Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Striking Strokes - Shifting Surfaces

So here's what I'm doing.  It is a variation on a demo that I've done before with yupo and arches rough paper.  
I have drawn out the same image on yupo, arches rough, claycoated  panel (box) and the clear paintable mylar.  I also have an etching of the same image on reeves bfk and I did go ahead and do a drawing on arches hot press, which I hate (not the drawing, but the paper).

Below is my work table with the various versions spread out.  The arches rough and the yupo are well on their way, the others have a way to go.

Below are etchings spread out on the floor as I decided which one was the best for this experiment.  Note the peony on stem that is on the left.  I hand painted one like it and it turned out beautifully.Here's the hand painted peony.  It is not the same pattern as the experiment, but it is fun to show. (below)
This is the design that I have been working with for all of these images.  It was to have been a medallion which is why I distilled the drawing to simply black and white.  Unfortunately, it never happened, but I have made good use of the drawing.

Below, this is the start of the image on the paintable mylar.  It is less slippery than yupo.
This is the image on arches rough watercolor paper (below)

Below is the cradled clayboard box.  The surface is toothy.  I like it a lot.
This is the etching with the painting started.  The paper is very soft.  the ink has been pressed into the paper, causing a semi-resistant surface.  But it allows a nice rich painting surface, even so.
Here is the yupo, of course.  Nice and juicy.
Later, I will add the arches hot press.  I have it drawn out and will bring it up to speed with the others.
I have added the arches hot press to the mix and while I was at it, I'm including a trial with a handmade mulberry paper that I was given by my Japanese hosts last time I was there. It is kind of a hard surface paper and yet, the paint bleeds a bit.  It looks nice, though.  Here it is:
Susan Webb Tregay gets credit for the title of the demonstration, "Striking Strokes - Shifting Surfaces".