We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
"Little Gidding"
T S Eliot

Monday 27 February 2017

Mix it up!

Following the experimentation with textures in my art class (see here), we spent a couple of weeks on a project using textures and mixed media.

This project had many layers, and I luckily remembered to take stage photos!

Stage one was drawing the outline and laying down some tissue paper pieces with PVA glue and resin sand (a gel medium with sand).

When dry I then did a pale all over wash.









Light coloured oil pastels were used next in some of the foreground areas and over the resin sand on the tree and shrubby areas. This was followed by background watercolour washes. The oil pastels act as a resist.







Then I concentrated on the tree using watercolour.













Next I strengthened some areas of the watercolour background, and added some gouache (greens and purples).












Finally, I used more oil pastels in the foreground and on the tree, Neocolor II pastels in the background, and acrylic inks and watercolour pencils for the extra twiggy bits.


This combination of almost every media I own made me realise even more that anything and everything can work together.

This project has taught me so much, that I'll no longer be afraid to use something if I think it will give me the effect I'm after.

I encourage everyone to have a go with paint, pencils, inks - whatever you've got!

3 comments:

  1. I had intended to get here sooner, but I've been so sick, I've had trouble just getting out of bed.

    The first photo looked like a big mess to me. I didn't see anything, much less a scene. In fact, I thought you were working on an abstract. Even after you started laying color down, I was still confused, that is, until the tree came in and the piece took on a beauty I would NEVER have imagined seeing from that first photo. I love the shadings, the depth you accomplished, and the color variation. This is one very impressive work of art!

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  2. Loved the build up of art materials and then the final result is stunning. Really creates atmosphere.

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