Ben Tour Opinion

Ben Tour produces very rustic and sketchy illustrations which some may say they are unclean but this is what I think gives the art work the edge, there appears to be no end or stop to the line work in his images. A crisp black and white illustration if often combined with highlights of splattered paint mostly in primary colours to add depth and colour. These bright and vibrant pictures really form a sense of pure art using simply a pen even though they are very rough they still show composition and shape which Tour has utilized to his advantage, his art forms very organic depictions of animals and people showing the raw intensity of the detail through art.

I would love to explore this medium by using rough ink sketches and then laying splattered paints or water colours over the top, I would also try using them as backgrounds or to highlight key importance in my picture. The rough sketching technique is a skill that really appeals to me as it seems so much more fluid and involved with the painting by moving and flowing with the materials, rather than catering to the individual characteristics of mediums. Ink and pen is limitless and really gives true freedom with what you aim to generate, another key aspect I love about this is the ability to combine with any colour and any form of objects against black ink; whether it be to work in harmony or contrast.

I aim to produce some of my own work using this same style but to experiment more with thickness of line and repeat pattern, I think varying this quality may take away more the principle of a line drawing constructing an interesting and engaging piece. I will also try changing the background of an image maybe texturally then working over the top with a thin fine liner in hope to gain a lighter more rustic look to my art.