Thursday, 9 January 2014

Abstract - Rough Water

With this painting I was trying a different way of getting colours to flow across the canvas.
"Rough Water" Jo Sonja paints on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Base was painted with Jo Sonja's background colour Blue Lagoon and left to dry. Canvas was sprayed with water and Jo Sonya Indigo, Ultra Blue Deep, Blue Lagoon (used previously in base) and Titanium White were spread with a painting knife. More water was sprayed, canvas tipped and a straw was used to blow colours around.

The painting has a rough texture to the touch, especially in the bottom left where the paint was thicker.

The painting has been sealed with Atelier Interactive Fast Medium/Fixer.

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Abstract Fluid Acrylic Pouring - Untitled #2013-02

Untitled #2013-02 Ultramarine Blue, Blue Violet, Titanium White, Transparent Magenta & Pale Gold Acrylic paint pre-mixed with Liquitex Pouring Medium on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Liquitex Pouring Medium and Jo Sonja Flow Acrylics (pre-mixed in pouring bottles at 1:12 ratio) Ultramarine Blue, Blue Violet, Titanium White, Transparent Magenta & Pale Gold Acrylic.

First three colours were spread with painting knife a little and then canvas tilted for colours to flow. Then Next two colours were added and canvas tilted further until satisfied. When it was drying I thought the bottom right corner looked a little dead, but now dry you can see the gold more. But when painting is tilted the gold really sings (unfortunately it doesn't show in the photo).

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Abstract Fluid Acrylic Pour - Untitled #2013-01

Untitled 2013-01 - Red, Yellow & White Acrylic paint pre-mixed with Liquitex Pouring Medium on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Liquitex Pouring Medium and Jo Sonja Flow Acrylics (pre-mixed in pouring bottles at 1:12 ratio) Yellow Lt, Napthol Red Lt and Warm White.

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

How to: Create texture using plastic wrap / cling film


Golden Fluid acrylic paint (ultra, magenta & white) & Jacquard Lumiere paint (Pearlescent Magenta & Pearl Turquoise) on 8x8-3/4x1/2 inch (20x25x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Suitable for:  acrylics, pigmented ink or watercolour

Requirements:
spray bottle of water
soft brush (optional)
painting knife (optional)
canvas or watercolour paper attached to board with painters or masking tape
fluid acrylic paint or watercolour tube paint
plastic wrap / cling film (plastic shopping bags can also be used)

Method:
  1. Spray canvas with water and use soft brush to ensure full coverage. You want the canvas damp but not wet.
  2. Drop colours randomly over canvas. I then use a painting knife to pat (sometimes scrape) the colours into areas without any colour - wipe off knife regularly to prevent colours muddying.
  3. Add more colour if desired (this is where I added the Lumiere colours to picture 1).
  4. Spray a light mist of water over canvas.
  5. Tear a sheet of cling wrap from the roll and gently drop over canvas manipulating it to allow creases. Use your fingers to push colour around (not too much).
  6. Cover with something heavy and leave to dry overnight.
  7.  When dry, gently remove the cling wrap.
  8. Leave to dry for a further few hours before sealing if desired. (Your painting may look dry, and even feel dry, to the touch but may smear if not completely dry).
As you can see from the following images, you can create very different effects using thicker paint, ink or watercolour on watercolour paper.

Art Spectrum Pigmented Ink (turquoise, blue, green, violet & white) on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Matisse Structure acrylic paint (aqua, ultra, southern ocean blue, indigo, cobalt turquoise & titanium white) mixed with Atelier Fast Medium/Fixer to thin paint on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Art Spectrum watercolour paint on Canson Montval watercolour 300gsm A4 paper

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Update - new home with the perfect "art studio"


After years of dreaming of moving to the Sunshine Coast, earlier this year I decided to take the plunge. I've always lived in the one area so this was a big move. At least an hour and a half away.
 
So I was fortunate to sell my house immediately with the option to rent for up to three months. However, finding the right home proved more difficult that I expected. With the long drive just to view houses, along with packing, planning, etc, it just seemed to slowly drain away energy along with creativity and any urge to paint.
 
The trouble was not finding the right area, location or even the outside of the house, but one with more than one large bed room. I wanted a "studio" where I could have a few areas to paint, room for jewellery making, polymer clay, paper crafts, computer & printer.
 
After two months I found the right place and settlement was on 30 July. I have been here for five weeks and now I finally feel the excitement of painting coming back.
 
This is my new "studio". Still a work in progress and a bet messy:
 

 

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Blue & White with Green

"Blue & White with Green" acrylic paint on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
The canvas was painted with Jo Sonja background colour in Blue Lagoon. When dry, Matisse Structure acrylics in Titanium White, Jo Sonja acrylics in Ultramarine and Green Lt along with the background colour were spread with a painting knife until I was happy with the result. When dry the green wasn't as strong as I wanted, so I added a few more strokes with the knife.

The painting has been sealed with Atelier Interactive Fast Medium/Fixer.

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Abstract - Red & Black

"Red & Black" acrylic paint on 8x8x1/2 inch (20x20x1.3cm) stretched canvas
Matisse Structure acrylics in Matissa Red Lt and Carbon Black were spread with a painting knife, working from the centre out. When dry I added a few more strokes of the Red until I was happy with the result.

The painting has been sealed with Atelier Interactive Fast Medium/Fixer.