There was no big "ah hah" moment at the workshop, but the reinforcement of basics and encouragement to make progress in actually using what I know was super. I have not really been into painting as you know from following my blog. It is so important for me to be around other artists ... It really inspires me.
When we get home I will write about the processes talked about and tried. I did learn that the style or method of blending up some grays to add into your colors for adding depth and atmosphere did not work well for me using the water based oils.
I get headaches from smelling linseed oil. Years ago I tried the Grumbacher water miscable oils and they cleaned up well with water, but still had a strong linseed oil base. I now have Wimsor and Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oils. They are much better for my headaches.
I have used them at home for small still life or quick landscapes and they worked fairly well. I usually mix with my brush with fairly pure color, and work thin. The camvas weave shows through.
Using them thicker and mixing in gray was disappointing. All the colors sort of soaked into each other and flattened out. I put on extremely bright highlights and would find them dulled down after the paint set a while. I suppose I could wait and add highlights after the first layer dried, but that would be a different technique not suitable for plein air.
Wanda Mumm, our instructor, told me about M. Graham Oils which have a walnut oil base. I am going to try those.
Why try oils when I really love pastels? Painting with pastels is like drawing and painting and I love the tactile quality. On the other hand it is very pleasurable to smush color around with a brush in a traditional way. Plus working with different media wakes up my brain and exercises it.
Here are a couple of samples that I especially like. (Neither is available to buy.)
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| Adobe Sun, 5 x 7 Pastel on Pastelbord |
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| On the Shores of Titicaca, Oil 5 x 7 inches |
2 comments:
I cannot even imagine how wonderful the workshop was in Montana...a beautiful State and I really miss visiting..hmmmm! maybe next year!! I've done a few oil paintings and really enjoyed moving that paint around as well, however, my love for pastels wins over all the time. Your oil painting "on the Shores of Titicaca" is beautiful, Jo!! and of course, LOVE "Adobe Sun"...!!
Hmuxo, thank you. Workshops are always good for me. I will be reviisiting what we did soon.
I enjoy oils, I just hope to find some that work well and don't make me have headaches! Acrylics aren't nearly as much fun to push around.
Thanks again.
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