First wash of acrylic painting for my Commission work. I had made a light rough sketch I used Phthalo Green to the background after I had applied clean water to the canvas. I used a large brush to apply the water and the paint so that i could achieve a fairly even tone.
Here I've added a light green for a contrast to the still damp Phthalo and then lifted the canvas up at various angle so that the colours blended into one another. I wanted to achieve a similar effect that i had with the batiks I've done,which to some degree has worked, but due to the rigidity of the canvas it doesn't soak into it as well as fabric canvas that hasn't been treated with gesso or white acrylic. It's still looking pretty pale.
Below I have mixed a wash of Crimson Red to the background petals of a Cyclamen. I have let it bleed into the Phthalo Green. It has been quite hard keeping the white areas clean, but thank goodness to baby wipes.
I had added a stronger mix of the greens, but didn't like the effect as I'd forgotten to lay down a layer of water first, so I wiped it of with kitchen paper and re-applied it again for a smoother look.
Before I had lifted the canvas and moved the direction of the paint so that it bled into one another in the above shot and below you can see how the colours have merged.
On the image below I have added pools of colour and again tipped the canvas. I then used a hairdryer to dry the paint and achieved some interesting tones and shades of varying depths. It looks like indistinct foliage, which is what I wanted to do. I have found it quite tricky doing this technique on a large area, without it running into the white areas, so I started to do it in smaller sections.
The right hand side of this image still needs work on it to try to create the same effect as the left side.
It helps to put my work up on an easel and stand back from it so I can see how it is coming on and to also check for areas that needs more working on. I need to add some washes of Paynes Grey to knock back some of the brightness and to darken parts of the background too, especially towards the right hand corner and towards the large petals in the foreground.
Here i have started to added the spots and red/pink markings on the petals. I used the same Crimson Red, but in a paler tone, as some of them will not be much darker on the finished piece. On the light purple petal I mixed a little Crimson Red with a little bit of Blue and started to lay down the wash.
This is a close up of the center of the canvas. I like the effect of the foliage against the delicate contrast of the petals and this i hope will make the flower stand out.
At this stage I have sopped to let the paint dry naturally over night. Stay posted to see further developments.
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I am a new up and coming mixed media artist currently studying my 2nd year at Macclesfield College on Creative Arts for Employment Foundation Degree.
Since April this year I share a Studio Workshop and Gallery space in Macclesfield with three of the students that are on the same course. We are all quite diverse from one another; one specialising in textile and embroidery, and the three remaining artists have all created our own techniques in mixed media.
We will eventually have guest artists exhibiting their work and we'll also be doing workshops so that we can share our knowledge to all ages.
My work is primarily centered on natural forms such as abstract flowers, landscapes, seascapes and ceramic work that is both textural and with the feeling of movement.
Colour has a strong influence on me and this is reflected in my work mainly strong and bright or subtle, however the mood or subject dictates. When looking around me for inspiration colour is the first thing that has a major impact on me with texture a close second. Due to colours influence on me this is the first thing I consider when starting a new project and then I decide if I'm going to add texture to the canvas, paper or board. I use photography, watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, printing & ceramics as a means to translate what I see. Some of my work is representative yet I also like to experiment with small compositions & paint abstract images from them. I use a wide range of media from tissue paper to tile grout in my acrylic & printing work to add texture & depth; this makes my work both visual & tactile.
I have been commissioned paintings & I'm available for more work.