EVOLUTION!

EVOLUTION

This is how the painting finished up.  It started out like this

Evolution stage 1

This is acrylic on YUPO.  It might be a finished painting, but it doesn't really speak to me but so much fun exploring with paint.  My idea was to add an image on top.

Evolution stage 2

I made a drawing on parchment paper and then created a continuous line mask with a glue gun.  Laid it down and brayered acrylic over it.  Interesting idea but it has problems.  

Evolution stage 3

Added some collaged papers Starting to look interesting but problems with the white streak on the right side of the face, lost the lines of the fingers.  I laid the glue mask back down and attempted to add more paint.   Messed it up big time. 

Evolution stage 3

I covered over the mess up face with more collage paper.  As I was looking at it, I realized the dark shape in the middle was perfect for a head, so I looked through my photos and found the perfect image!

This is a photo of my son, Bill, taken while we were on Skype.  I just photographed the screen! He thought I was....well, you know,

Evolution line drawing from app TRACE

This is a cool line drawing I created from the above photo with the digital app TRACE.   

Evolution stage 4

I used a sanguine red conte crayon to draw the lines onto the painting so I could wipe away mistakes with a damp paper towel.  Then I used an eye dropper with black acrylic ink and drew over the lines. 

Evolution stage 5 FINISHED

Using the new Golden High Flow Acrylics, I added some color here and there.  These new acrylics are so transparent, they work beautifully as glazes.  I didn't want to loose the patterns of the collage papers or the ink lines.

I can't wait to try this technique again.   

I can't wait to teach this process in my new workshop Texture and Self Portraiture in the Digital Age!