Things to try with bad paper
No, this isn’t a self-portrait either. It’s a page I did yesterday in my workbook, trying to find a way to “rescue” the bad paper as I finished it off. I was considering painting it with white acrylic as a ground, and then I thought of painting it with gesso instead. After that I did a quick watercolor sketch on top of it, just to see how the paint interacted. It was quite instructive, and gave me some ideas for applying gesso to paper before watercoloring - it definitely creates a different “watery” effect. Do you keep workbooks to work out solutions to creative problems, to test paints and to plan out designs for the things you make? If so, you might be interested in a new online group. Write and tell me what you do in your art workbook ..
I lost Lin’s comment trying to edit the main page, but thanks Lin, for your kind remark (sorry!)
Karen, it’s so nice to see all that you’re doing this year! I sense so much energy and momentum in you. 2006 seems to be full of action for
a l o t of us, doesn’t it? Yay!
Beautiful! Are all those layered stains that make it so much interesting than any softened technique.
Karen- this looks so great! I haven’t tried watercolor on top of gesso - but having seen this, I may have to! I really like the watery effect - kind of like viewing someone through a window in a rainstorm.
I’m keeping a art journal where I try different tecniqes all the time, maybe you could also call it workbook?!
I love trying new things, but watercolour on gesso doesn’t work very well when I’ve tried it. Your drawing looks great thoguh!
Hi Karen, sorry about the confusion…
) Yes, I see what you mean about the watery effect. I like it though. Definitely worth experimenting more with gesso to see what you can do.
Karen, did you know that Golden makes an absorbant ground gesso specifically for watercolor? I just bought some and it is wonderful!