As many of you know, I am a huge fan of understanding the product and the process. I take many classes and read a lot (and I do mean a lot) of materials on everything about art. Many are intrigued by how and what I take on a class, book, article, video, etc.
If you have taken the course or want to - please be sure to look into it. I took something totally different from it that I am sure was expected. In all honestly though, that is the pure joy of art - it is all about perspective...your own. Your perspective, YOur perception, YOURr view, YOUR understanding, your take, simply....your way!
Rae worked her way through the course offering three different color trios to work with, I however; took it to a whole different direction. I used the 'colors' in a way that was inspiring to me - more abstract - more in the way of Jodi Ohl inspired.
Follow along if you wish and see how I used the the color trios....my way.
Abstract Grunge
My first color trio was Teal, Green Gold & Luminous Rose (and of course Black & White for tinting, shading and accent). This would be known as a Split Complementary on a Color Wheel. I painted on a 12x16" Canson Canva ArtBoard.
I applied all the paints using either a brayer, Catalyst Tool or Wedge. The further I got into it, I pulled out some brushes (Brights in varying sizes) to allow me to get better definition along the center of the piece.
Made marks using my flower pick or edge of rubber brayer. Created the black lines using a very old American Crafts DIY Patterned Brayer (Stripes).
Splattered the three main colors that were mixed heavily with water using my 1" Bright brush.
I scribbled using a water soluble Graphite pencil as well as a Charcoal pencil when I did not want the seepage.
This was a very fast and simple piece that was done in less than an hour. Really love how it cam out. Using the textured brayer was a great blast from the past - do you have a favorite tool from year ago that you still love to use?
Abstract Color Blocking
The next color trio I used was Deep Violet Purple, Luminous Rose & Granny Smith
I once again used a Canva ArtBoard to create this piece.
Creating an 'under' image is something used by many artist to simply get something down on the canvas when they often fear the white of a canvas. I do not have this issue, this base was an older piece I just didn't like so covered with heavy black gesso. Once it was dried, I wrote out some lyrics from a song I like using a Liquitex Paint Pen in White. Once it was dry, I used a water soluble crayon to sketch out the basis for my blocking.
I filled in my spaces with a mix of the paints - some pure, some mixed with others, some mixed with white (heavy body or translucent)
Using a brayer, a sheet of deli paper or a baby wipe - I adjusted the amount(s) of paint on each area to get it to a depth I was happy with.
I scraped, scratched, spritzed and splattered along the way.
I would often use the baby wipe and pull away a good amount of the paints in order to show the words beneath.
As you can see by the number of photos along the way, there was a lot of adding and subtracting along the way.
This is how is sits now. Really liking the vibrancy it has - so unlike me with the brightness, yet so me with the grungeness.
More Abstract Gunge
The next color trio was a tough one to work with. They are all transparent! Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Quinacridone Magenta & Transparent Pyrrole Orange.
I once again did the writing on the canva board, however this time I used the white base and wrote with a black paint marker.
I missed taking several photos along the way - could have to do with me now liking how it was coming along. I painted over the entire piece a couple of time using Liquitex Soft Body Titanium White Acrylic Paint. Always using my brayer to apply and my flower pick to scribble.
I used some of my vinyl number stash to attach a meaningful number combination. Then continued to apply more paints as well as take away when needed.
You can see I once again used the American Crafts DIY Brayer to add some much need visual linear texture.
I continue to apply layers using one of my smaller brayers, adding little color patches along the way. I will sit back look at it and decide where it needs a pop of color or a push/pull back of color.
Blending with a brayer is one of my favorite ways to work a piece. If you use the brayer too much on a wet surface you will often get a strong pull right from the bottom - hence a pulling/tearing of the substrate. Sometimes it is okay, others it can ruin your piece...so be cautious.
Needing some definition, I pulled out a graphite pencil and started making my own definition - as seen here with the 'cross' which aided in dividing the colors and therefore creating a new focal point.
Here are a few close ups to see the amazing texture I was able to get along the way.
Will say not one of my favorite combos, nor final outcome, but will say I learned a good thing or two along the way....which always make me happy.
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until next time...
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REMINDER: The shop will be on 'vacay' for the first two weeks of June. Even though you will still be able to submit orders, I will not be filling, shipping nor replying to emails.
