Abstraction

Abstraction 10X8 Encaustic on wooden cradle panel

Finding a way to abstraction

I was cutting up prints and cards that I had on hand to create some colorful business cards for an Art Auction that I will be in on the 7th of May here in Powell River.  You can see some of them above.  While doing that I thought it would also be a good idea to make some out of watercolor with paper that I have on hand.  

I started by taking a large serving plate and randomly dropping the watercolor paint onto it and then dragging the paper through.  I used two shades of blue so that I would have a value change.  This process seemed a little weak in color.  You can see the examples on the left.  Even though the color was weak I liked the random abstraction.  At this point I ditched the plate and started painting directly onto the paper with clear water and then first dropping the lighter blue color into the water and then the darker blue.  This gave me more intensity which I rather liked. You can see examples on the right.

From here I took a bright yellow and swirled over the blue and then finally the red.  I felt that the dots seemed to balance out the composition and were very important.  This was a great exercise to get potential painting ideas for the future.

I have been very busy in the last month.  I took an Encaustic painting course from Nancy Crawford, in Fort Langley.  I highly recommend this if you are considering such a course.  You can find her on U tube, Pinterest and Facebook.

I've also taken 3 online encaustic courses with Galli Publishing.  The instructor is Daniella Woolf and somehow I feel like I know her really well.  Great course, reasonably priced and well worth the money spent.  I also purchased a few DVDs on both Cold Wax Painting and Encaustic.  

You would think at this point I should be pretty good.  My husband says mistakes are simply learning experiences.  I should be pretty smart by now.  NOT.  It will take more play and time.

Meanwhile I think I will be digging up my other paints in between to see what ideas I can generate.

Happy painting and blessings for a great day.

Bente