Developing drawings # The Tahitian Convict Pirates and Pat Pot men

My studio is slowly taking shape but I'm still limited to this one small table which is making things a bit...cramped. Art books, stereo, drawing implements, brushes, ink, ....all on the one small table. I have asked some joiners to quote to make up a bench but will have to wait and see whether it is affordable or not.

The restricted space hasn't stopped my creative juices though. I've been working on this series of drawings, still experimenting with how I finish them, paint, ink, pastel or pencil? or all of the above. 

There are two character styles developing, the  Tahitian convict pirates and the Patpot men... The Tahitian convict pirates are inspired by the heritage here on Norfolk which includes a murky convict heritage and the Pitcairn heritage which saw the bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives settle first on Pitcairn Island, and then here. To be fair I'm not aware of a pirate history...but it works with the style of drawing don't you think?  

The patpot men which are inspired by Pat Hayward's sculptural pottery pieces, which are themselves inspired by tribal sculptures and masks. Pat was my almost surrogate aunty growing up and has always been an influence creatively. Unfortunately I don't think she has a website.

Tahitian convict pirates #1

Tahitian Convict Pirates #2

Patpot man#1

Tahitian convict pirate #3

I'm still developing them, and am tempted to try colouring them in photoshop once I can afford to buy a good scanner (stupidly left mine in storage...what was I thinking) as my photo skills always end up with a funny perspective on the drawings no matter how I take the photos.

What's on your desk at the moment?