In case I didn't state it in my last post on this new painting, I'm still thinking g of making this mostly monochromatic... mostly meaning it will be deeply layered overweigh greys and whites... we shall see if I change my mind, but for now, I started as I intended ... with some undercoats of colour. … Continue reading Sawsan’s New Elephant – baby steps
A New Project – Abstract, Cubism, Neo-Expressionism, or something more?
If you've read the last two posts, you know I've decided to do multiple works at the same time, in order to slow down my process and to incorporate more reflection into it. I hope that working in multiple styles and with multiple techniques / materials I will also stave off those moments of self-doubt … Continue reading A New Project – Abstract, Cubism, Neo-Expressionism, or something more?
A New Project – Sawsan’s Elephants
A few years ago I painted an elephant for my wife, Sawsan. It's her favourite painting. It forced me out of my comfort zone to paint in that style and I've wanted to return to it ever since... plans for finishing a teaching degree, relocation to another country, selling house, moving around, and finally settling … Continue reading A New Project – Sawsan’s Elephants
No Regrets – Stepping Forward on Blank Canvas
Yesterday, I posted about the bittersweet nature of this past year. I had intended to talk about letting go of old work I don't like anymore and using those canvases to try something new. The idea came from an Instagram post reminding me that my undo-redo shortcut (Ctrl-Z), in regard to my painting is my … Continue reading No Regrets – Stepping Forward on Blank Canvas
Painting out an Inspiration – T’Hed: Pencil outline
This past week I decided it was time... let me rephrase that; I decided I needed to start making some art and the T'Hed project needed to get started. In my mind, I'm still experimenting with materials and design, so I am allowing myself to to take impulsive risks and then change them as I … Continue reading Painting out an Inspiration – T’Hed: Pencil outline
Working out an Inspiration – T’Hed Nine
See T'Hed Eight for previous progressions... Where am I in this one? A dark mood emerging, resolute to move forward with this project... sounds good to me. I used the slate grey paper with gouache on top... I blended the base colours with white to give them more depth and volume. I can't decide if … Continue reading Working out an Inspiration – T’Hed Nine
Working out an Inspiration – T’Hed Eight
See T'Hed Seven for previous progressions... Staring at some slate grey drawing paper I was sure I'd like to use the charcoals again, but I needed something different... some other texture to play with. I decided on gouache. I started with painting in the gouache background... unblended and straight pigments. I really love how this … Continue reading Working out an Inspiration – T’Hed Eight
Working Out an Inspiration – T’Hed Three
See T'Hed Two for earlier explorations... I wanted to play with colour a little more, but mainly I wanted to see what oil pastels might achieve. I apply several colours onto the paper then use a smudge stick to blend it. I'm not crazy for the results this time... maybe it's because I got more … Continue reading Working Out an Inspiration – T’Hed Three
Working Out an Inspiration – T’Hed Two
See T'Hed One for earlier steps... This second sketch started with gauche on watercolour paper. I added medium charcoal as an outline and texture. The gouache I have are all primary colours and I mix them right on the pigment pucks. I paint wet on wet and let the pigments bleed as they want. It … Continue reading Working Out an Inspiration – T’Hed Two
Pablo Picasso isn’t an Asshole – A Few Finishing Touches.
Another surprising realization in my process and I feel a great relief for realizing it: I will probably never be certain if a piece is completely finished, much less be rid of the feeling that I might need to put more on it, but I now understand what I've read in other artists processes... you … Continue reading Pablo Picasso isn’t an Asshole – A Few Finishing Touches.
The New Renaissance Mindset 