Pastels and Watercolors (and a few other art media)

[waday]

That's a darn good likeness. Hope you're pleased with it - I think you did great!

Thanks! As happy as I can be with my current abilities.

 

[terri16]

That's a darn good likeness. Hope you're pleased with it - I think you did great!

Thanks! As happy as I can be with my current abilities.

I understand that sentiment perfectly!

Though in your case, I think you're being a little harsh.

 

[waday]

That's a darn good likeness. Hope you're pleased with it - I think you did great!

Thanks! As happy as I can be with my current abilities.

I understand that sentiment perfectly!

Though in your case, I think you're being a little harsh.

I appreciate that, thank you

 

[snowbear94]

Yes, very good job and much better than I can do.

 

[terri16]

This one I am filing under 100% experimental.

I bought this coarse pumice gel medium to experiment with adding texture in oil pastel paintings. The stuff is very gritty/sand-like material mixed into a gel that can be spread onto a canvas or heavy paper. I should have used a watercolor paper, but I seem to make a lot of mistakes in that regard. I used Arches oil paper.

I have also been looking at a lot of folk art lately, just for different inspirations, and thought a barnyard would be a good scene to use some of this gel in. I sketched out a very loose scene and spread the gel out with a palette knife:

It has a watery base so my NOT-watercolor paper buckled somewhat. I let it dry overnight and it smoothed out. I left a lot of white paper under the gel because I wanted to make sure I could work enough oil pastel in there. Had no idea what to expect.

After putting in some background, I got my cheapest OP's, Cray-Pas Expressionists, and just worked them all over the pumice gel. It went on fine, just ate up the OP stick, which I expected. I used a couple of different colors.

Then I brushed Turpenoid over the oil pastels on the gel, hoping to smooth out the color, so I'd end up with a rough-looking barnyard ground, and I was happy when it looked like this:

So from there, I just kept going with the idea of a "folk art" kind of painting. I usually blend oil pastels out smoothly, but for this one I just kept adding stroke marks, so it would look crayon-like. With folk art, it seems that perfect lines, dimensions and perspectives can be played with.

Frankly, I don't know if I even like this final painting - but on the whole as an experimental thing, it was fun. Just way outside how I usually work.

Next time I use this gel, it might be for a beach scene. Nice and sandy.

 

[snowbear94]

That's neat, Terri - like painting on sandpaper.

 

[terri16]

That's neat, Terri - like painting on sandpaper.

Yes, just not as even. This is kinda lumpy. But it was interesting to give it a try.

I've always enjoyed messing around with mediums. I did more when I hand colored, and worked with other alternative photographic processes. Fun stuff. Gets my hands dirty.

 

[waday]

Terri, I really like that, it’s abstract. Love the added texture.

 

[waday]

Terri, I keep coming back to it. I like it!

I like looking at folk art, as well. Yours reminds me of this:

I bought this for my wife a few years ago. It’s from an Ecuadorian artist from Tigua (from the mid-1980s). I love the spiritual imagery worked into the village scene. Yours reminded me of this, because it has a typical farm scene with different zones/areas, each with their own personality.

 

[terri16]

Terri, I keep coming back to it. I like it!

I like looking at folk art, as well. Yours reminds me of this:

View attachment 198193

I bought this for my wife a few years ago. It’s from an Ecuadorian artist from Tigua (from the mid-1980s). I love the spiritual imagery worked into the village scene. Yours reminded me of this, because it has a typical farm scene with different zones/areas, each with their own personality.

Wow! This is just awesome - I love it, too! I appreciate your analysis about the different zones. That seems very astute.

You might also enjoy Marc Chagall. He's famous for putting lots of different imagery, elements into his paintings. Extremely colorful, like this one.

Folk art has really been elevated for me. Glad mine is resonating in a positive way for you.

 

[waday]

Yes, very good job and much better than I can do.

Thanks Charlie. I love your unique style, as well as your willingness to try different styles and media.

 

[SquarePeg19]

I think it's great. I really love how the rooster turned out.

 

[terri16]

I think it's great. I really love how the rooster turned out.

Thanks! The rooster was the most fun. Lots of vermillion red and cobalt blue.

 

[limr11]

Not sure if this will work, but I just saw it on Facebook and thought this guy was incredibly talented and fun to watch.



(I tried to embed the video, but it doesn't seem to work. It's public, though, so you don't need to have a Facebook account.)

 

[waday]

Whoa! Absolutely stunning