Race Day

Race Day
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 7x5
Perry Yacht Club - purchase here

On this painting, I wondered what would happen of I left some droplets of the watercolor on top of the wax before ironing it between the brown paper.  This is what happens - more paint leaking through and spreading, as the wax is being melted into the brown paper.  Less distinct lines, creating a different, looser effect.  This could be cool on a serious portrait, or a painting that I might want to bump up the drama on.  Too much?  It might be, but my mind is already working on how to best use this technique on another painting.  Painting number 678 in as many days.

Sailing in Pink

Sailing in Pink
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 6x7.5
purchase here

I was set up on the bank of Lake Perry, painting a landscape in oils when these girls walked out to their boat.  As they worked, I heard the story of their sailboat by another artist who kept his boat here.  These girls bought this sailboat in disrepair for a song.  Putting many long hours into it, they brought it back to life as a team.  They were laughing and having a good time as they raised the sails and headed away from shore and I knew then that I would one day paint them.  A pink sailboat brought back to glory by the work of their hands, and now they can enjoy the fruits of their labor - does it get any better than that?  I first sketched this out in pen and ink - rather loosely, then painted in the colors of boat and land.  Covering these areas with hot wax, I then painted the water highlights with the hot wax as a resist.  Next, adding the water tones - and then it was back to waxing the whole painting, wadding it up into a ball, pressing it flat, and floating the burnt sienna into the cracks. Putting it between layers of brown paper, a hot iron removes most of the wax, leaving the luminous painting on the rice paper.  This painting makes 643 in as many days.

Rainbow Sailing Batik

Rainbow Sailing Batik
India ink, watercolor, wax on masa
purchase here

Today's experiment?  Masa paper!  It is a little thicker than the rice papers I have been using, which is a good thing when it comes to wadding the waxed paper up into a ball.  When the wax does not crack enough in the first stage, I wad it up again, and sometimes a third time until the paint will be able to reach the paper's surface in the cracks.  There is a smooth and rough side to all of these rice papers - be sure to paint on the rough side for better workability.  I used the hot wax for the resists in the water using a small, round bristle brush.  Once you did any brush in wax - it will always be dedicated to that purpose. There is just no coming back from the damage of wax on brushes.  The wax permeates this paper so much that if I flip it over, the back side looks exactly like the front side - only the image is reversed!  Crazy!  I painted today from reference that I took out at the Perry Yacht Club on a race day.  I have so many wonderful photos to work from - and this technique must be done in the studio.  There are no electrical outlets in the great outdoors for hot irons and little crockpots!  Painting number 640 in as many days and Day 30 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge!  That sure went by fast!

Nautical Reflections

Nautical Reflections
Oil on panel, 10x6
sold

Still denying the winter weather that is one the way, I am dreaming of a warm summer's day where the only painting spot was in the shade.  Painting by the water is so relaxing, the sound of the waves lapping at the beach like a soothing melody.  Time slows, and I could paint all day surrounded by such beauty.  This one is painted on a rough primed panel, and the waves have been pulled back and forth with the brushstrokes through the oils.  I wish I were there right now, painting this one en plein air.  At least I can remember the day so vividly, bringing those summer breezes to the landscape today......as I wait for the 5 - 9 inch snow!  Painting number 399 in 399 days.  Tomorrow will make 400!

Summer Oasis

 My easel was set up close to water's edge, in the shade of the trees.  This one was started in the afternoon on one of those 105 degree days.  Despite the heat, the breeze blowing over the water was cool and refreshing.  There were several us Missouri Valley Impressionist Society members on the banks, painting en plein air at the Perry Yacht Club.   It was one of those days where time stopped as I worked, and I could have painted all day.  The yachts and the waves were such a compelling subject, I painted three panels in oil from this place.  This day was my first experience painting sailboats - and I loved it!  I can't wait to paint at this event again next year.

Summer Oasis
9x12 oil on panel