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Friday, May 13, 2011

WIN SOME AND LOSE SOME!

I was looking at my collection of Splash Books in anticipation of a new one coming out.  Splash 2 had breakthroughs, and I came across the idea of working on a very smooth surface of sanded gesso.  I realized I always textured the hell out of the gesso and never made it super smooth.  I decided I wanted to try working on that surface, for a change.  My first effort resulted in an overworked image.  It was fun to lift out and repaint over and over but eventually it just looked tired and overworked.  I decided to start again and I was determined to keep the reworking to a minimum.  I am happy with this result.  I used a large squirrel brush with my favorite, Dr. Ph Martin's Hydrus liquid watercolor.  I always wanted to be able to paint steam or smoke like Mary Whyte.  This surface worked very well .  I don't know how Mary does it, but this comes pretty close, visually.

Now for the "Lose Some".  So far I have made a mess of my correction on the previous posted painting.....but I haven't given up.  I still hope to pull it out of the fire.  I will post my ultimate solution, good or bad, when I am satisfied or just give up!  Stay tuned!

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23 comments:

  1. SandrineMay 13, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Great painting ! Amazing colors and textures.
    Perhaps to be able to make such wonderful works of art you need to loose a few ones on the way :-)

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  2. Myrna WacknovMay 13, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Hi Sandrine,
    Thanks for the comment. Boy, you are fast!!! I just posted this painting a few minutes ago.

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  3. Diana MarshallMay 13, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    This is stunning, glad that you persevered. The painting has a wonderful feeling to it.

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  4. Myrna WacknovMay 13, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Thank you, Diana, for the nice words.

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  5. Autumn LeavesMay 14, 2011 at 3:20 AM

    Absolutely awesome painting, Myrna.

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  6. SadamiMay 14, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Dear Myrna,
    Always your challenging spirit brings amazing works. I love smoke in this painting. Thank you.
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  7. Sherry Pierce ThurnerMay 14, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Brava! I like the saturated color and the effect of cigarette smoke very much.

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  8. Myrna WacknovMay 14, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Autumn, I see you are working on a gessoed surface, also. Glad you like this one.

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  9. Myrna WacknovMay 14, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Hi Sadami, a lovely comment from a fellow portrait enthusiast. I love your fresh watercolor sketches.

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  10. Myrna WacknovMay 14, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Hi Sherry, Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to see what you do at that Plein Air event next month.

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  11. Jo MurrayMay 14, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    This is a lovely painting. As for the lost one... where did I hear "there are no bad paintings... only unfinished ones" ?

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  12. lifeartistMay 14, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Yep, this is a winner. That gessoed surface is perfect for the smoke effect. As for the possible loser: it's a learning experience.

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  13. Myrna WacknovMay 14, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Hi Jo, Thank you for the comment from one art book lover to another!

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  14. Myrna WacknovMay 14, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Hi Davida, Thanks for checking in. I follow your progress regularly.

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  15. JANE MINTERMay 14, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Myrna this portrait really caught my eye in the thumbnail.... i'm not familiar with the techniques you've used . ...re your mist comment discovered "Working South Today" by Mary Whyte so thankyou ...,glad to have found your new blog limb to limb too ..stop here ..so inspiring
    jane

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  16. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    You managed to capture a lot of emotion in this one. Great job!

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  17. Myrna WacknovMay 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Hi Tim, how nice that you are following this blog. Good luck with your film. The setting reminds me of a 1988 film "Bagdad Cafe" which I loved. Check it out if you are not familiar with it. Older than you!!!

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  18. Carol NelsonMay 21, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    The creativity never stops. Myrna, you are an inspiration to us all.

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  19. Myrna WacknovMay 21, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Thanks, Carol. A special compliment from a very creative artist!

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  20. UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    This is stunning! I love it ! Precise and loose, what feelings, what atmosphere !

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  21. Annaquarel.lesJune 19, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Gorgeous painting, Myrna. It immediately drew my attention like a magnet. The effect of cigarette smoke is excellent.
    You often talk about gessoed surface, so I wanted to ask you what kind of surface you use. Could it work on Arches watercolour paper 140 lb?
    Is it a special gesso you use?

    By the way, I am subscribed to 'L'Aquarelle' and was glad to find an article on your artwork. Congratulations!

    Love 'Bagdad Café's' soundtrack ;-)

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  22. Myrna WacknovJune 19, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Hi Annaquarel, Any watercolor paper can be gessoed. In fact, it is a god thing to do to cheap WC paper. I use thick gesso form texture and sandable gessomforma smooth surface. Bagdad Cafe sound track is very haunting and a favorite of mine, too.

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  23. Annaquarel.lesJune 19, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Thank you, Myrna.

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