I started with the model's face because that's my favourite place to start and Clémentine Balcaen's is so beautiful. It was a nerve wracking thing to use that first pencil! I was also worried about the quality not being as good as my Prismacolors but they were incredible, DUH! So easy to blend, not a  massive amount of pressure needed for a strong result and so rich in pigment. Also, I didn't need to keep constantly sharpening them which is always heartbreaking when they break while doing that and in this case literally would feel like shaving down money! Anyway I worked from the face out completing little bits of background from the left to the right. I'd have to say the black part of the top was easiest to draw and the hair was by far the most difficult! That end section in the middle where it's lightly fading into the background but getting thicker towards the roots?! Aghhhhhh! It's weird, I was listening to a great BOF podcast while drawing that part, with Tim Blanks interviewing menswear Craig Green, so I feel equally relaxed (from the great interview) but frustrated (from the hair battle!) while looking at that particular part of the drawing. I can generally look back at most artworks I’ve done and remember what I was listening to at that moment...but I can’t remember my husband’s phone number after 16 years. 

So I figured out the whole piece took around 12hours of solid illustrating time. And I had the absolute best time. Having a bit of hindsight and perspective I feel like I’ve been avoiding painting for a while now. I think because my life has been feeling very much like limbo-land with my mum being sick, my retail job winding down due to the economy and a general sense of ‘time to grow up a bit’ I have been really reaching for something new to get that creative spark sparking. I think this is a fun path for now. I’m reluctant to say ‘it’s all pencils going forward!’ But I have visions of a series or an exhibition, anything to keep that good-drawing-feeling going. Stay tuned I guess!

 

Of course we always recommend dry cleaning first and foremost but if the dry cleaner is closed, the kids are screaming or you just bought the most perfect shirt to match your scarf and you have a fabulous opportunity to wear it this new outfit tonight, I'm not going to stop you! Below are some tips and tricks from my personal experience of being an avid scarf wearer over many years and from the bottomless pit of internet How-To's. All of these techniques have been tried on a Pippa McManus scarf (sometimes a few times) and I have been super satisfied with the result. But if trying at home please do be careful as this is a delicate product and I want you to have your scarf forever!

• Keep your scarf out of the light and heat in its box when not being worn.
• You may like to remove the care instructions label and keep it in the box.
• We recommend dry cleaning your scarf due to the delicate nature of the product.
• Your trusted dry cleaner can also remove the fold lines if needed.
• If you must hand wash it use only a very mild detergent like Bondi Delicate Wash in a clean bowl or tub.
• Use only a small drop of the detergent in tepid water and mix in well before submerging your scarf.
• Softly agitate the scarf for no more than 3 minutes (make sure your fingernails aren't jagged or they may pull on the fibers of the silk!).
• Rinse well in another tub of tepid water without detergent . Pour out and repeat.
• Don’t wring or squeeze your scarf dry, you will stress the fibers.
• Spread your scarf out flat on a towel that won't transfer colour to your scarf.
• To remove most of the moisture from your scarf, gently roll it with the towel and press down on it as you roll.
• Lay it flat against a new dry towel and leave for 20-30 mins (weather permitting).
• A great time to press your scarf is when it is almost dry. I use a slightly higher setting than the silk setting but test this first.
• Lay the scarf on your clean ironing board. I use a linen cloth between the scarf and the iron and I press in sections. Alternatively, you can use a clean tea-towel.
• Don’t iron over the edges! This keeps them wonderfully plump.
• Some people like to iron the creases back into the scarf. Do this by folding in half lengthwise and half again lengthwise, and half again horizontally and half again horizontally. This will ensure your scarf will fit perfectly back in its box.
• For specific stains I suggest taking your scarf to your dry cleaner and making them aware of where the mark is when dropping it off.

CREDITS