Sunday, October 6, 2013

THE AMAZINGLY VERSATILE TYVEK!

TYVEK STENCIL
I discovered through some meanderings on the web, that TYVEK is a good stencil material.  The timing was perfect for my next painting.  I have been struggling with creating a portrait with just a few simple shapes, so I created a NOTAN (black/white) image from a photograph I took with my iPad by running it through a filter in Photoshop Elements.  It is important that the shapes be interesting.  Since I was going to create a stencil, either the positive or the negative needed to be linked so the piece would hold together.  Most stencil material is not very large, so this was an exciting discovery.  I created a simple grid so I could enlarge the image and drew it with a watercolor crayon.  I could easily make changes and corrections by wetting and rubbing out the mistake.  I used a Darice Ultimate Crafting Tool that has 8 metal tips, one of which is for stencil cutting and has a very fine point with a bent tip making it very easy to see what you are doing.  I had a heat proof sheet underneath the TYVEK to protect the support surface.  It was like cutting butter with a hot knife!  If you want to make smaller stencils, you can get free TYVEK envelopes at the Post Office.
GESSO SCRAPED THROUGH THE TYVEK STENCIL
The next step was to scrape gesso through the stencil which had been placed over a failed painting I had worked on YUPO.  I used a lace doily to texture the gesso.  When the gesso had totally dried, I started painting with Dr. Ph Martin's Spectralite Acrylics.  

                                       
At this stage I discovered the shadow side of the head was not quite right but not much could be done about that!  Working on YUPO created some interesting challenges and effects.  Here is the final result.  I may tweak it a little more tomorrow, but basically, I am ready for the next challenge.
TYVEK PORTRAIT FINISHED!

8 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

I think the stencil you made is an artwork in itself, Myrna. I love how it came out. Then your final piece is fabulous too.

Joyfulartist said...

I was just thinking a day or so ago that you had abandoned tyvek and there you are making beautiful art with it again. Make friends with a building contractor and you can get leftover rolls of the stuff.

Myrna Wacknov said...

The texture on the TYVEK that is used on buildings is different. I prefer the surface I work with. I have a supply for now but can order a reasonable amount at allweataherblueprints.com.

alteredstatesstudio said...

Love your stencil Myrna! I liked seeing the progression on your yupo.... Definitely adds another variable. May have to give this a whirl....

Anonymous said...

I teach art and have a lot of tyvek on had. I'm wondering how you anchored the tyvek down while you applied the gesso.

Myrna Wacknov said...

Hi Ruth. I just held it in place with my hand. You could use removable spray adhesive or rubber cement on the back. The rubber cement would come right off and not damage the paper. Let me know how your project comes out.

Meera Rao said...

Wow --love the texture, the color and the shapes :) thanks for the explanation -- wonderful painting in the end -- can't wait to see how you will 'tweek' it!

artisoo said...

cool portrait!! nice job!

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