Today’s watercolor experiment:
I had nothing in mind to paint today. When that happens, I get my inspiration by just getting started. Sometimes I do this by dipping my brush in a color that suits my fancy and stroking it across the paper. Perhaps the color or the shape of the stroke will inspire my next step.
Today I used latex resist as my starting point. Instead of dripping it from a great height and risk splashing, I poured it close to the paper and tilted the paper this way and that, to steer the liquid into a pleasing pattern, before I let it dry.
Then I started by applying terra verte. This particular color, or at least the brand I have in my paintbox (Winsor Newton), requires quite a bit of pigment to render any color at all. It is very light. I used granular paints, Moonglow (Daniel Smith) and burnt sienna for the background, applying quite a bit of pigment and water so that they would stream over the latex resist. I also used a bit of cobalt turquoise in the mix. I used English yellow very carefully in the lower portion of the composition so that the delicate drip traces would not be disturbed.
In contrast to the drippy earth tones, I wanted to use solid colors for the white spaces created when I removed the latex.
I applied calligraphy inks and Winsor Newton inks with a brush, to the white pattern.
Comment:
I would have liked a bit more contrast between the bold inked areas and the softer earth tones, but I do like this composition the way it turned out. Perhaps in a future experiment, more intricacy in the white areas (with an ink pen?) would add the contrast lacking in this composition.
I like your amalgamation of colors. Very nice work indeed.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment.
j
I love the explanation of each step, and you use beautiful colors. Very nice work.
Thank you for your comment. Sometimes the experiments work out.
best,
j
Your abstracts are becoming eve more interesting, Jack. I’d have to say that ‘Stage 1’ appeals to me the most!
Hahaha… another case of ‘should have quit whilst I was ahead’? I often think that, Sarah. At least I have a photo of it even if it no longer exists in real life. It would be interesting to preserve a still-latex-coated paper as a final piece, observing how it changes with time… but that is whole different story. Thank you so much for your observation and comment!
best,
jack
Tell me about it – even though digital art allows me to back in stages, it’s never quite the same!
your work always catches my eye, heartfelt and warm, with integrity 🙂
Thank you so much, Liz. I’m honored. I love your work.
Best,
Jack
Reblogged this on froythoughts and commented:
just like the idea and the relativity of it