Original Artworks
Ink-drawing and mixed media with underprint
Niki’s work is created using ink drawing over a handmade underprint, then coloured using several techniques using a variety of mixed media (inks, watercolour, fineliner, alcohol pens, charcoal, coloured pencils and metallic leaf) on Fabriano 300gsm or 640gsm hot pressed watercolour paper.
She outlines it as follows:
- I start my process by searching multiple sources of public domain images, including libraries, universities and museum collections the world over. This is a process which inspires and captivates me.
- Slowly as ideas emerge, I create a digital composite consisting of up to 50 different images and image fragments drawn from these public domain collections and my own hand-drawn work. The is a process that can take from hours to months.
- Once I am satisfied with the digital layout of the picture, I hand-print the composition onto Fabriano Artistico 300gsm or 640gsm Hot Pressed archival paper.
- I print components of the composition, transposed so that they will be the right way around on the paper, and then carefully place them onto the paper using a light box. I transfer them using solvents, layering darker areas several times over.
- I then use the solvents and laser toner to paint and even out the composition. This forms the underprint which I work with.
- Using the underprint, I hand-draw the entire picture using fine-liners, technical pens and art pens, adding depth, detail and balancing elements of the drawing to perfect the composition.
- For works with black backgrounds, I next apply masking medium over the drawn and printed areas I want to preserve.
- I then create the background of the picture, using watercolour and ink washes (for pictures with lighter backgrounds) or a matt black charcoal formulation (for images with black or dark backgrounds). These are applied with a variety of brushes and tools.
- I then remove the masking medium (if used) and touch up the pictures and add finer details where needed.
- This is followed by adding colour to the pictures using inks, watercolour pencils, alcohol markers, metallic powders and a variety of other mixed media.
- I then UV-seal the artwork, using a universal fixative and sealant.
- Next, I add any metallic leaf if the work involved has leafing detail and I finish by varnishing this leafing.
- I then sign, number and photograph the picture.
- I finish by adding a final layer of protection using Schminke matt spray varnish, which lightly coats and preserves the artwork.
Niki produces between 1 and 5 limited-edition variants (usually limiting the number to 3, with higher edition numbers for her early works), which are numbered, hand-crafted originals of each artwork. Each work looks different from subsequent variants due to the nature of the technique and materials used. (Wingmill II, editions 1 and 2, below, illustrate this). In some cases, Niki will build on the first variant in subsequent works, and their appearance will differ significantly.
Some of the early work shown on this site are artist proofs (APs), made on thinner paper than the final works. Once a client has selected a work, Niki keeps them included in the process of the creation of their final edition.
Prints
Giclée Prints (limited-edition, signed)
20 limited-edition, signed Giclée prints are available for most of Niki’s work.
Signed prints of Niki’s work are accompanied by a handwritten note from the artist. They are printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308 or Felix Schoeller True Fibre Matt paper, which are hot press (HP) finely textured, natural white fine art, museum-quality papers.
They can be ordered from Niki directly. If you would like to purchase a print of a specific work, contact us and we will be in touch to make arrangements.
Prints (unsigned)
Prints of Life Beyond Reason works and selected Niki McQueen Art works are available for online purchase for between $35 and $200 on Etsy: https://nikimcqueenart.etsy.com
Work can be made available in the store on request or can be purchased by direct order for a discounted rate. If you would like to purchase a print of a specific work, contact us and we will fulfil the order or add it to the store and notify you as soon as the print is available for purchase.
Sales
All the work on this website is for sale unless otherwise indicated. You can purchase prints from Niki’s Etsy store.
