Hello, how are you?
It’s Easter Sunday and we have EGGS galore over here… hopefully the Easter Bunny has hopped over to you too?!
It’s interview number NINE of ‘With What Do I dOOdle?’ and today we have the MARVEL that is Lisa Stubbs.
I love using all sorts of things to draw with and I’m always up for a favourite tools chat, SO I’ve been asking some fellow creatives what they like to use.
I’ve been following the work of LOVELY Lisa Stubbs for many years, and feel a magical excitement like no other EVERY time I watch one of her ‘reveal’ reels on instagram. Her printmaking, to me, is completely magical. I’m desperate to carve out some time to go and workshop with her up in Yorkshire as I’m sure she dons a magic wand to create the BEAUTIFUL prints she makes.
They are just marvellous, and are snapped up regularly by folk across the globe.
Lisa Stubbs is a printmaker, illustrator, creative facilitator and professional chocolate taster living in the Holme Valley, Yorkshire. She divides her time between her little Print Studio at Globe Arts in the neighbouring Colne Valley and West Yorkshire Print workshop, where she draws, paints, collages, print-makes and chocolate tastes.
Lisa has been freelance for over 25 years during which time she has created prints and cards for retailers and galleries, illustrated children's picture books, designed packaging and soft toys and run a little online shop.
Her work is inspired by the little moments in her family life, the “I’m so lucky” stuff money can’t buy moments. Pockets of time that are hard to describe, but feel good. She wants to capture feelings of being connected to family, friends, the past, home and nature and the nostalgia that creates. The good vibes. The breathe it in moments.
What could be better.
So without further ado here’s Lisa’s…
What's your favourite thing to draw?
Birds, blooms, homes and brews! Doodling for me is about playing and brain dumping, letting your pen stream out your subconscious onto the page.
Where is your favourite place to draw?
In my studio for work as it's a wonderful creative space with no distractions. When doodling ideas at home I love to be in my comfies in the front room with the log burner crackling and a cuppa to hand!
What's your favourite thing to draw on?
The best drawings and doodles are on scraps of paper or in the back of my diary, where I'm not too precious about the outcome, enjoying the process and creating little spontaneous loose drawings. I've recently started using bullet point paper to line up little print plans, it kind of gives order to the chaos. I also love drawing on thick tracing paper, I enjoy how the pencil feels on the smooth surface and how I can layer ideas up for printmaking.
What's your top favourite tool to draw with?
I tend to doodle with what's to hand, usually a biro. My favourite pencil to use is a prismacolor Ebony jet black extra smooth which is fab for sketching and for colour play I use Dr. Ph. Martin's Inks, house paint tester pots, neocolors and markers.
Do you have a favourite COMBO of tools?
It depends what I'm working on, at the moment I'm experimenting with drawing with scissors and using collage elements in my printmaking using a process called Chine collé, so currently I'd say scissors, Ink and Coccoina paste.
Is there a tool you always avoid?
Apart from the vacuum cleaner there's nothing I really avoid.
I like to play and experiment with mark making, keeping an open mind and not being precious about the tools I use.
Is there a drawing tool you'd LOVE to try?
I'd like to experiment with different types of graphite, liquid graphite and graphite powder along with an eraser pencil. I think it would be fun to see what kind of effects and images I could create.
When my daughters were studying A level art at college, they both enjoyed drawing with bleach on inked paper which I've always promised myself to try at some point too.
What's your TOP favourite drawing snack?
Aww I have lots! Obvs chocolate, I love a curly wurly, a bag of revels or a tunnocks teacake. I'm also partial to a bag of soft Liquorice!
But if I need to top up my 5 a day, a box of blueberries, raspberries or cherry tomatoes is just as good.... well... maybe not as good as a tunnocks teacake!
Yep, can’t disagree with that.
You can find and follow Lisa on Instagram here and visit her beautiful website here
Thanks so much Lisa 🤗
I feel completely in need of a drawing session now!
Looking forward to another Creative dOOdling workshop soon. The next live session with me is on the 10th April, 7.30pm UK time, and we’re drawing all things CATS!
Can’t wait.
Happy Easter all round,