not been seen on the market since the 1940’s and nowadays only the name remains, even though the current pigments are made of charred bones.

Well, regarding the use of Ivory, we can completely understand the attitude of the elephant here… Moon away my friend, moon away!

Stay tuned...

Source: The material and techniques of painting, Kurt Wehlte.

In Depth: Solvent Abuse

The not so proud mother
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

At the studio we have observed a rather high incidence of solvent abuse in the studio fly community, with multiple recidivists.

I’ve done some research and it seems flies are attracted to the smell of Turpentine and before they know it they’re all high! Flying erratically and more often than not ending up in emergency crash landing on the oil painting itself… such silly junkies!

The rescuing process is a very delicate and time consuming one, but I’m not quite sure of the usefulness of a rehab facility though.

Flies are not the only one conducting themselves in a disorderly fashion, just this year an owl was taken in, for been drunk, by the German police (read the article here). Alcohol abuse is frowned upon in the owl community.

Apparently substance abuse is widely spread in the animal kingdom: overripe fruits, locoweed, rock lichen, mushrooms of course! and so many more. Not that I would particularly know about substance abuse, obviously…!

Stay tuned...

Source: Australian Geographic

Exclusive: Private View Invitation

Request your invitation
Opne Studio Show Private View, 24th Nov 2011

It my great pleasure to let you know that your are invited to the Private View evening of the Winter edition of the Open Studio Show, on the 24th November.

Feel free to contact Estelle (email) to request your invitation and the information flyer. If you come to the show, pop in to see Estelle and I in studio 231West, it would be so lovely to meet you, and I can give you a tour of The Daily Mouse offices!

Did you know that to receive news about Estelle’s upcoming exhibitions, projects, as well as invitations to private views and other events, you can subscribe to the Little Extras email newsletter here.

Stay tuned…

Follow up: A Shueya in Pocklington

"Shueya and her entourage"
Estelle's paintings at The Acorn Gallery

The paintings have arrived safely at The Acorn Gallery in Pocklington (Yorkshire), as you an see they are already on the wall. Their installation "Shueya and her entourage" looks great!

It was a bit of an adventure for the Shueya… all the details are on the gallery’s blog (here and here), feel free to nose around

Stay tuned…

On a personal note… The View

Studio 231West: View from the News Desk
The Reality

This little note is specially for you who visited 231West during an open studio show, and, incidentally, might have thought the studio is always all neat, cosy and tidy…

This is the current view from the Daily Mouse news desk. 

Personally I’d prefer a river view… I did suggest a bit of Feng Shui to Estelle, but I don’t think it has been well received.

Stay tuned...

Breaking News: Shueya goes to... Yorkshire!

"Does my bum look big in this?"
Oil on canvas by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Exclusive: The Acorn Gallery in Pocklington, Yorkshire, will be featuring some of Estelle’s paintings.

If you are in the area, pop in the gallery, Estelle told me the owners, John and Diane, are really friendly and the gallery is very welcoming, with lots of fun art.

“Does my bum look big in this?” as well as “Black Velvet”, “Bellini” and “Black Russian” from the Usual Suspects series, will be on display… a Shueya with 3 cocktails…well, that's a bit of an explosive mix!

Stay tuned…

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

"Darling... I don't make coffee"
Indian ink and watercolour by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Still going through the series of the Limited Edition: Shueya Secretary, we are half way through. Here is  “Darling... I don't make coffee”.

This limited edition series of originals is composed of 5 Secretaries, click here to see the complet set.

They are still some sets available, feel free to contact Estelle directly (email) for more details.

Stay tuned...

Did you know?... Castor Oil

Beaver, one of Basil's cousin
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Castor oil is extracted from the bean shaped pods of the fruit from the castor-oil plant... not from our little friend the Castor (Beaver).

As an oil painting medium it would be ideal as it doesn’t go yellow at all, which is extremely rare. The yellowing potential of an oil is a decisive factor in its usability, but so is also its drying time and unfortunately castor-oil dries so slowly it cannot be used for oil painting.

Due to its very desirable non yellowing property and low staining power, research was carried out, successfully, to find ways to make it dry quicker, but then the problem became a too high viscosity…

Hopefully one day, the guys in the labs will find a way to make it all work into the perfect painting oil.

Stay tuned…

Gossip: Lunatyc

Sneak peek at Lunatyc
Ink and watercolour by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Estelle has been working with a Spanish designer to create a range of boutique clothing. I can’t tell you more right now, or I'll be sent to the naughty corner, but here is a little taster of Lunatyc.

Stay tuned...

Sketch of the Day

Oops... Sorry!
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

On the canvas, woman! The paint is supposed to go on the canvas!

Interview with Kabira Alieva

 Narsharab Soul 152x122cm
Mixed media on canvas by Kabira Alieva

Name: Kabira Alieva
Artistic discipline: drawing, painting, and a few experiments with sculpture and photography
Weapon of choice: a nib (I think that’s the right word in English?) or stylus, and a very wide brush
Website: www.kabira-alieva.com



Hello Sweetheart, looking gorgeous! D’you mind if I ask a few questions?
Fire away!

First of all, where's home?
Tough one… As our family moved around a bit, I went through a mini identity crisis some years ago and wasn’t sure where home was… for most part I guess it felt to be Baku, my birth city, the capital of Azerbaijan… but these days Baku is changing so fast that the strong connections or associations that I have with ‘home’ are mostly left in my memory – and I believe they still live through my work. Perhaps my art is where my home is…although London is a big part of it too.

What was your first art piece creation and who owns it?
I was three years old when I drew a big circle, two dots inside, circles around them… a receiver resting on top of the big circle, and a long curly cable nearby – the heart of the drawing was a massive moustache – and I proudly called this masterpiece ‘Dad The Telephone’ – even though my dad doesn’t wear and never had a moustache. Not sure where this drawing is now but I do remember it made quite a few people smile, which is good!

What art piece or art work do you look at think “I wish I had created that”?
There is so much fascinating art out there but I would probably have to say impressive, big-scale outdoor installations like one of Anish Kapoor’s works. Ah… one day. On the other hand, I create what I am meant to create for a reason, and if I can do that well, then my mission is being fulfilled step by step so there is not much point in looking at someone else’s work and thinking ‘I wish I created that’ – it’s just better to enjoy it and respond to it if it speaks to me.

What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
There are so many! ‘Always believe in yourself’ comes to mind right now…

How do you fill your days?
Hmm… besides art – family, friends, books, science, yoga, a walk in the park, discovering London… travelling whenever I can… or just sleeping.

What is the worst job you've ever done?
A newspaper round in our neighbourhood… I was a student then. Had to wake up at 4 am sharp every morning, no matter what the weather, and carry this big heavy, bigger-than-me trolley with newspapers and magazines around the block… I lasted about a month. But it is a good character-building experience, especially for a young person.

If you were written about in the newspaper, on the front page, what would the headline say?
“Her work changed [something] for the better”

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Well, I love magic, so whatever a good magician can do, I’d like to do that too. Having a healing power would be really cool!

What will you be doing after this?
Brainstorming.

Can I take you out for a drink Darling, I know this great place!
Do you even need to ask?! I have so much more to tell you!

Lonely Hearts: Pink Dragon

The Wimbledon Art Studios Pink Dragon
...sleeping rough in the car park

Often seen wandering in the car park of Wimbledon Art Studios, lonely and frankly quite desperate Pink Dragon seeks fun, bright and fireproof soulmate. To be perfectly honest, anyone would do…

Sea, Mice and Sun

It's behind you!!
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Estelle has been working flat out on the new series of Shueya paintings, it was the perfect time for me to treat myself with a little holiday! It was so much fun!

Back at work now.

Stay tuned...

Did you know?... Vine Black

Oh dear...!
Graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Vine black is thought to be the oldest of all black pigments; the ancient Romans had a name for it that sounds almost like a magic spell: Atramentum!

It is an opaque blue-black which was originally produced by charring dried grape vines or grape skins.

Despite the fact that its reliability has been proven for over 2000 years it is rarely sold today and is nowadays mainly produced from charring nutshells and fruit stones.

More grapes for the wine! I’ll drink to that!

Stay tuned…

Source: The Materials and Techniques of Painting (Kurt Wehlte)

Hot from the Easel

Portrait commission. Oil on panel.
by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Exclusive: Hot from the Easel.

Just finished! You get the first sneak peek.

This portrait is a commission from a collector. It's an oil painting on panel, 80cm x 60cm, and is just getting ready to be framed.

Feel free to contact Estelle directly (email) for  information regarding commissions.

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

How to Handle a Wedgie: The Casual
Oil on canvas

Today, a little demonstration on how to handle the etiquette of the wedgie with style... well Shueya style.

How to handle a wedgie: The Casual

Stay tuned...

Exclusive: Fashion Fall Winter 2011

Fall Winter 2011 trend
Indian ink and watercolour

With Fashion Week just around the corner, The Daily Mouse has an exclusive on the studio fashion trend for this coming Fall Winter 2011 season.

To make it brief, the key pieces for this season are: warm, loose and frankly quite stained!

Actually anything that might keep you warm is good enough, let’s hope this winter will not see a repeat of last year cheese freeze incident!

Stay tuned…

Did You know?... Indian Yellow

Marguerite, the Cow
graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Did you know that the Indian Yellow pigment was originally produced from cow’s wee…?

The cows, from Monghyr in India, were fed on mango leaves and little water, their concentrated urine would be collected on the earthy ground, made into balls and let to dry. 3 liters of urine are said to have yielded 35g of pigment.

In 1921, this very cruel treatment of the cows was banned, and since then we are using a synthetic pigment instead.

Marguerite approves!

Stay tuned…

Source: The Materials and Techniques of Painting (Kurt Wehlte)

The Geek: Egg Tempera

Disapproving chicken
graphite sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Here is a little low-down on the very unique technique of Egg Tempera.

Egg tempera, is not a deep fried Japanese speciality, but a very ancient, although still in use today, and permanent fast-drying painting medium that uses egg to bind coloured pigments.

For this form of painting most often only the content of the egg yolk is used. The white of the egg and the membrane of the yolk are discarded. The membrane of the yolk is dangled over a receptacle and punctured to drain off the liquid inside. The artist then produces the paint by mixing finely ground pigments and egg yolk diluted with water.

Each stroke is laid down quickly and precisely and should dry to the touch in four or five seconds. Tempera paint dries rapidly and produces a smooth matte finish. The process is slow though because many successive layers are applied, which give the final painting its characteristic clarity and luminosity. The colours of an unvarnished tempera painting resemble a pastel.

Tempera paintings are very long lasting, and examples from the 1st centuries AD still exist. Egg tempera was a primary method of painting until after 1500 when it was superseded by the invention of oil painting, every surviving panel painting by Michelangelo is egg tempera.

Well, I reckon Mr Grumpy Chicken up there should be rather proud!

Stay tuned…

Sources: Wikipedia; Daniel Smith; The Society of Tempera Painters.

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

“How can I help you Honey?”
Shueya Limited: The Secretary by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Going through the series of the Limited Edition: Shueya Secretary. Here is the next one “How can I help you Honey?”.

They are still some available to buy online here, commission free for a few more days, alternatively feel free to contact Estelle directly (email) for more details.

Stay tuned...

Sketch of the Day

Basil and the British Summer Time

I am not sure I am fully grasping the paradoxal concept of British Summer…

The Geek: Inks

One of Basil's dream date, black Indian Ink.

Apart from the splashing we saw earlier on this week (Friday’s Sketch of the Day) there are many more things to do with Inks.

I've done my research and here’s a slightly geeky low-down on this fast, bright and fun medium:

Black Indian ink is a permanent colour, it’s made of pigments. It’s a very rich, and deep black, but diluted it will give a multitude of shades of brilliant grey. It is the ink used by calligraphers.

Coloured inks are made with dies, not pigments, and therefore are not as permanent, the colour will fade overtime. If you have some coloured ink artworks avoid to display them in direct sunlight, you’ll keep them bright for longer.

Used with pen, brush (or splashed!) on paper or illustrative board, the smoother the surface the smoother the flow and the line. Available liquid in bottle, as pen or markers or even as solid blocks to be diluted with water.

Fast drying and transparent they have a great brilliance of colour, perfect for illustrations and bright drawings.

I must ask Estelle to draw me in Ink too so I can ask this ravishing lady out!

Stay tuned…

Sketch of the Day

Shoes, Indian ink and coloured ink © Estelle Rocca-Serra

Looks like someone had a bit of fun here… Mess it up woman! Mess it up!

Stay tuned…

Before and After with Kevin Herlihy

Usually when we see an artwork, whether it’s a sculpture, a painting, a ceramic, etc. we don’t really think of what it is actually made of, we just take it, finished, as a whole. In this Before/After series we’ll show you what you can’t see, you might be surprised!

Before: Kevin's treasure chest

Kevin Herlihy’s work is the first (very brave of him!) in our series of Before/After.

Kevin, what is this?
It’s a treasure chest, from a shipwreck on the river Thames.

What on earth is all this stuff?
Here we’ve got remains of bicycles, remains of someone’s lunch (can you spot the can of pilchards?) and drinks too, window double glazing… mostly aluminium, copper and brass.

Where did you find all this?
On the beaches of the river Thames, at low tide.

Really? and what do you do with all these things?
This robin.

After: Robin, by Kevin Herlihy

Birds are one of my favourite things to make and the robin is one of my collector's favourite bird, so I was very happy to be commissioned to make it. These birds have a lot of character.

You can see more of Kevin's amazing sculptures here.

Stay tuned...

In Depth: High Tech Tools

High Tech Tools: Incongruous devices used by artists.
Today the Plastic Picnic Salad Spoon!

The Plastic Picnic Salad Spoon

The Plastic Picnic Salad Spoon, found in a large supermarket chain, comes with a fork which is actually more useful for the picnic than in the studio... so I was told!

Checking the colour on the right panel

A very important tool to check glazing colour - when using layers of transparent colours - light, very practical and easy to hold... again so I was told!







Stay tuned...

A Shueya a day keeps the doctor at bay

Exclusive: A Shueya a Day keeps the doctor at bay… well it hasn’t been scientifically proved, yet… but this bright, fun (and affordable) series of drawings by Estelle Rocca-Serra, should lighten up the mood a bit.

“Not late Darling… fashionable!”
Shueya Limited: The Secretary by Estelle Rocca-Serra

Collectible, composed of 5 different drawings, the "Shueya Limited: The Secretary" set, is the first of the Shueya Limited series.

I asked Estelle what was the idea behind the series: “I was getting more and more requests to produce some prints of the Shueya paintings [more on the Shueya girls here], which I wasn’t keen on doing so I thought, instead of making reproductions, why not create specifically a series of Shueya originals which could have the affordability of a print. It would be more fun and interesting, and for the same budget you could get an original”.

Each drawing, edition of 30, is an original numbered and signed, hand drawn with Indian ink and watercolour, on 300gms hot pressed satin finish watercolour paper.

They are still some available to buy online here, alternatively feel free to contact Estelle directly (email) for more details.

Stay tuned...

Sketch of the Day

Basil, fashion icon!

This is not funny…!

I can’t believe Estelle drew me in this t-shirt! Get a grip woman, I’m a serious reporter!

Winter Open Studios

Studio 231West, Open Studio Show May 2011

The Registrations are open for the next edition of the Open Studio Show at Wimbledon Art Studios. The show will run from 24th - 27th November 2011.

If you want to show your work during the exhibition, now is the time to register (more details here). This winter edition will have 50 more studios, it’s going to be BIG, so if you come and visit us, pace yourself and don’t forget your sleeping bag… you might need to sleep-over!

The Daily Mouse will have some Private View invitations for the Opening Night, buzz me to request your invitation.

Stay tuned…

Let me introduce myself

Basil - Reporter, Editor in Chief, Photographer of the Daily Mouse

Let me introduce myself, I’m Basil - the handsome fella on the photo - Reporter, Editor in Chief, Photographer, you name it… of the Daily Mouse.

Not-quite-live-but-almost, from Studio 231West, I will bring you all the:

• Breaking news.
• Exclusivities (Hot from the Easel, Showtime!, Sneak Preview…).
• In depth analysis (The Geek, High Tech Tools, Fashion…).
• Interviews.
• “As it happens” coverage of specific events.
• As well as “Sketch of the Day”, “Before/After” and many many more…

Through the Daily Mouse, you will also have access to invitations to opening parties and private views!

Stay tuned…

Coming very soon

Almost there...  just a few tweaks!