I’ve been creating Acrylic paintings on old watercolour paintings that I never finished, never liked, or in this case was used for some watercolour exercises. I thought I’d share the evolution of this painting…
I did this watercolour exercise a LONG time ago. In the late 1980’s.
I rotated it 180 degrees before starting. I sometimes do this to force myself to see past the way the painting is “supposed” to look. It reduces distractions.
I penciled in some freeform shapes before scrubbing in some paint. I used a toothbrush to force myself to stay loose and rhythmic.
I laid down two yellows: one opaque and one translucent.
And then I went to town, adding more primary colours, playing with the way the opaque & translucent paint affected the the colours beneath.
Texture was added by scraping into the layers of wet paint with the sharp teeth of a tool I found at the hardware store. I think it’s designed for wallpaper removal.
I added some Titanium White to subdue some colours, create a bit of an ethereal quality, and to add some splatter.
Once the paint had dried I added loose shapes in black ink, roughly following the shapes I had drawn in pencil (that were all but covered up by now, but I kind of remembered them). I applied the black ink by using the ink bottle’s cap/plunger directly on the paper.
Along with using a toothbrush to apply the paint, I also used pieces of cardboard, plastic “credit card” style hotel room keys, and my fingers. I used a paintbrush sparingly, only when I wanted to achieve a painterly effect in blending some colours… I hate cleaning paintbrushes, so I really like alternate methods of applying paint.
I posted the final piece on Facebook several days ago with the title “I’ve Gone Mad”, because I think this is a pretty whacky little painting for me.
Some Facebook friends offered up some cool interpretations:
“… a UFO circling the earth”
“A weird space creature with a tail and two back legs carrying a space ship … through outer space…”
“A powerful message about those taking shark fins and throwing the shark back in the water to die… the harpoon that is visibly not removed.”
Final Painting ” Long Gone”
“Long Gone”
{aka Spaceship/Shark painting}
Acrylics & black ink over watercolour on D’Arches watercolour paper…
approx. size: 11″ x 15″ (28 cm x 38 cm) which is 1/4 of a standard watercolour sheet
© deb davies thorkelson | march 2015
{this post updated on March 30, 2015 – I elaborated on some of the techniques & updated the painting’s title}
Thank you Claudia! I love your comments. 🙂
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I like how the original painting inspired but did not restrict you. Clearly seen through the series of interim photos. Thanks for sharing all this and I think the finished work is great.
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Thank you Sharon. 🙂
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So cool, I love the layered effects and color. If pays to save your old art!
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Debra your work is fantastic! You are extremely talented! Thanks for sharing with us! Cher xo
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Cher… thanks for your lovely comment. When I’m painting I’m so much “in my head” which is a blessing, but also kind of lonely, and then doubts start forming. It has taken a lot of courage to share my work… at first it was very frightening, and I’d post things then remove them. I’ve finally stepped up, and encouragement like yours is very, very much appreciated.
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Well just know that those who see it are extremely grateful! Ah, bless; and you are so phenomenally talented. I cannot draw a straight line (true). I am in utter awe of people like yourself who can create such wonderment; and, as you said, “in your head”, and I am sure it is lonely. But just know when you allowing yourself to trust, the appreciation comes back to you ten-fold. So, THANK YOU!! Cher xo
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