I’ve been listening to the Witch podcast this week, and i’m finding it utterly fascinating. I’m learning lots of new things from it, including the rise in people identifying as a witch, the history of the craft and the horrifying persecution of (mostly) women during the witch trials, it’s made me question a lot of my own, ingrained perceptions of witches, and also wonder if I share some deeper kinship?
That’s a bigger question to be explored on another day, but for now I wanted to recommend the podcast again if you haven't had a chance to listen, and I also share a sketchbook drawing I did earlier this week which I filmed and edited as a time-lapse.
Created using Schmincke liquid charcoal, black Conte pastel pencil and Mars Black Caran D'Ache Luminance pencil in a A4 Pith Oroblanco sketchbook.
After a break from using liquid charcoal when my Nitram tube upsettingly cracked and dried out, I’m so happy to be using it again. I’m glad I bought three mini tubes this time round, hopefully i’ll get through a whole tube without it falling apart!
I’m pleased with the sketch, apart from the addition of the necklace at the end, the white Luminance pencil had a blueish tinge which looked unpleasant over the warm black of the charcoal. If I were to do it again i’d mask that area out first.
I’ve been gathering some photo references for the drawing session later this month, and the idea of a witch and their animal ‘Ally’ or ‘Familiar’ has appealed to me. I came across this vintage photo of a woman with a Raven and it inspired my sketch.
such a beautiful ethereal drawing - your details are amazing