New Painting, New In Progress Updates

Thought I would do another round of in progress shots.

I found a new image that I wanted to paint from(below)..

(photo by Larry Brunt)

Last night i laid down the base layer of color. My technique of painting is really to lay down colors, then rub or scrape off dried colors revealing some of the paint underneath. I always do this in my sky sections... and usually on the ground too. It is an easier way to add interest and changes of hue to the work. I wanted to start with a grey sky, yellow ground, and some brown highlights. I also added some texture compound where the trees will be(you can see the middle of the painting on left and on the right, and very bottom). This by no means will be the final colors, I just dont like white as a background(some people use colored gesso instead of white).

The painting wont be an exact replica of the photo, because I use other people images, I dont want to copy their composition per say... just use it as a reference. Plus, mine always end up a bit more abstract and interesting.

Teal Storms

Finished up a new painting last week. I have jumped around enough over the past 2 years and have now focused on what I love to paint. Aside from painting, and art, I am a closet weather geek. I like watching storms roll in, and cloud formations. Weather usually seems to show up in my art, if I meant it to or not. This new painting is of a small set of clouds rolling in just before a set of storms pass by.

I tried a new way of varnishing my art this time also. I used an Epoxy Resin to coat the canvas once I was finished. It wasnt the easiest or quickest, but I like the results. Though there is a very strong glare off the art, it really makes the color pop(as you will see below). the resin creates almost a plastic coating on the art. I will not bore you with how the epoxy resin works, but linked here is a site that I followed for the most part...
http://johnnybotts.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-apply-epoxy-resin-to-artwork.html

Teal Storms

36x32 mixed media on canvas covered in epoxy resin


Think the contrast on a brick all works well

Detail before epoxy resin

Detail after epoxy resin


Kona wanted to get in on the action. You can also see the glare off the resin.


Detail with resin

Organization for the Studio

I finished some organization pieces for the painting room. Created a rack to hold my paint tubes(doesnt fit half of them, but at least it fits each color).. i have back-ups to replace those when they run out. Also made a metal bulletin board to hang images/phots to view while painting. Glued magnets to the back of beer bottle caps.

Poppy Painting.. done

I finished the Poppy Painting over the weekend. Next step is to coat it with a clear varnish to protect it and to make the colors pop a bit more. I will post another picture once I hang it up. Also started another painting this weekend, that I hope to be finished with in the next week. with spring time approaching, I will probably be in the "studio" a little less, and in the yard a bit more, but I will post some thoughts and images of that also.

Poppies
Mixed Media on canvas