Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Stick Handler Becomes... Mack the Knife!- Part 2

Turpentine washes provide a basic colour key to guide painting process


Raw pigment knifed in... providing texture and colour

"Hangin' On... at Bush Island, Nova Scotia" - oil on canvas 20x24 inches



Detailed closeup... note deep pigment and sharp edges


Another Day of Play!


After a day or so of deliberation... and uncertainty as to how to proceed, I made a decision to continue the path I had followed thus far... to "just let it all hang out." Rather than revert back to my usual path using my brushes, I decided to first lay in colour blocks using turpentine washes from remaining pigment on my palette... just to give me a colour key to work from... as is shown in the top jpeg.


Given the highly positive response from my readership regarding my use of the palette knife in the recent Algonquin sketches, I decided to forge ahead using only the knife to paint the subject... making the most of the textural strength that the knife offers to develop a weathered and worn look to this fish shed grouping on Bush Island, Nova Scotia.


The knife also offers so much leeway in mixing colours directly on the canvas... keeping them bright and fresh... and yet at the same time creating "happy accidents"... or "colour surprises," as I like to refer to these happenings. I worked from roughing in basic background shapes and colours to the grassy areas in the middle ground... before pouncing (with glee) on the weathered sheds and the maze of dark shadows in the piers and pilings.


This preliminary state of applying colour has firmly established the direction which I will build upon and follow all the way to completion. I will leave the paint to set a bit overnight... and then work back into the new textures and colour blocks... trying hard not to disturb strong areas which already exist at this early point. A couple of cups o' java and a quiet hour... just "Me" and the canvas tomorrow morning... and I'll be up and runnin' again !


I have included one closeup of one area to show the quality of the paint application... and the "freshness" of the bravura which the knife creates. Looking at the overall picture using a digital image... clearly revealed that I had made an error on how the two sheds linked right from the beginning. I corrected... using only a few slashes of my knife. It took very little time for the palette knife to feel comfortable in my hand... and for "The Flow" to get underway! A very freeing feeling!


Stay tuned... for Part 3



Good Painting to All !!!

22 comments:

  1. Wow this looks like a lot of fun! Great colours to brighten the day, I'm eagerly awaiting part 3.

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  2. You know Bruce, I never mean to be contrary...but I have to say I love that top photo with the turp washes. I mean I love the finished product too, but that top one keeps me coming back to look again. I think it is a beautiful piece right at that point. Hope you are feeling better. If you have the same icky bug thats been flying around here, my heart goes out to you. Today my ears are plugged. Since nothing comes out (please don't visualize that), I suspect there is fluid behind the drum. Sigh...Is it Friday yet? LOL

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  3. Hi Lisa!... Glad that you picked up on that fun part! It has been a lot of fun..... much like reading a "pick-a-path" book... constantly shifting forward and back! No particular place to come... or go! Just cruising!!! HA HA!!!

    The colour can be very rich with an alla prima palette attack. But it can become greyed down mud... if overworked! I like the current freshness and hope to maintain it!Fingers crossed...

    Thanks for dropping by and leaving encouragement!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards.
    Bruce

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  4. Each stage a winner Bruce. What fun a palette knife, something I will try after my experimenting with watercolor papers. There are so many roads to explore as an artist. Never dull or boring.
    Now for another cup of coffee.

    Have a great day
    Joan

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  5. Hi there Sherry!... Glad that you are enjoying this project... it seems... almost as much as me!

    Both Deb and I really liked the wash stage result... with its quirky... off beat vagueness. It did have a life of its own. But as is always the case... one presses forward when "the feel" seems to tug one further in another direction.

    That's the beauty of recording the process in "stills" as one proceeds. One can look back and revisit the process again... perchance to stop on another day at that conclusion. A useful tool!

    But today... onward... knifing my way (hopefully) to a successful finish!

    Hope that you are feeling better Sherry! It's a real "nasty" this head bug!And yes... Friday's on the way!!! HA HA!! Hang in there Girl!

    Good Painting... Happy and Hasty recovery!!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Good morning, Bruce! How's the painting coming along this morning? Well, I hope!
    It is a treat how you shared the process. All the way from acrylic wash..sticks...ink
    ...oils...then palette knife!
    I, too, have been testing the effects of "knifing". Getting hooked on the expressive new look.

    Keep up the good work

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  7. I'm anxious to see how will be at the end : )

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  8. Hi there Joan!... Thanks for dropping by and for your encouraging remarks!

    You are so right Joan! Making art is a journey of many paths... and choices! Varying one's thinking... mediums and tools... opens up a Universe filled with adventure and opportunity for growth!

    "You" are well on your journey Joan... and the joy that you have discovered is so very evident in the work you produce!

    Good Painting!... and Exploring Joan!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Hi back Dean!... Thanks for your observations and sharing!

    I had chores to do this morning... and am just nippin' at the bit to get down to the studio ... right after these comments!

    I had my morning java and meditation looking for direction... and have one... I think!

    That word "expressive" is a key observation about the use and impact of using a palette knife. That tool takes one's energy to a higher level... beyond "impression." It is exhilarating to work with... as you know!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  10. Hi there Sadeu!... Thanks for the return visit and comment!

    All ready to proceed! Hope that I don't disappoint you... or myself! No worry... it's been a worthwhile learning experience and fun already. Hey!... That's what making art should always be about! Stay tuned!...

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Your turpentine wash technique is fascinating. I love the look of the water made with the knife in that closeup image - beautiful flow and nice "colour surprises" in there! Thanks for the comments on my blog and nice to find someone who can relate to my continued connection to an ex-inlaw! Just because you break off a relationship doesn't mean you have to break off everyone else you knew. In any case, my ex and I have remained friends which has been good for us and for our son. Now, back to my painting - I hate having to push myself so much these days!

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  12. Gosh this is exciting and I can't wait to see the next stage. I do find your preparation work so fascinating to see. Hurry up Bruce and get painting!

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  13. Hi there Karen!...Good to hear from you...and to glad that you're able to get out and share your talent and time with kindred spirits! That's always an "upper"!

    You're right about not assuming...absorbing and playing out the bitterness towards those folks who actually "play on the sidelines" in marital relationships.

    Those people needn't get dragged into the messiness. Takes two to tango... and two only to iron it all out... if possible! Sometimes that... unfortunately isn't always possible. I have experienced that as well.

    Good luck with your model project! Hope that you enjoy that as I have enjoyed this one!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  14. Hi Carolyn!... Thanks for your visit and your kind and enthusiastic comments! I'm glad that you find the project interesting! I'll try to end it on that same high note! Wish me luck!

    Stay tuned!...

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  15. Hi Bruce, that knife-work really does suit those old sheds. Maybe it will be something you will use more often, even if or when you go back to your brushes.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  16. Good evening Keith!... You are absolutely right about the textural "possibilities" that use of the palette knife creates!

    The technique especially suits recreating these weather-beaten fish stores! There is a real freedom one enjoys in the "feel" as well. The knife really does take one into the realm of the expressive! A great tool!

    It has bailed me out in a good many situations... when my work started to pale and lose energy!

    Thanks for your valid comments and ideas Keith! Much appreciated!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  17. What an wonderful series Bruce! I can't wait to see part 3. Seeing an artists step by step process is so very interesting!

    PS. Thank you for your recent comments on my blog. You have such a lovely way with words!
    Cheers,Helen.

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  18. Hi there Helen!... Thanks for visiting... and for your words of encouragement!

    This project has been a great deal of fun... and a wonderful learning exercise for me... and for others I hope through sharing!

    Being connected to others and seeing how they thinks and work is a valuable opportunity for growth! Win-win for all!

    My words simply express the joy and pleasure that your own art provided me during my visit!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Good painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    PS Finished the piece this afternoon. REady to write the post to accompany it!

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  19. I'm loving the way this is developing Bruce. Your enthusiasm for the palette knife is infectious and you've made me think that maybe I should have a go myself ... just for the fun of it. :)

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  20. Hi there John!... Thanks for your very supportive and uplifting comments!

    I am sure happy that in exchange for your input... that you might pick up on my palette knife suggestion... and take the courage to "ice a cake" of your very own! HA HA!!

    It's very liberating ... and infectious as you have so aptly put it! Worth a shot!

    Happy Painting!... Knife away!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  21. The Turpentine wash is so amazing Bruce!!! I would've stopped right there!! Framed it..and called it a day!!! Awesome effect! I love visiting your blog...always so informative!!

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  22. Hi there Hilda!... Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!

    Both Deb and I had the same initial feeling about the turp wash stage... however... the art "gemilin " within had his mischievous way with me... and we pushed ahead further! Fact is... I'm more than staisfied with the final outcome!

    I do hope that the result will confirm my real feeling that art is fully in the hand of the maker. Joy comes from that knowledge... and usually... it is infectious! HA HA!!

    Good Pastelling!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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