Colours and tone

Fist coat. Trying to keep the cool colours in the background and warmer colour in front. Only the first full colour and tone application. Lots of work still to be done.

 

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.

Working on it.

I'm not ignoring the Blog, I'm a little busy and I've prepared the basic drawing and surface for the next painting.  Because this one is 20"x30", it requires molding gel and drying time.  There's no point right now to put up what is prepared because it's basically dark grey and we can't really see anything in photo. 

Next week, I'll put up the first pictures...  Hope you will join me then.

Lynn

The 5th and final

This is the last Apple image that I will work on for this project. The 5th, which represents a complete composition and spread of apples within a context. it will be the largest of the series, but the actual size is not exactly decided on.

To begin the study,  I decided to play with the image on the computer, defining contour and form., and I ended up with a flared representation that seems interesting to me.

Let's see what I can end up with this one...  Any suggestions?

Knowing when to stop

It's difficult to know when to stop painting.  You can keep on going until you obtain photorealism.  This was not my intent.  This is my attempt to produce an Impressionist painting.  Although I used mediums that were not available during that period, I now have more appreciation for Van Gog and his thick application of paint on canvas.  The idea is to capture the mood of the subject and not necessarily the likeness of the subject itself.  At least, that is what I have learned in this exercise.  This week I touched up some details and color/tones, I applied a final varnish and decided that there was no point in adding anything else.  The painting and the "mood" is represented and it is complete as is.

Please let me know what you think. 

Lynn

A la Prima

Another coat of paint.  This week I worked on tone and color.  The cooler colors in the background and the warmer colors in front.  I also changed the surface on which the apples rest so it will fit better with the other paintings of this series.  I am applying the Acrylic paint a la prima to allow me to really establish to colours I want to have and the strong contrasts I desire.

The progression so far is coming along...  I think.

Original Photo Source

First Layers texture and Paint

By next week, I'm hoping to show you the finished painting next to the other 3 paintings of this series.  See you then.

 

(Please view the previous postings to see the progression of this artistic approach.

New Beginning for the group

I began with the background texture that I created from a mixture of Gesso, Plaster, CGC, Black Acrylic paint and some Medium, that I applied on a canvas and with spatulas. I then redrew my subject with a small spatula and a wood stick, within the surface, and I let it dry for 3 days. I recently proceeded in applying the first coat of paint loosely to define highlight and tone.

This is where I'm at for now.

 

I will apply another coat of paint this week. let me know what you think...

New Month, New Year, New Apples

I'm Back!  And i wish all of you a very Happy New Years.  Good Health and Happiness.

We're up to Photo # 4.  Wow has time flown by.

Back to basics of course.  the study this time, I did in Conte on Newsprint, in Black, Grey and White as follows:

A) I first began to study the perspective and spacial relations between the objects. 
B) I outlined the objects to review the forms themselves.
C) I focused on negative spaces
D) I turned my attention to light and shaddows
E) Blending and highlighting, as well as darkening the background.

It took approximately 1 hour to come up with the following results:

 

I know that as I continue to work this month, on this image and composition, I'll be able to correct to define the shapes and volumes even more.

Hope you will continue to follow me this year...  Again, Happy New Year.

Well, Well,

As promised (to myself), I produced the first 2 apple representations in this new mixed medium technique, (plaster,  acrylic medium and gel, paint and I like the results.  Here is the "trio" represented next to one another.  (sorry about the photo tone. Was in a hurry)

 

 
The next thing I tried this week is découpage and weaving.  I first cut up Newsprint in long 16" strips, that I weaved together.

Then I painted the subject with black and brown ink.  In the end, I removed some of the strips and returned them to the weave randomly to see what would come up. 

Here are the results.  (Interesting...)

To All I wish a Happy Holidays. 

 

Mix it - Mix it Good

Talk about Mixed Medium!

My recipe this week was mixing up some CGC Compound (plaster) with some Gesso and some Black Acrylic Paint and Acrylic Medium, and I drew or if you wish, sculpted the composition onto a canvas with some paint spatulas.  When the whole thing was dry after a few days, I then applied another coat of Gesso for protection.  Finally, I  applied "A la Prima" the Acrylic paint, adjusting for the under texture (Sculpture) beneath.  I still have to add some varnish but, so far, I love it...

Obviously, I would not have been able to do this unless the subject and composition had been studied beforehand.  That's where drawing and sketching really helps.

For Tone and composition, I had to deviated the composition from the original photo a little.  I'm so happy with the results, that I've already prepared canvases to produce the first 2 apple photos in this same technique, therefore creating a series...

As for the previous Mixed Medium project.  I'm really happy to have done it because it is by this collage that I came up with this new technique.  I also was able to use Oil paint and inks and other "stuff" that I would not normally use.

 

 

I'm really happy with this week's progress.   See you next week. 

 

Third of Five

New Month - New Photo source - New Composition - New Mediums

This month my study began with the Apple photo #3 and the study of the triangular composition, and subject contour and balance.

Focusing on contour first enabled me to focus my first project of the month on mixed media.  My first step was to compose using collage.

Since I had allot of fashion magazines and I was always interested in fabrics and motifs, I chose parts of photos with the most interesting textures  to recreate this composition. 

I also wanted to include text that reflected the idea behind this piece, such as combining different textures and motifs to compose an outfit - in this case - a piece of art.

From Plaids, lace to chiffon, I was able to find a variety of motifs that would keep the eye moving around in the piece.

Once the collage composition was settled upon, I am now in the process of working on tone, blending and refining the piece by applying glazes. paint, pastels and other mediums.  Here are the results so far:

The pieces are joined !

Done.

I've finalised the details of my painting by reducing the quantity of medium mixed in with my acrylic. 70/30.  Also, an artist friend made me glaze over the entire piece with a very diluted warm yellow to meld the composition that seemed too disjointed. 

This was a great exercise in the discovery of mediums and their applications, as well as the practice of really looking and studying the subject.

 



 BUT (and there is always a but), for one, I must have been influenced with the upcoming Christmas season to keep my colors so prominently red and green. But, I think, since I'm not that really that interested in super/hyper realistic paintings unless there is more to the mere representation of the subject, I wanted some elements of the final piece to suggest more.  I put great effort in working the background to lightly suggest the form of the original apple (October) as well as keep the background color plastic and graphic. I find this piece has become surrealistic and it's always been an Art movement that has intrigued me...  Need more reflection on this...

Since this month November is coming to a close, I decided to complete the drawing portion of the study with ink in different techniques I had recently been taught.  Dry Brush, wet in wet, Pen nibs and brushes.  Ink always surprises me.  The results of working with it are often unexpected because the medium is fluid, but not always to my satisfaction.  Still,  I learn allot about my own patience when working with ink. 

On to the next month, the next photo, the next composition.  On to the next adventure in discovery.  Hope you will join me...

GLAZING - It's all in the recipe

This week I focussed on adding on top of the grisaille two or three thin coasts of color.  I used Acrylic paint mixed with Gloss medium, and layer by layer I added details and color.

What I discovered is that, contrary to Oil Pail, the Acrylic mediums make the paint "slippery", for lack of a better word.  I needed to be careful to apply the paint on top of the previous coat without pickup the paint that was already there.  That meant letting it dry between each coat.

Also, I'm ending up with saturated colors that are a little darker than I would have hoped for.  The grisaille must have been a little darker than it should have and I did not notice it until I started using color.  Correcting the tone is now harder.  In some cases I need to go back and lighten my background with Titanium White mixtures, to then be able to apply my layer of glaze mix.

 

The recipe I'm using is 30% paint to 70% medium.  I wish to add the color slowly so I may keep my tone clear, and unless absolutely necessary, I do not use white.

I also started adding closeup details and in this I added very little medium and kept my color purer.  70% color and 30% glaze.  In some cases I did mix in some Titanium White to get the flatness of color and the vibrant whites I wanted.








Photo - Apple 2

If we compare to the photo, I think I'm coming along nicely except for the Background.  I'm realy not sure what I'm going to to.  Here is the original photo I took. 

Any comment or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.


So I tried ...

Well, this week I can't say I'm exactly satisfied with the results of my endeavours. I'm happy I tried and tested a few things, beginning the prints I began the previous week in class.

Intaglio printing was the subject and I had created a dry-point etching on acetate. To everyone's surprise, it worked great, but let us be clear that this soft material does not allow for many reproductions. It should be used for Monotype work and testing designs. Because the Acetate is so soft, the Burr created with the dry point does not last more than 5 passes in the printing press. In light of the above, it was perfect for testing ideas.

The original scratched surface was passed and I was so surprised on how dark it was. I guess I had not cleared and wiped the ink enough. Then, we created a ghost print from the ink that was left on the plate and, obviously, the results were very pale, but surprisingly cleared. These 2 first prints I used and transformed with other mediums.

 The first pass I applied Oil Pastels as follows:  Not exactly to my liking and a little dark because of the under printing, but interesting lesson.

 

 

 

 

On the Ghost print I used watercolour pencils: Much better and I understand now how many Artists print and then add an aquawash of Aquarelle wash on top of the print.  Interesting!

 

Lastly, I reworked the plate and added texture with sandpaper around the previous etching and here are the results:  Way too dark and overworked.  All the delicate details got lost and the background took over the image.  Nice to know that sandpaper can do such effects though...

 

 

 

I do like dry point allot and I'm thinking of so many ways I can use this application (If I have access to printing presses).

 The other piece I finished this week is the Chinese ink on Muslin.  I love the texture and softness it gave, and as I mentioned last week, in the future, I will put some type of barrier between the Muslin and the frame.

 

We're learning and any tricks and comments are always appreciated.  You can always sign in as anonymous ;)

If there are any other mediums and tricks you would like me to try - just let me know...

The first stages for more

I found the following quote and it suits this entry perfectly...

 

If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.Michelangelo

 



Each stage of a project requires its' own skills and time.  As I've learned in this last week, preparation is everything. Please note that none of the following works are finished.

 

I prepared this grisaille as an underpainting and tone study.  In this case I used sap green to tint the grey and help even out the tone.  I also did my this in thin layers and in Acrylic which dries faster. 

 



The second "unfinished" study is China Ink on frames muslin. 

 

 I knew it would give me something special and I had already stretched the Muslim and applied Clear Gesso on a frame.  I love the first initial results.

 

 

 

 



The only problem I foresee is that the clear background within the frame distorts the image.  I will know, next time to add paper of cardboard between the muslin and the frame while mounting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirdly,  my printing class finally moved to Intaglio (Dry Point) and I've been using Acetates to scratch on because I did not have metal or plexi plates to work on.  Great discovery.  It works!

 

My first study was done to find out if I could use acetate with printing ink:

My Second study, I actually used on press which is why it is reversed.  I also used coarse sand paper to add grit to the background.

 

 



Lastly,  I did some Vitrea Paint studies on acetate.  (I personally prefer the photos to the originals and I prefer without the black background)  I've been wanting to test these for quite a while and I realize now that I need to use this sparingly and with reflection.  The light and colors are overwhelming and pure, and it will require additional study of this medium on my part.

 

That' sit for now... Enjoy

 

 

 

And then there were 2

I had forgotten how much time it takes to really focus on drawing.  Taking my time to really look at the subject and focus on some of the details.  Of course, contour, line, tone, hue, light and reflections are all part of the study. 

I also forgot how complex a colored object is and how difficult it can be to convert such a colorful subject to greyscale.  Oh, sure it's easy on a computer, but your mind needs training and practice to perceive tone and light ,without hues. 

My actual first drawings of this image and subject 'Apples 2', began with the simplest drawings in ink - Black and White VS Color.  Just to see if I could make up the different tones in their simplest forms. Two tones - two colors.

My second step had more to do with a printing class I'm taking at this time and a home printing studio I set up.  This is a Linocut in two colors on two different color card stock I had.

And yes, when printing, the image is mirrored.  I did try to do these on BKF and Sennelier paper at home but the results are simply not as clean when printing from home without an actual press.  To my surprise, the version I prefer is the toned paper.

'Apples 2" will be the subject this month and I can't wait to see what will come of this...  All your comments are appreciated.  have a great week. 

Lynn

Great discovery!

New Media. New Discovery...

I'm presently taking a Printing course and while testing my new Drypoint Etching tool on Acetate, I discovered that I can draw and keep the transparency of the acetate.  I used printing ink with a flat brush to fill in the groves and the results are amazing.  I love this.  I can't wait to try this technique with other types of paint and support.

Of course, to continue in the progress of discovery, I continued with my plan and I moved my subject to Watercolor.  Again, the "What if" presented itself and I ended up with two images.  The one on the left is the traditional Watercolor presentation and the one on the right is the What if.  I prefer the floating Apple.  The colors are much more vibrant even if I did use the exact same palette.

Finaly, I leave you today with these freehand ink drawings.

• Question:  If the Artist says it's an apple, does that trick your mind into seeing the apple?  Do you look for the apple within?  Do titles realy matter?

"What if ..."

As I began to draw my Apple - (Photo A) in Charcoal, Conte and Graphite to warm up I noticed that I after drawing in a classical way I began to ask myself how "I", me, Lynn would interpret the image and use my own stroke.  What if I let my hand feel the "Apple".  What if I let my eye roam around the object.  Studying the contour, tone, color and hue,... etc...  Here is what I came up with:

The images on the left are classical applications.  To the right I asked - What if. 

 

 

N.B.:  as a consequence of this first study, my first final piece for Apple A is a composition of Ink and montage:

This is an APPLE
5" x 7"
Mixed media


All comments are welcome...