Monday, July 23, 2012

Working away


This was sitting around waiting for attention.
It was one of those paintings that was started
and then abandoned because I couldn't decide what to do next.
It came together, finally.

Plaster on panel, oil and cold wax  12x16

~~~~~

I start my art practice by warming up.
I use bulldog clips and hang paper from nails on the wall.
Do you know of Steven Aimone's book Expressive Drawing?
There is a exercise from the book that is fast paced and non thinking.
I set a timer for a minute or two and start making marks.
Then set the timer again and go in with watercolors or acrylics.
Back and forth, marks and paint.
Great for helping you get loosened up and out of your head.

Graphite, charcoal, acrylic on paper 22 x 30
~~~
Trying to decided what to do next, I spotted a bottle 
of Golden's Asphaltum Glaze. hmmmm...
I grabbed the glaze and a chip brush and went at it,
scrubbing away. Working with glaze can be a little tricky, 
if you go over an area with glaze on it too many times
the paint lifts off.  That wasn't a problem here as it
created its own outlines.



I'm happy with the way it turned out.

~~~

I started another influx drawing/painting the other day.
There's some pretty good drama going on here so far.
Need to let it sit for a bit before I dive in again.
Fear of ruining it.
That's really the time I should go for it, when I feel fear.


Graphite and acrylic on paper 25" x 40"

Thanks for stopping by!

3 comments:

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Terrific pieces all! Really love what you did with the Asphaltum Glaze and that final piece, wonderful

Chris said...

Thanks for stopping by Bren! I appreciate your kind words. I heard Golden is going to discontinue the Asphaltum glaze :( Looks like I need to mix it myself.

Ruth Armitage said...

Hi Chris,
these are terrific!