‘Painting’

okay, I know I missed letter I out, but in conversation with Oz, despite pronunciation differences here’s an artist beginning with I………

Finally, managed to spend some time on a painting that I’ve been working on. Its taken several transformations along the way, and has in some way reverted back to earlier work; although I don’t feel that it has been a backward step – revisiting past ways of working and colours has taken me forward; in more recent paintings I have felt that some element for me has been missing. Going back to under painting and building up layers and creating slight surface textures is something I like to do and in this painting I feel that some of that has returned.
New work in the just three words series will have elements of this and each painting, although basically the same dimensions will develop differently in terms of materials and styles – its a challenge I am looking forward to.
The other series I am undertaking is one which hopefully will let me explore a different way of working, using many different materials – ones which I am not familiar with and in some cases have no skills in eg creating neon lighting! More on this series as it develops.
At present I have not got a title for the painting… one thought was ‘not jimi’ (as in Hendrix) which came about in a conversation with Oz one evening!
Still thinking.

Having been unable to spend time painting recently, managed to get back on task and complete the first of this series. Purchased 25 canvasses yesterday and have been priming them in readiness!

ummed and arred about colour choice, sat in lounge and looked at Red Indian hanging on wall

I remember the time spent on this painting and it is still one of my favourites. The surface created by underpainting and applying several layers creates great depth (not visible in photo – as per usual!!!). The red used was one I mixed up some time ago, and as usual I store paint in old coffee jars, alas, it had become sticky and unusable. So I spent time mixing up another batch, the aim was to get close, which I managed. I have now applied the first red layer and have made some changes by adding more cadmium red to add a lighter hue/tone, I will see if this has been effective when next layer applied.
again – photo quality is poor……

since last postings managed to get an hour in the studio and go mad with brush and paint, managed to turn around ‘grin smile laugh’ almost to original starting point, happy with the use of white instead of the dark blue (although photo image looked brown – I am crap at photography, should get Rhysbaker to do the photography thing for me!

couple more layers of white me thinks. Still unsure about red lettering – do I keep red, if so, lighten/keep the same or darken? do I go back to the original white as intended – a lot more work and thinking, further updates tomorrow

Just managed to get on with some painting after day of looking after JJ
Had a re-think about current three little words – ‘grin smile laugh’ – decided to get back and work the background with white. Standing back, I’m happy with the first layer, it will need a couple more to cover the dark blue last painted. the element that I am really chuffed with is when you look closely you can see the under painting – in certain areas the reds and different blues show through.

Able to spend some hours in the studio today – roughly nine hours non stop (apart from cups of coffee). Looking around, apart from the usual mess, there were several unfinished works. I’m getting keyed up for the next series of works… just three words and 100 ways to artfully say bollocks. I decided to work on these and hopefully finish them, clearing the way so to speak. One of the ‘unfinished’ pieces ‘ wince’ has sat around for a few weeks, after the initial sketch and mapping out. I had worked out the colours – a very pale blue grey with a strong cadmium red overlay. also, at the same time, I sat looking at the initial just three words painting and as usual decided to work on that instead.. when will I learn!

Recently, some of the paintings, although successful, I feel I have been missing a certain feeling, one which I haven’t captured for a while. Well, sitting and sitting, getting up and walking around can get your brain working, out with a pencil and started scribbling on the wall – came up with it; I like to layer the surface, putting undercoats of paint which show through in the final outcomes, this was it, I went back to the painting. I originally thought that the background would be white, but after working today, I’m not sure. Then again, I’ve just had a butchers and not too happy with current state. (the blue doesn’t come out on the photo!!)
‘Wince’ on the other hand is going well, using a colour base I used some time ago, made some changes to the mix more cadmium to sharpen it.

Bad light prevents photographing next stage – the blue is a base layer. Further images to be posted.

Looking at previous posts I realised that I have not written anything for a week, rest assured, I haven’t been slack, just getting on with lots of different things… some painting, sketching out ideas, formulating projects, training rugby (and things connected with the club!), socialising, and even mundane items as paper work for school!!!
Also, someone is interested in purchasing a painting, awaiting feedback on that at moment

‘beachcombers’ acrylic on canvas
Completed and removed masking tape from ‘all day..’ painting. Taken some dodgy photos of it – light is vey poor at the moment with it starting to turn dark by 4.30 pm

detail

detail

Fairly pleased with result; as its part of a series of 6 it should stand up well with the other 5 (as soon as I have finished them!!)

Update on ‘just three words’ series – after posting image last time I have made some headway – although the classic one step forward, two steps back is working its ugly head. Originally, the background was going to be titanium white, when I was about to start I had a change of heart – opted for a sky blue/baby blue, painted it then as you can image, not happy. Out came the sketch book/wall and starting mixing colours. I have reworked the background with a deep mix of crimson with purples, blues and applied this. It kinda works, but I think i shall return to the original white, as I like to create a surface layer or two there’s no real harm done! (image at some time!)

Whilst posting on an artforum, a question was raised about where people paint-my reply was of course in my shed. This apparently is quite common and several postings have been made in response and with pics to. Further posts included how they like to work in their sheds and what they use as tools/equipment – some were very impressive and some were very neat and tidy!!
Then a question about sketchbooks – I have always had difficulty using them, I prefer to work things out on the work itself or scraps of paper/wood/anything close at hand. I have found myself working more in terms of working out titles, colours and thoughts on the walls of my ‘shed’, and was requested to upload some on the said forum, haven’t done so far but I might.
Thought I’d put some up here, excuse the handwriting – left handed and I use a word processor more than a pen!!

Oh, by the way ……………….. off to see the Sex Pistols tonight at Brixton Academy – a little too young first time around!! But managed at some some time to see most of the other bands of that era. give you a review later!!!!!

as previously posted, started a new series of work based on three little words (influence of the Humament – Tom Phillips). Still undecided about background colour, off to have a think…