In a need to do something more textural with my acrylics, I decided one day to add a little joint compound to my canvas. About 6 months later, and I am still enjoying this new technique. So here's the nitty gritty if you are wanting to add a little texture to your paintings. First, purchase a thin board and some joint compound from your hardware store. I use birch mostly. I've done this technique as large as 24" x 24", but smaller tends to be more manageable. Plan your design ahead of time so you can transfer the image in a timely manner.
1. Apply a thin layer of joint compound to your wood. Let this dry until you can carve into the compound without it being mushy. I use my dry point needle from printmaking days, but you can also use a sharpened pencil. Wipe the tip of your tool between each stroke to get a clean line.
2. Let dry overnight.
3. Use your pencil tip to clean out the etched lines and use a paper towel to wipe the rough edges away.
4. Paint using acrylics, at least that's what I use. The compound is super absorbent, so I really prefer my cheap acrylics from Michael's, you know the Apple Barrell kind.
5. Using a natural bristle brush, encaustic oil sticks, canola oil and a bit of patience, fill all the lines with color. I use R&F Pigment sticks because they apply very smoothly. It looks scary doesn't it? Covering all that painting, yikes!
6. Once all the stick is applied, begin rubbing lightly with a paper towel. You will also need to dab the paper towel in canola oil top really remove reside. Canola oil is your friend during this stage.
7. I use a ton of Canola Oil and even more paper towels.
8. Lastly, I use my Sennelier oil sticks to bring out the textured lines.
The finished product is always richly textured. I just love working with this medium! It has an almost encaustic appeal. I do like to paint in encaustic, but this gives me the texture I want and more control over the paint pigments. Now you try!
There are 20- 3" paintings on the desk right now, a puppy curled behind me snoring, a space heater keeping my 10 toes toasty, and a new i-pod drowning out the outside world noise. I find it harder to paint small. But, the show is called "Micro Love" for a reason! It's gotta be mirco art. So back to the brush and music I go.....Marie Digby and I have really gotten to know one another today. Hope you have a creative New Year's Day!
Of course, little collage birds made their way into the compositions. I love the way they look all together. Although I see that my birds always face the left....hum......
This is called, "On the Edge of Something New." Below is, "A Modern Day."
Well, back to the glitter I go. This was a very nice break, getting back to the brush. The other day at the gym a friend said, "Man Jenni you are actually sweating! (I don't sweat you see, weird I know.). But upon a closer look at my brow she laughed and exclaimed,"Jenni, you have a head full of glitter!" Oh what a sparkly Christmas booth I am going to have this weekend at Marist!! Just you wait and see.
5. Using a natural bristle brush, encaustic oil sticks, canola oil and a bit of patience, fill all the lines with color. I use R&F Pigment sticks because they apply very smoothly. It looks scary doesn't it? Covering all that painting, yikes!
6. Once all the stick is applied, begin rubbing lightly with a paper towel. You will also need to dab the paper towel in canola oil top really remove reside. Canola oil is your friend during this stage.
7. I use a ton of Canola Oil and even more paper towels.
8. Lastly, I use my Sennelier oil sticks to bring out the textured lines.
The finished product is always richly textured. I just love working with this medium! It has an almost encaustic appeal. I do like to paint in encaustic, but this gives me the texture I want and more control over the paint pigments. Now you try!
I just love Creative Thursday's little mini paintings, I even bought one recently! It makes me so happy seeing Teddy sitting on the flat file to my right. So I thought I'd give these little guys a whirl. First, let me say, that they take longer than one might think, even though the one above is only 3 1/2" x 8" and below is 3 1/2 x 3 3/4". You probably thought at first glance that I just whipped it out. In fact, the smaller one I had to keep re-painting the composition to get it just right. And I am also thinking my favorite green brush is going to have to be replaced with a much smaller green brush! I had Lowe's cut me a dozen though, so I have plenty to practice! These are off to Naked Art Gallery next week. Vero said it's time to send more her way!
"3 Friends in Bottles"
