I've gone through sketches and studies and finally started the actual painting. Still unresolved, though, is the background. My original intent was to make it light, but I also like her emerging from a dark warm background. Each of the color thumbnails work equally well, so I may just have to paint two big versions. Settle in for the ride!
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| 14" x 11" |
Also, I've been digging through my neglected art supplies and idea clippings and saw this "gouache resist" technique. It uses gouache, India ink and watercolor paper—stuff I had on hand! When I first read the instructions, they didn't make sense, so I clipped the article and finally tried it. You paint heavily with gouache, leaving white paper where you want black. Let dry, then paint over the whole paper with India Ink. Let dry, then wash/gently scrub off the ink. The result feels vaguely like an old wood-cut. I really had to try it for this to make sense, but I like it better than I expected to. I have some ideas for improvement and may return to this technique...just a warning!
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| 9" x 12" approx. |
Do some more. The portrait will be very nice whatever background you choose.
ReplyDeleteThree faces, the girl, the doll, the picture of the doll. Should be a good combo.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt about it that gouache ink thing has a distinct look and a very interesting one, maybe like an image in an old storybook that had been handed down and faded, but beloved and doughty. I would really like to see you do one with a photo taken at the end of each step.
Okay, I can do that. I'm interested enough in the technique to try it again. And there's something counter-intuitive enough about it that it really helps to see it done.
DeleteEven eyeless she looks great. Kudos on that hand. The color mixing on her hair and the stuffy is very nice.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good. A triple portrait. And your experimental piece was a big hit. Yes, do more.
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