It's gone pear shaped!

The background on this wood box canvas has so many layers that I honestly cant remember in what order I applied colours, wiped back and sanded! And if I did recall I would have to right an essay on here to explain.
I do remember however applying gesso with a pallet knife first to give lots of texture.

Once the background was in place the pear shape was drawn roughly with a white pastel pencil and filled in with white crackle paste.

Once the crackle paste had cracked it was given a coat of Flitter glue and left to dry.

Mega flakes in Sheffield Steel were then applied over the pear.

The flakes sunk nicely into the cracks which is what I was hoping for.

A coat of Decoart Faux Finishing Medium was painted over the flitter to give it some tooth so that it would hold washes of paint.

I coloured the pear with washes of Decoart Traditions in the following order, Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide, Quinacridone Gold and finally Quinacridone Burnt Orange.

Because these colours are so translucent the light is able to pass through them and bounce back from the silver leaf (sheffield Steel).   

Finally I spattered the pear with Burnt Umber.

When light or the sun hits the canvas the pear glows!

Here is a close-up of the background, as you can see lots going on.

Once the pair was dry I painted in the table, added shading and light then finally stamped and stenciled with Americana Titanium White.

These wood canvases are great to paint on, this one came from the US, if anyone knows where I can get them over here in the UK please let me know.

Thanks for reading,

Andy

Acrylic Dripping Technique

I first saw this technique in a youtube video by artist James Kruse, you apply acrylic paint to a wet canvas,  then spritze with water and let the paint run and move.
It takes a little practice as to how much water you use and do but an old cloth under your easel to soak up any paint that runs off the canvas.

Here is a little test piece to show you the idea, I found translucent colours work very well and its important to have strong pigmented paint..

Spritz the canvas with water first and apply your Traditions acrylic paint with a wet brush.

Then gently start spritzing until the paint starts to move

 Too much water and you can end up with a blank canvas but you can keep adding layers of colour.

My first attempt was a bit of a disaster I thought, although I did like the colours. 

It was the small 10 x 15 cm canvas pictured below.

I put it to one side with the idea of covering it with gesso and using it again at some point.

Later that evening after a couple of glasses of Chablis it has to be said, I looked at the canvas again this time vertically and a picture started to appear.... can you see it?

No? Maybe this picture will help you.

Thats the beauty of this technique, it's so random but you can look into the canvas and start to see something, often as the paint is moving, this was the case in this Waterfall painting.

Here is  Jame's Kruse's Video.

Thanks for reading,

Andy

Work in Progress

A quick post to share a couple of canvases I am painting for a new live workshop at the Craft Barn on the 19th May

The first has been grunged up a little while the second is more calming I think.

A quick reminder that The Book of Ruination lifetime online workshop goes live 10am GMT this Friday, the introductory offer then ceases and the price will be £29.99

Thanks for reading,

Andy

Abstract Graffiti

Just a quick post to share an abstract painting which I have been working on using Decoart Traditions acrylic paint on canvas.
The paint has been applied in daubs with a brush and also with a pallet knife in some areas giving lots of texture although the photo has not really picked it up.
Inspiration came from a weathered wall I saw that had been covered all over in colourful graffiti and stencilled.

Told you it was a quick post! :)

Andy

Pleased as Punch!

It's been a while since I posted so here is what's new.

Below is a Stix 2 canvas I have completed with a kind of steampunk industrial theme, each time I use this canvas I learn something new.

I am not sure why but I have been a little obsessed researching Punch & Judy of late as I want to do some kind of altered art piece based on it.
I had a little play making a Punch head and mounted it on a small book box.

Not sure where this will lead but hopefully I will get inspiration for this project soon!

Thanks for reading,

Andy

Memories of London 2012

Those of you who have taken part in Timeworn will know all about colour washes. I have used a vey similar effect in the painting below called glazing used by the Renaissance painters.
A glaze is a thin transparent colour painted on top of another transparent layer. Using this method allows light to pass through and be reflected back from the underlying layers which gives the paint a more luminous quality.
Glazed colours transmit light from within whereas opaque colours transmit light from the surface only.
I have mixed Traditions glazing medium with my Traditions colours, you could just use water but I find the glazing medium gives better translucency.


When using this method, start with the lighter colours, I first added a glaze of Transparent yellow iron oxide for the warm areas and a mix of cobalt blue and quin violet for the cool areas.
The red t-shirt had  glaze layers of napthol Red Light applied, highlights where then added to the creases and a final glaze layer of quin burnt orange was added. The final red colour radiates light.

This is however a very slow way of painting, far quicker with acrylic rather than oil but still slow but if you are after that luminosity it has to be done.
These techniques can be used in your altered art also, the book below uses a similar technique.


Before I go a quick note to those on the last Timeworn, you're final piece pics have gone away for judging, I will email the winner when results are back and announce it on here.

Andy

Moroccan Fisherman (finished)

Here is a finished painting I have been working on of a Moroccan fisherman, I just love his haggard weatherworn face.

A two tone under painting was first painted before building up the colour gradually with Traditions Acrylic paint.
Finally subtle translucent glazes were applied.

25cm x 17.5 cm Decoart Traditions on Acrylic Paper

 

Andy

Lots to share!

Hi all, what a horrid day here in the UK.
I have few things to share today, first of all a big hello to everyone attending the Rock Book class at Paper Arts in Stroud on Sunday, hope everything has now dried!

Apologies for cutting a couple of you off in the photo, not used to this ipad yet…

 

THE MAD MUSEUM

Whilst in a hotel a few weeks back, I found a leaflet for a new museum in Stratford Upon Avon, Not had chance to visit yet but am going to soon.

The MAD museum is a wonderful and exciting collection of machines incorporating gears, chains, pulleys and whirligig paraphernalia. The exhibits fall into three areas:

Kinetic Art = art in motion

Automata = interesting mechanical contraptions

Steampunk = modern gizmos with a Victorian twist

Superbly engaging for all ages, the museum offers an extravaganza of visual entertainment with lots of rolling balls and plenty of clanking and rattling thrown in for good measure! There are both large and small exhibits inside and outside, the MAD garden offers wind and water powered features and sculptures to really blow you away!

http://themadmuseum.co.uk/

And finally a new mixed media canvas, this one is 12 x 16"

Click on Images for a Larger View






Anyone fancy this type of thing as an online workshop??

Enjoy your day,

Andy

Mixed Media Canvas Workshop

Hello,
I was back at the Craft Barn today holding a mixed media canvas workshop using Decoart acrylic paint, Derwent Inktense pencils, Marker pens, Archival Ink and a few other mediums.
This workshop has techniques very similar to art journaling but instead using a 12" x 12" canvas and predominantly acrylic paint.

Here are some pictures of todays awesome…(did I just say awesome??..:) canvases.

I am hoping everyone on the workshop would have learned a few techniques which they can build upon with lots of practice,  we had only four and a half hours to produce these canvases,  I often need to step away from the canvas for a few hours or even sometimes days!!  I honestly think you all did an amazing job!

Lindsay Masons new Stamps work so well with this, I would absolutely love to be able to write freehand on this type of artwork but my handwriting really is atrocious, a bit like a doctors so thank goodness for these stamps!
I have now nearly moved in to the new home, one more trip tomorrow to finish it all off.
As for unpacking!?!……well unfortunately, that has not happened yet although I am hoping to get a few days free next week!
Kathy,  thank you so much for the kind gift of the Duck eggs today,  I really can't wait to try them :)
Take care
Andy

Bit of a Shocker!

Hello,
Really quick post today, if you read my post titled Noisy Neighbours a few days ago I mentioned that I had started a canvas but it was a bit dark because of my mood and I did not want to show it? well today being much happier in myself I revamped it! 
I have a painting on my wall at home by artist Elena Gomez called Goose Hill which kind of inspired this.
Its still a little dark and may shock a few readers because the style is probably not what you associate me with but here it is anyway!



Andy

noisy neighbours!

Hello,
I've not posted for a few days as I have had to be very strict with myself and concentrate fully on tasks that need to be completed before I leave for Bahrain, the trouble is every time I tick one job off the list another one comes along, I'm sure you have all been there!

I was kindly awoken this morning at 2am by neighbours deciding to have a party that went on until the early hours so I have been awake since and I am now really struggling to keep my eyes open.  I will continue with this post however without falling asleep at my desk…. hopefully!

I did start a large canvas this morning to try and take my mind of the thumping bass that was penetrating through my walls but it just ended u ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….  sorry.. nodded off there for a moment lol…. it just ended up a very angry painting which I don't think I should share!  Oh….oh that reminds me I am running a new workshop when I return at the Craft Barn on Sunday March 4th a long way away I know but it is going to be a Mixed Media Canvas workshop which is kind of where my background lays, warning though this workshop will be messy and very individual, can't wait!
Here are some examples off some small 10cm x 10cm canvases although on the workshop we will be using larger 30cm x 30cm canvases





I really need to go to sleep now, a nice cold glass of wine and bed I think, I am soooo feeling the urge to set my alarm for 2am, plug my guitar in and push my amplifier against their wall and just go for it!!
I have to be honest they don't do this on a regular basis so I won't put them through the torture that is me playing guitar!!

Bye for now,

Andy

Gone Down Under

Hello,
I had absolutely no plans on making a video this week but on Friday night I had a urge to make some aboriginal wall art and thought I may as well film it at the same time.
I decided to use chunky unglazed earthenware tiles as a substrate, these can double up as either a coaster or an earthenware canvas.

Click on Images for a Larger View


I have used Americana Acrylic paint and Adirondack Alcohol Inks for these pieces and finally sealed them with Americana Matte sealer for a durable waterproof finish.


Before the Video a quick catch up on the week, I have done a little more work on the altered guitar. I first sanded it, added a few rivets and applied a coat of Lamp Black Acrylic paint mixed with Decoart's  paint adhesion medium to make sure it sticks and will not in any way scratch off.



I have also been sent some Ranger goodies to use in an upcoming magazine article for Crafts Beautiful and a few other projects,  now at last I have more than 5 colours of Distress Ink..yippee!



And finally I spent the day yesterday running a workshop on Silver Clay Fingerprint Jewellery, here are some examples.



Right time for the video, have a great week.
Andy

Enjoy!

da Vinci returns

I had one last photocopy left of the study of a woman's head by da Vinci and decided to use it on an old box canvas that has been kicking around.
It was just a practice to see how Decoart’s modeling paste would react with distress ink’s and Decoart’s two part Perfect Crackle medium and it did not let me down!


Unlike Gesso this modeling paste absorbs the Distress inks in fact it loves them and stamping into it is a breeze!

The two part Perfect Crackle Medium worked brilliantly also.

There are a few different techniques used on this canvas including acrylic blistering and modeling paste application.
I may do a video on it if time allows!

Have a great weekend everyone,

Andy

Decoart Traditions

Today I decided to take a break from bisque to continue working on a canvas that I started a while back using Decoart Traditions acrylic paint.
Most of the background is now in place and I can start adding the finer detail. It has been great to get a chance to put brush to canvas once again.