Pages

GO TO YOUR ROOM !

I borrowed this phrase from the recently deceased Canadian painter Robert Genn who believed that there is only so much we can learn about how to paint from the many fine instructors and resources available today. The true learning comes from going off on our own and just doing it - Go to your room!

I have had the good fortune to take instruction from outstanding artists in Canada and the USA. I continue to work on my own development ( Going to MY room!) . I share, through this blog and workshops, what I have learned and what others have shared with me.

I created this blog primarily for those attending my workshops to keep in touch and to further share as we grow together. If others are interested in following that would be great.

Enjoy the journey.

Wednesday 8 April 2015

More Large Stiff Brushes with WM Oils on Burnt Umber



Continuing to experiment with smaller oils sketches using stiff Legato brights in large sizes: 1 1/2, 1 and 1/2 inch. Working with WM oils and odorless solvent on linen or canvas mounted on 1/8 inch doorskin and treated with Liquatex Burnt Umber Gesso - sizes 8x10 to 11x14. I have been experimenting with this combination off and on for a couple of weeks and really starting to feel comfortable and confident.

What I am enjoying is the combination forces simplification and abstraction . I also like the angular strong brushstrokes. The stiff brushes mix the oils thinly for the first layers - something I have had a problem with - and can be used to lay on thicker oils on later layers.

I have found that opaque oils, particularly titanium white, does not cover the dark underpainting as easily as the acrylic does.