Every autumn at the lake, people dismantle all their piers and store their boats on higher ground. The photo reference for this was taken one fall day after most people had closed up their cottages for the winter. This old shed holds promises of fun for next summer's season. Red, yellow, and blue were used in this painting, mixed on the paper to create subtle changes of grays throughout the picture. Masking tape pieces were torn and placed where I didn't want any more color added. After each new value of colors was added, I'd wait until the paper was completely dry before adding the next shapes of masking tape to preserve the necessary existing values.
By the time the painting was finished, it was covered everywhere with pieces of tape, except in the darkest areas. Peeling off each small bit of tape took time, but when it was all off, the painting was finished.
I love to do this process because of the batik look that occurs where the paint creeps under the pieces of torn and cut masking tape. I also love puzzles, and painting this way is like working a big puzzle backwards. This painting is an oldie, but one we still have in our home. You can click on the image for an upclose view of the detail of the textures created by the tape and paint.
"SUMMER'S END" Transparent Watercolor on CP Crescent Board, 16 x 22"
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7 comments:
Hi Sandy! I used to live in Wisconsin on a lake and had an old boat house that looked exactly like this! Sure brings back memories!
beautiful... just beautiful...
love the masking tape masking! and congratulations on your second year of blogging. I forgot to add that yesterday.
I love to see old places that look like your painting. Terrific work, Sandy. Perhaps one day you will share a few pics of a painting during the masking tape process. I bet with the tape on and the color painted in, even then the painted tape areas would be interesting. Hope that made sense. *grin*
The process you are describing sounds very difficult but the effect is well worth the effort. Of course if I did any water color using any other technique mine would entirely come out like a Rorshack test. With this masking tape technique it would end up with a colored paper ball. You are the master!
Much patience have you, oh mistress of masking tape!!
What an amazingly prolonged technique but well worth the effort. My you have patience. Loved the colours revealed in such detail on enlarging.
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