Tree Abstract

I completed the tree abstract this weekend. It is large: 3' x 4', and is done in acrylic on a stretched Fredrix canvas. I started with a series of small gouache studies in my sketchbook before progressing to a larger 11" x 14" abstract study done on gesso'd 300# Montval watercolor paper. I painted a series of color swatches in my sketchbook, in order to determine the correct acrylic colors to use to replicate the gouache palette. The red was used to create a deeper green shadow in the foreground. From this I developed the final painting, working in the studio as it was raining on and off all day.

I am calling it an abstract, but it is more accurately an impressionistic painting of windblown trees on a hillside on a warm spring day.

Abstract - Part 2

I made some progress on my large abstract painting yesterday. I worked on it outside on the patio, using my taboret as a mobile palette holder. The 60" x 80" canvas is supported by a Mabef Studio Easel. 

Using my 11" x 14" study as a guide, I covered the canvas with acrylic paint, letting it drip and be thin in places. I want the final painting to be very loose and casual with a feeling of urban graffiti. I added some splatters with the brush, and some scribbles with white pastel.

Abstracts Painting Project, Part 2

Here are some more abstract study sketches. The are done with Holbein acrylic on gesso'd watercolor paper and are 5" x 7" in size.

Hearts

The other day I was invited to submit a 6" x 6" painting for a fundraising art show. I thought of many things I could do: a small watercolor sketch of a local scene; an impressionistic landscape; an abstract; or some sort of a graphic composition. Having the opportunity to do anything I wanted was both interesting and challenging, as there were no parameters other than size. The exciting part was in the fact that I could do something completely different than what I am used to doing, and that it would be on display for public viewing.

The pieces were to be signed only on the back. Someone buys it only if they like it, not because of the signature. After six failed attempts at doing an abstract watercolor, I decided to try some hearts. I drew a pair of six inch squares on my paper, and masked off the boundaries and drew two hearts with a soft pencil. I painted them boldly, varying the intensity and color, and letting the paint mix right on the paper. I made three glazes, adjusting the color slightly and letting the luminosity of the transparent paint show through.

As soon as I was satisfied with the paint, I accented everything with pastels and colored pencil, scribbling over everything and ignoring the underlying shapes. Finally, I splashed some white and red paint, and labeled them: "Passion".

When I was done I didn't want to give them away, so I painted a few more.