Tomorrow morning brings me the special opportunity of painting a demo for the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society. I'll be presenting many of the possibilities of how to create watercolor-looking paintings using Fluid Acrylics on Yupo. This 20x26" sketch on medium weight YUPO has nearly turned into a very large value study but shows my subject matter for the morning. The drawing and values have been done with a regular DERWENT watercolor pencil to help the artists see how the painting's pattern will be established with lights, mediums, and darks.
The pencil was a light gray blue color (though the color didn't photograph right,) and my intent was to show 4 to 5 values throughout the painting, using the w/c pencil. All I'll have to do is fill in the appropriate areas with colors of the right values with fluid acrylics. The watercolor pencil will almost completely dissolve when brushed over twice with paint, but if some remains, it could add textural interest to the painting. We'll see...
In the afternoon after critiques, everyone who stays will be experimenting with the fluid acrylics on YUPO using lots of fun tools. YUPO and fluid acrylics are presently my favorites for creating paintings.
There are two large 26x40" YUPO/Fluid Acrylic paintings in progress in my studio right now, which is unusual for me. Normally I must finish one painting before ever starting another. However, for some reason (unknown to me,) I have 9 different paintings, all works in progress, laying around in the studio. How did that happen? It actually seems like a lot of fun to have so many possibilities to choose from each day. And it's sure keeping me busy and, somehow, staying focused hasn't been a bit of a problem!
Sunday while I was painting, we enjoyed the treat of seeing some wonderful feathered visitors up close. Betsy, Marianne, and I saw not just one, but THREE pileated woodpeckers outside the studio on or perched near the suet feeders at the same time. Incredible for such a shy bird! They are marked so beautifully, and they are SO big. It looked like Mama. Papa, and Baby... though baby was nearly as big as Mama. Wish everyone could have seen them.
Watch for the finished painting soon, along with the other nine eventually, I hope.
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10 comments:
Oh! how I wish I could be there Sandy. I am sure your reference to fluid acrylics is the same as my acrylic inks and I had such fun using them on YUPO when Anita was here. I'm actually currently having them framed up for an exhibition because I was so pleased with the ones with figures. You are a glutten for punishment with 9 half (?) done works awaiting completion. So much for your admiring public to look forward to. Enjoy the demo as I know the 'audience' will.
What a fun post with lots to comment on!
I draw on my canvas with w/c pencils and then paint over in acrylic. It is a great way to have a more or less detailed drawing which can be washed away to correct or painted over for the final. Love that tool!
Your workshopdemo sounds such fun. I know it will go well.
The hugest of the woodpeckers are my favorites. They are shy and hard to spot, but so stunning when they deign to show themselves. Lucky you!
Looks fab!
Sandy - Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. Have fun - I am still surprised that I spent 31 years in Cincinnati & didn't even know anything about art!
Can't wait to see the results--this is fabulous! I enjoyed hearing what you're going to do. I'll bet it will be beautiful. As for the 3 pileated woodpeckers--lucky you! My sister and brother-in-law have one that visits their back yard, but that's the only one I've ever seen in person. They're fascinating birds, aren't they!
Sandy,
Thank you for sharing the idea of using wc pencils to draw on the yupo.
Nine paintings on the go...I am so glad to hear that: your faithful blog followers are in for 9 rich experiences, I'm sure.
All the best for tomorrow. Your participants are in for a treat, the lucky guys!
I like the negative areas depicting the bridge. I'll be back to check out the finish.
I certainly hope you plan to post your results of this demo on this blog - would love to see every step - step by step, if possible. How lucky they are to see this demo.
Thanks everyone, for your encouragement. the demo went really well and I'll post the demo painting soon, then make adjustments to it later in the studio and repost. Happy painting!
That's a fabulous value drawing and batik is one of my favorite arts. I would love to do that class you teach.
Check out Monique Straub's blog. Her work in pastel looks like batik. It's amazing!!
I enjoy your blog and am glad I stopped by again.
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