Sunday, June 10, 2012

Austin Summer Blues; Under-Paintings; Grey Abandon 2



I started some paintings last week.

First, Austin Summer Blues.  Oil over acrylic on 30" x 40" canvas.

Painted from memory and imagination.

I tried to paint this entirely in acrylic, but I missed the sensuous feel and look of oil paint, so I painting over the base of acrylic with oils.

I don't know if it is done.  I'm going to let it sit awhile and then re-assess.


Next, Under-Paintings, two canvases, waiting for additional work.

I like to make my under-painting interesting.  It gives me something to paint in reference to, that I can work into my final composition to a greater or lesser degree.


Finally, Grey Abandon 2, a digital version of Grey Abandon  (8" x 8" total, with image at 6" x  6"):
Grey Abandon 2 


NATURE WATCH: 

Three dears at rest.

15 comments:

  1. You have been busy. I know what you mean about missing the smear of oils; that was my problem with Rain after getting reacquainted with oils through those portraits and loving the luxury of the smear. A spray bottle sometimes gives you what you want from acrylics, but you have to paint on a surface level with the ground and you have to work fast. Fingers and palms are good too.

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  2. Thank you, Evelin. I'm still working on it, by leaving it alone for a bit, so I can decide what it needs.

    Thanks, Linda.

    I've tried all the tricks and they work for the smear but they don't supply the sensuous fat content.

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  3. Ciao Jane,
    I tried to understand your problem (I
    painted on oil, but not for a long time) but with aquarell the problems are others...
    I find Austin estate nude surreale and I like it!
    Ciao, ciao, Floriana

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  4. Thanks, Floriana. Very surreal.

    There is no problem with the oil. I just was saying I like the feel of it better than acrylic.

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  5. It's interesting to read about how the tactile sensation of the paint influences your choices. I'd love to hear more abut that.

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  6. I do like the colors and the feel of the brush strokes in these.. It is hard to decide when to stop and when to go on.

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  7. Margaret, it's kind of like you and bacon. I think oil paint, with its high fat content, improves most everything.

    Thanks, Anthony. It sure is. I just have to be bold enough to mess up the parts I love to make a better whole.

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  8. I'm working with acrylic at present. Unfortunately I can't seem to adapt to a way of using them that I feel confident in. I keep returning to the way I worked in oils (layers of glaze, except thin to thick.

    Mr V aquired, later in life, sensitivities to solvents. He worked in Venice creating those giant fiber glass Lumber Jacks, cows etc, which might be the cause. Goes mad when I try to sneak oils past him.

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  9. PA, acrylics can cause bad reactions in sensitive people too, when they are curing. (Can take weeks.) Oils are actually better--if you don't use paint solvents at all.

    Good luck. I'm betting you'll figure out a method with acrylic that you like. But it'll never be the same as oils. (Kind of like the analog/digital divide in records.)

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  10. I LOVE Austin Summer Blues - so much depth!

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  11. Thank you, minnemie.

    In person, it is beautiful to me.

    I will likely let it dry and then glaze parts of it for added depth. But for now, I am leaving it alone, so I can get some perspective.

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  12. That meaty haunch and the deep blue [sea]...

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  13. Thanks, Paula. The painting has definitely turned into something compelling to me.

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  14. Love the brightness in the top two! Yes, very summery.

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  15. Thanks, Banjo. I've done some more painting on Austin Summer Blues. If the quality of the daylight is okay today, I'll photograph and post it.

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