Step by Step

The first step in this new technique I'm using is to apply a thick coat of tinted plaster that I've mixed with thick medium to allow for some flexibility.  The difficult part is the drawing of the subject that, in a way, is sculpted into the plaster before it dries.  Here are the results of this first coat.  This process takes approximately 4 days to dry.

It is only after this coat has completely dried and I've applied a thick coat of Clear Gesso that I am able to proceed with the paint.  I use Acrylic paint mixed with thick medium.  This process takes approximately 4 days to dry.

In this series the background base colour is Prussian Blue mixed with some Sap Green at times and/or Bright Aqua Green or Light Emerald Green.  I lighten the colour with Titanium white if needed.  I use a thick bristle brush so i can get into the grooves of the texture at first, and then with a slightly different mixture, I apply a light surface coat to allow the undercoating to show through.  I repeat this throughout the painting that can take up to 3 weeks.  I imagine, because of this 20 x 30 size, it will take me at least until the end of the month.

 

next week, I begin with applying coast of paint on the apples themselves.  See you then.