Follow up to color please

A few weeks ago I post the blog “More Color Please”, where I start 3 painting using color swirls and drips.  Two painting turned out just right, the 3^rd was lacking something.  After letting it sit for awhile I decided to attack it with a fresh start.  The painting was interesting but to me just look too swirly (is that a word?).  So I had 2 choices, one gesso over and start fresh, or readdress the painting as it was. 
   I decided it needed some geometry to break up the curves, so I used folded newspaper and planned where square and rectangles would go.  Once I found a lay-out I liked, I taped the outlines, and rubbed opaque paint in those areas, while it was wet scraped in some designs.  After that dried I added some direction lines, and then glazed over some of the boxy areas to change the tone. 

   This one is now pleasing to me and was saved from the gesso….

(Never give in, never give up…think I heard that in some movie)

This is where I stopped, when working on the 3.

 

 

paper shapes for planning some geometry

  the newspaper works well, because it is neutral in contrast to all the color in the painting.

   pressed the tape down smooth for good lines

paint on and tape off

   

 

finished and happy now

almost there...

close up of scrapping into the wet paint

My Clean up turned into ink

Clean up…almost

Well at least I attempted to clean up the work area today.  Paint brushes stacked, paper sorted, then on to notebooks.  The notebooks got me.  You know how it is, you sit down for just a minute to take a look at those old sketches and 3 hours later a whole new project is in process. 

   Found a sketch book, I took to the art museum last summer, and in it were really rough sketches of some old clay statues.  Yes I carry sketch books with me especially for visiting museums. In the book I had drawings of two very odd looking dogs, that were re-sparked my interest.  My brushes were all neatly put away, and paints sorted and put up, BUT   the ink markers were still loose and just daring me to get into them.

    So I used the images from the old sketches and lost the rest of the afternoon to art.

When I teach classes, I tell my students to save any drawings that look interesting even though they maybe rough or un-finished, because you never know when they will serve as inspiration, or at least stop you from over cleaning your studio.

 

 

 

the page from my notebook

 

In paint black paint marker on watercolor paper

Did the basic out line in an orange watercolor marker (love starting any art work with orange) then finished with black marker

Two more sketches to work up with ink....I will never get my studio clean....(like I care)

Color Please

I love doing this style of abstract painting; it is like putting a puzzle together.

This can be done in watercolor or acrylic.  If you use acrylic, fluid acrylics work the best.

The trick is to let the colors flow and blend on the paper or board (I am using Aqua boards in the examples. Blowing on the colors will help direct drips and runs.  But the key to making it work is to really plan your color choices first and then stick to them.  The main colors; magenta, crimson red, viridian green, Quinacridone gold, (golden fluid acrylics) teal and Indian red ink.  The first time you do this try using just 3 colors.  Limiting the colors will help prevent ending up with a puzzle in shade of mud.  Wet your paper or board in random areas, then drop colors in not letting them touch until you tilt and move the paper.  When you get some interesting colors and drips set it aside and let it dry.  There should be distinct colors, blended colors, and plenty of white spots in random shapes with a far amount of drips. I also just use one large flat brush and a disposable pipette, because at this point I want the picture to paint it’s self in the water.

   After it is dry, start painting in colors, mixing some neutral colors from the ones you started with adding white or black to create light and dark neutrals.  Let that dry completely.

     The last step is to add some detail, I use paint markers.  Also, Working on more than one at a time, help pass the time as each one is drying.

my tools that start the painting.

randomly wet areas

the first drops of colors, I usually start with just 2 colors.

one more color and some more swirling.

My colors choices, for the 3 boards I will work up.

drops and swirls

more drops

more drips

Starting to add more color

the three mid way thru

 

 

 

One done 2 more to go.

An example in watercolor and ink

Slide shows

Found a site,  TripAdvisor TripWow, that you can down load photos to to create a slide show.  It is a fun way to show of art work even though it was set up for travel photos.  Just another way to use the digital shots that are saved on the home PC.  You can check mine out at the link below:  

Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow

Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.


  May have to do one of my garden next time.

From one to five....

You just start somewhere and keep going….

Do you need some more ways to get your paint brush moving?

     Ok here you go.  Find an interesting photo with a lot of subjects in it and good gray scale ranges.  Then make yourself a view finder, by either cutting a square or rectangle in the middle of a paper, or find an old slide that you don’t care for the photo in it and take it out.  I like to paint my view finder light gray so it does not distract from the image. 

    Now move your view finder over the photo and find a section that looks interesting, and work up a sketch or painting of it.  Next; take that painting or sketch and do four more, correcting or changing characteristics.  At some point the idea will continue to grow and you will have some unique works of art.

1. The reference photo from a magazine...

 2. The section I picked...

 3.  First try...

 4. A little color...

 5.  Another try...

 6. Starting to get a life of its own....

 7.  Where it ended up

Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow

Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow: "TEST TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ Original Paintings Michigan Artist Www.mbschiros.artspan.com Slideshow ★ to Flint. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor"