Slow:
The "oil drying wall" is in the part of my studio with the lowest ceiling and most uneven wall space. A good place for slow drying.
Above, under the cool overhead studio light.
Below, warm lighting from one side.
I find it useful to have different lighting options in my studio.
Fast:
While the oil layers dry I begin a new series of acrylic paintings, using some pieces of canvas given to me a few years ago. The pieces already had some paint on them. Sometimes I really enjoy working with someone else's cast-off things, because beginning with an aesthetic that did not originate from myself is a good creative stretch.
First I stained over the painted canvas pieces to vary the colour. Then I applied colour washes to some larger pieces cut from one of my canvas rolls.
Lay out the smaller pieces on top of the larger, and the thing looks like a quilt!
Stitch patterns into the smaller pieces, then stitch the smaller onto the larger pieces. Stretch them and paint the edges, and:
Those are the first two. I'm not entirely pleased with them yet. The edge colours are off. The proportions of the edge colours are off.
Whenever I work like this, it's the edges that take the most time to resolve! *laughs*
In contrast, the stitched part of this type of image is almost effortless for me. Although I do take some care in choosing the thread and the small coloured bits, I don't draw anything out before stitching. I basically just let the sewing machine do it.
It's like automatic drawing, a technique developed by the Surrealists wherein the drawing is done without conscious self-censorship.
I'm setting up to make 24 of these little paintings, each measuring 12x12 inches. When I need a break from them, I will turn to the oil paintings and add more layers. It's good to have several things on the go at once.
Until next time,
:)
V
