pastel acrylic mixed medium printing acrylic inks
pastel painting
I first started to paint with pastels. I found them delightfully tactile and easy to use with the colours right there at your fingers tips and with one side stroke of the pastel you could have shading or shadow. They were very forgiving making it simple to erase and correct. Perhaps the only negative was that they were reasonably messy to work. Also the finished art needed to be framed behind glass. This adds to the cost, makes them heavier to take to exhibition and therefore are not so suitable for large work. There are many ways to use pastels. The slide shows below outlines how I usually use them.
Seascapes
Whether on holidays or at home on the Central Coast of NSW, and whatever the weather, I love to walk on, or near the beach. For me, it’s refreshing, uplifting and inspiring. I enjoy the views, smelling the ocean, feeling textures under my feet plus observing the flora and fauna. It's such a contrast to the hurried pace at which we life our lives.
Through the medium of pastel and using a realist style, I have attempted to transpose my enjoyable experiences onto paper. The use of soft colours and developing a spaciousness within my paintings is like a call to stop, breath and feel the calm.
acrylic and mixed medium
My painting journey has taken me to the challenge of using acrylic and mixed medium in non-figurative and impressionist styles. With just the impact of colour, form and textures, I endeavour to speak to the emotions and to the imagination. I feel this type of painting can have many layers of meaning that gives opportunity for thought.
I may begin with an idea in mind and other times my aim is to explore and just be creative. As I prime the surface of a new or re-cycled canvas I may glue on materials such as sand, tissue paper, newspaper, strips of fabric etc.and/or add impasto-gel to the paint. The bold-coloured acrylic paint can be poured, flung or vigorously dragged across the surface with the edge of a tool. I may even use my fingers to work the image in a new directions. I may repeat or limit the paint application. Random marks are sometimes scratched into the texture. A clear varnish finish achieves the lush, richness. A narrative for each painting usually comes to me as I'm painting. The therapy of painting allows my mind body and spirit to ponder the painting process comparing it to the living process.
printing
The printing process, of applying a medium to a surface, is another creative idea that has so many possibilities and variables.
NATURAL MATERIAL ON CANVAS Using natural material (leaves, flowers, berries) coffee granules and tea plus found rusty objects I aimed to achieve interesting pieces of art on canvas and fabric. Some items were pressed onto the surface others positioned, sprayed with water and left to dry. I realised I'd need to leave the rust items on the canvas outside for ages to let them produce marks, therefore I pressed on towards a pleasing end result by spraying ink, stamping leaf patterns and burning holes in the canvas using a huge sparkler. After the work had dried I coated with a clear varnish. This series has a natural feel and reminds me of the garden.
PRINTING USING GELATINE PLATE AND ACRYLIC PAINT
Step one - make the printing plate:- Sprinkling 100g gelatine into 2 cups of boiling water and stir in 100g Glycerine. Set overnight in flat container lined with baking paper (to make it easy to remove) Cover and store it in the fridge so that you can re-use (for approx 6mths) If the surface gets damaged micro wave until it's a liquid and re-set. (Next time I make one I plan to add a drop or two of a sweet smell)
Now to create:- Un-mold the plate onto your work surface Apply paint and sit relief items (leaves, string, buttons, cut outs etc) on the surface. Or place relief items on the surface and roll paint over them and the printing plate. Place your paper/canvas/card face down on the printing plate. Press with your hands. Remove and sit to dry. Wipe plate clean or add more items and paint. Repeat the process until desired result is achieved.
Great way to make cards. Crop into finished works on paper to find parts that are suitable to frame.
acrylic inks
Oh what fun - the intense colours - the free flowing effects from working wet on wet using Yuko paper and acrylic inks. The process takes time because the inks dry slowing over days. Not happy with end result - wet the work and the ink will lift off the Yupo paper - start again. To some paintings I added another layer of inks while others I added detail using pens and ink on a brush.