Well, back in business. A real post to follow later. To see a couple interim posts check here Thanks for checking on me. Merle
Another Piece of Yupo Saved
This piece I’ve been working on for a few weeks originally started as a painting called “Bear Food.” I didn’t like it too much, and nobody else did, so I gessoed over with black gesso, and mixed it with white and some red. The photo below is after several painting sessions to make something of it. And, there are still a few things I want to do with it. But, I’m liking where it’s going at the present”.
"Kansas Sunset" 19x25" on Yupo
Be sure to click on the image to get a larger view of it. Use your back button to get back here.
A Total Redo
This is a piece I did in Florida this winter. It was initially a different painting that never worked, so I sprayed it with Metallic Gold Spray paint. Then some black gouache over that, and multiple manipulations. Much of the color is a mixture of gouache and watercolors.
"LaBelle" - 20x13" Mixed Media on Yupo
I’m still not sure if I’m totally satisfied with it. Will have to look at it again soon.
Work Today
Finally had an opportunity to do some painting today. This is what started out as a 16×20 watercolor canvas (Frederix). It really needs to be stretched as it otherwise shrinks, about an inch on all sides if used for watercolor–especially doing the wet techniques as I do. I didn’t like what I had on the canvas so I coated it with black gesso a couple days ago. Today I painted on it. I’m calling it “Unbrushed” because I used no brushes on it. Only a brayer, a piece of mat board and a palette knife. The white has a very interesting texture (pattern) to it which is unusual. I must try this on some Yupo. It is not a white gesso though, but a white acrylic. That may be the difference.
"Unbrushed" 14x18" Acrylics on W/C Canvas
Here is a close up of the white texture, since it doesn’t show up in the large image–even when enlarged more.
Detail on White Area on Unbrushed
Pastel Abstract
I’ve been thinking about trying to do an abstract in pastel, so yesterday, I started just a little one *8.5×11.5″ on Fabriano pastel paper. Also tried using the new SpectraFix fixative. It’s casein and alcohol based and does a nice job, not encasing the pastel in a plastic film but hold it down, and providing some tooth for the next layer. And it’s almost odorless with just a faint hint of alcohol.
I started this with a scribble drawing, and added to it as I went along. Sort of like it.
Pathways To The Stars
Posted in Finished Paintings
Tagged casein, Pastel abstract, Pathways To The Stars, SpectraFix
2 Comments
Mood Lifter
Wasn’t feeling so hot today, and needed something to do to take my mind off things, so got out all my blue fluid acrylic paints and just started painting. Didn’t clean the brush off between colors, other than wiping off the excess. There was an under painting that had been an experiment previously. In the end I threw some white on. All are undiluted fluid acrylics. After it dried I could see dogs every where–some just parts of muzzles and faces–thus the name. Felt better afterwards.
"Dogs In Blue" - Acrylic on Yupo 12x9"
Working on Another “Start”
With piles of paintings I’ve started either as demos in a workshop or things I’ve started in a workshop I took, or stuff I’ve done here, It’s amazing how many paintings I’ve started, and never worked on again. I’ve been trying to work on some of the better ones, and the worst ones. (The worst ones are getting painted over with gesso and acrylics.)
This one was started about a year ago. It’s acrylic on Yupo, and I think that was on top of gesso that had covered another painting “start.” At this point I’m going to call it finished subject to final review in a month or so.
"Slippery Slide" Acrylics on Yupo 26x20"
An Abstract Realistic
Sometimes the line between realistic and abstract is blurred, as in this case. Last fall after the killing freezes had come, our garden was ready to be cleaned up–it was strewn with squash vines covering over a lot of things, including leaves. Of course the first thing I did was take a picture. This is the result that I just finished–in soft pastel.
Squashed Leaves - 14x11" Pastel on Strathmore Pastel paper
A lot of this painting is just added from memory and to make a good design, but old dried squash vines were everywhere, and while it’s realistic, it’s also abstract.
Finished earlier work
I’ve been sorting, some of my finished paintings and getting good photos of them. Came across this from about 2 yrs ago. It’s mostly watercolor, but some gesso. I like it, and must get it matted and framed soon.
"Moonglow", 21x29" Mixed Watermedia on paper.
It’s interesting how different the appearance of a painting is depending on the paint, but also what support is used. This is on Fabriano Artistico, 300 lb HP. It’s generally a very absorbent surface, so you need more paint to get rich darks.
Final Version – I think
I showed this one a week or so ago. Have worked on it off and on since, and I think it’s finished. I’ll put it away now and look at it again in a couple months, and if it still passes inspection probably I’ll mat and frame it. I sort of like it. Now I think I’ll call it Cold-Fusion.
Cold-Fusion, 12x18" on 300 lb paper