Tuesday 28 February 2017

'The Impatient Painter'

I am an 'Impatient' painter today....this isn't the first time, nor will it be the last. I have been picking away at this painting for a couple of days - a little bit here, a little bit there. It is not that big, but it was causing me a lot of grief - of my own making! I am challenging myself by working with value first and adding colour at the end - you know the saying - 'value does all the work and colour gets all the credit'. I did mix the colours with a limited palette and tried to keep them more on the neutral side. Went with a very dark value right away for the vessels and tried working my way up the value scale.

These are a couple of scans of the painting in progress


Putting in some dark values




A ways in to the painting process. A bit too enthusiastic and painted out most of the darks. Experiencing a certain level of frustration so starting playing with the background




....I couldn't wait any longer and had to add some colour (these are not even my go to colours!)....



'Vessels #10'
11"X11"
Acrylic mixed media on
Canson watercolour paper

This painting isn't quite the end result I was looking for, but I think it is a good first start. I am going to continue working with value in a more mindful way, on a daily basis and as time allows. Practice, practice, practice!!

Thanks for stopping by.


8 comments:

  1. I have worked the grisaille method too, like the old masters. It really does work and I thought it like magic when the color is added. I think this turned out really well and like the unusual shapes of your vases. the light colors sparkle against the darks you created in the depth of this painting. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nelvia - didn't even know that it had a specific name! Do you paint like this a lot? Pushed me out of my comfort zone for sure. I figure if I keep at it though will become more second nature.....I hope! Thanks for visiting

      Delete
  2. Janet, your facility with values and contrast makes for stunning visual impact. The strong shapes, flat and literal textures, and the etched-out shapes in the background add to the dramatic punch. What is particularly striking to me is how much power this piece has while still being fairly muted and quiet. This piece far exceeds your 'good first start' descriptor.

    What did you use/do to create the built-up 3-D textures?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dotty - thanks for the great comments. You always make me see things differently. I did find it tiring and I think that is where the impatient part came in - sweet relief to add colour! I too like the muted colours - they have their own power in a painting. I used the Golden Glass Bead Gel ('made with genuine glass beads, offers a unique effect similar to condensation on glass - best seen in thin films over a light color to allow the glass beads to be illuminated.'...Golden's description). The paper I used already had a lot of colour and the 'beads' applied. To be honest I don't really care for them. I like to lift my paint and will add rubbing alcohol and then lightly burnish to get a good lift of paint. Hard to do with the 'bumpy' bits. I haven't used them since the workshop we used them in and I wouldn't buy them again. Hope this helps.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your thoughtful answers to my question—great info, including that you wouldn't purchase the Golden Glass Bead Gel again.

      Delete
  3. Looking at the enlarged view, and I LOVE all that texture. What is that nubby, bumpy "stuff". As much as I love the objects of desire, I adore your background. The colors are so wonderful, maybe they are so delightful because they are different from your go to's. A nice surprise in my book :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheila, the 'nubby-bumpy' stuff is Golden Glass Bead Gel (this is Golden's description 'made with genuine glass beads, offers a unique effect similar to condensation on glass - best seen in thin films over a light colour to allow the glass beads to be illuminated.') I painted over them so lost the 'illumination' quality. I like being able to lift paint and these beads make it difficult - too uneven a surface. Glad you like the colours - they are growing on me. My favourite texture tool is still the dried out pen with the metal tip. Always appreciate your comments.

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete