Welcome to members of the Creative Discoveries Hub!
I hope you enjoy this issue, if you have any comments or questions please feel free to add them at the bottom. Welcome and enjoy!
Contents:
1.0 Art Club Abstract Exercise
2.0 Book of the week:
3.0 Eternal Existence:
4.0 Product Pre-Release
5.0 Q&A How should I care for an acrylic painting created on watercolour paper?
6.0 If I Were Water What Would I Be?
1.0 Art Club Abstract Exercise
At the art club this last two weeks we followed an exercise for the creation of a pure abstract. The principles and steps involved are. 1. Start with no pre-conceived idea of what you are going to create. 2. Carry out a sequence of steps using various media restricting the colours chosen to two and number of steps in line with the instructions. 3. Rotate the artwork 90 degrees after completing a few defined steps. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the artwork is back to its starting orientation. 5. Step back from the artwork and assess the tonal values, is it predominantly light, dark or neutral, what additional value would it benefit from and where would you add it to enhance the composition. Is there a specific colour with the tonal value considered above that can be used to give the painting the final flourish.
Below here are my two attempts:
Week 1 Purple and Green
Week 2 Spring Wood
2.0 Book of the Week: Impressionist Painting For The Landscape
by George Gallo and Cindy Salaski.
Do you like thick impasto oil paint applied directly, impressionistically and in full colour. This book could be for you. Here is a bonus, hopefully still available via You Tube or on the net somewhere, a great film called “Local Colour” I will let you discover why this film is linked to the book. Both are great resources and I am proud to own the book. It covers all the bases for beginner to experienced artists alike. There are some real gem learning nuggets in this book discussing brushwork referring to the past masters and demonstrating with great visual colourful plates. I would love to see one of Georges painting in life as it suspect the experience would be life changing.
Check out these links for more information. I do not get any commission from these links, I only suggest this book as it truly is great in my humble opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYuCeA1lIjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvwVe7vExHk
3.0 Eternal Existence!
There are so many possible concepts that potentially represent eternal existence and support the idea that it can be daunting to focus on just one aspect in a painting. There are many natural cycles of nature that suggest a continual cycle of existence that choosing one is impossible. The painting below “Lost and Found” started life as an abstract exercise using various techniques that would represent the textures of sea and snow. I used a number of techniques including wet into wet with inks and acrylic combined with spray paints and cling film that created the water and ocean texture. When all this was dry it was sealed prior to adding some oil paints in judicious locations to add depth. Finally oil paint was spattered using a stiff brush to simulate the snow fall. The seabird was added prior to the last layers of snow spray.
The painting represents the ideas of change, evolution and completion of a cycle. The cycle is that of water having originated from the sea, once again returning home so to speak, in this case as snow fall. The transformational change here is the solid of snow and ice returning back to water. In its journey it will have collected many microscopic nutrients and minerals, and may well be energised in ways we have no ideas. Nature always has a purpose and the water cycle has many we are aware of and I suspect many we do not.
5.0 Product Pre – Release: Lost and Found
This painting represents the idea of natural cycles, change and completion.
The image shows a seabird skimming the water in a snowstorm, potentially lost but found in its own reflection. The snow falling is the end of the cycle where it transforms back into the ocean, perhaps the snow is lost, yet returning home to complete its cycle. What energetic life forces will it bring back to the ocean?
4.0 Q&A
Q: How should I care for an acrylic painting created on watercolour paper?
A: Preserving a painting on watercolour paper created with acrylic paints requires careful handling and storage to ensure its longevity.
Allow Adequate Drying Time:
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Acrylic paint dries relatively quickly, but giving it a few days or even weeks to fully cure will help prevent damage caused by moulds or fungi.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
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UV rays from sunlight can cause fading and deterioration of the colours. UV-resistant glass will help resist fading when the painting is framed.
Protect From Humidity:
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High humidity can lead to mould, warping, or other damage. Store the painting in a dry, cool place with consistent humidity levels. Avoid basements, attics, and areas prone to extreme temperature changes.
Handle With Care:
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Always handle the painting with clean cotton gloves to prevent transferring dirt, oils, or other contaminants to the surface. If necessary only handle the edges when touching the painting without gloved or protected hands.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures:
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Extreme temperatures can cause the paint to crack or peel. Keep the painting in a climate-controlled environment, avoiding places with significant temperature fluctuations. This is especially true for painting that are created using thick paint applications.
Use Proper Framing Materials:
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If you decide to frame the painting, use acid-free matting and backing materials. Ensure that the framing is done to profession standards to provide adequate support and protection. The rear of the frame should be sealed from the environment.
Protect From Dust:
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Assuming the painting has not been framed, ensure the painting is enclosed in a dust free protector. Dust may accumulate on the surface of a painting over time. To clean the painting, use a soft, clean brush or a gentle air blower to remove any loose dust. Avoid using cleaning solutions unless absolutely necessary, and test them in a small, inconspicuous area first. This applies to acrylic paintings only, do not be tempted to clean a watercolour painting with any solution as the painting can easily be damaged or destroyed.
Avoid Touching the Surface
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Minimize direct contact with the painted surface to prevent smudging or damage. If you need to transport or handle the painting, place a clean, acid-free barrier between your hands and the artwork. Your hands can transfer oils to paintings that may cause damage over time.
Store Properly:
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If you need to store the painting, lay it flat in a protective sleeve or cover it with Glassine paper. Ensure that the storage area is dry, cool, and free from pests. Glassine is a smooth and glossy paper that is air, water and grease resistant, it is recommended for protecting the surface of stored acrylic paintings.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the long-term preservation of your acrylic painting on watercolour paper. If you have any specific concerns or questions, by all means make a comment below.
6.0 “If I were Water What would I Be?” 1
If I were water what would I be?
Snow Falling
That’s what I’d be!
If I were water what would I be?
Lost in an ocean
That’s what I’d be!
If I were water what would I be?
The Ocean Great
That’s what I’d be!
If I were water what would I be?
Gas rising, steam, fog, cloud
That’s what I’d be!
If I were water what would I be?
Water falling
Eternally Transforming
That’s what I’d be!
Over a few years I have written lines to the above title defining all the stages of change water takes from the point of rising from the sea, rivers or land and its eventual return. It is an interesting exercise and challenge as there are so many paths water can take, so many forms it can change into, and many descriptive words can be used to evoke this eternal evolving natural cycle.
I would love it if you have a go yourself and share your idea here. I look forward to seeing and sharing your prose. Thank You!
Warm Regards,
Pete
www.petermspencer.com