Sunday, February 28, 2010

Inspiration and Illustration Friday - Perspective

Most people didn't understand, but from her own perspective, her life made perfect sense.

This is the piece I painted after my last pastel painting. I had this 8 x 10 inch canvas, which I had prepared with gel medium for texture and already two women sketched on it. I didn't like them, so I plastered over them with papers and tissue paper, then covered the whole thing with a layer of deep teal soft pastel ... and there it sat ... for days and days!

After I finished the pastel from my last post, I suddenly looked at this canvas and decided to paint a face on it with very thin acrylic washes. I only used three colors of Golden fluid acrylics - Green Gold, Quinacridone Magenta, and Phthalo Turquoise. Why those three? Because those are the only fluid acrylics I have.

The rest of the colors you see on the painting (with the exception of the white in the eyes), are either those three colors mixed or the colors of the papers shining through. If you remember, I use rubbing alcohol to lift off some of the acrylic paint in some areas.

I worked in very thin washes, fairly quickly and loved working this way! The washes were very unpredictable, and I really liked that lack of control. And I am quite enamoured by the final outcome!!

P.S. I am sorry I haven't been by your blogs in awhile - with Daniel's brother visiting, I just don't have much computer time. But I'll be back soon! In the meantime, thank you for continuing to visit here!!

32 comments:

  1. I love the colours and the surface.
    Well done
    Have a nice sunday
    Janine

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  2. Silke, I absolutly love her... A wonderful painting. Have a nice and relaxing sunday..Take care, Ingge

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  3. Oh such beautiful colours Silke! I love her too! You are a really free spirit when you paint, I wish I could loose some of my controlfreak tendency! Love, Annika ;)

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  4. Love this work with the acrylic washes. The more you "let go", the better you get. Well done, Silke!!

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  5. Love the face, the colours, and the textures. Enjoyed hearing about your painting process. I tend to prepare my canvases in a very similar way to produce a background of texture before I begin to paint.

    Fabulous work!

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  6. Silke dear,
    I love this kind of your paintings, so very much, they are gorgeus, with all the layers showing throug, and the colours are very beautifull. It is fantastic, sweet.
    Hugs Dorthe

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  7. That is gorgeous and with only three colors. I have such an appreciation for people that can paint like that. Beautiful!

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  8. I love this for the depth and texture, and it is amazing what a limited palette can do when you accept it and just go with it!
    And I love th paper heart shape by her face; that speaks muc to me!
    There is a lot of impact in that 8x10 canvas.....has me thinking! :)

    XXOO!!
    Anne

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  9. I really adore the colors you used. Very dramatic piece! :) Theresa

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  10. THIS is my current favorite! I love the colors, I love how the background papers give it texture, and I love the expression on the woman's face. This is a very intricate piece with a lot of emotion. I envy you! Wish I could make something like this. Kudos!!

    Also, what you wrote underneath should be my life motto!

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  11. Oh how beautiful! Love the richness of the colors. I have to try this but wouldn't know where to start.... Thanks for sharing your process and hope you're having a wonderful time visiting w/ family.

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  12. Silke, I love your new lose style, so much going on in the art, makes you look at so much deeper.

    Hope you both are keeping very well!

    Hugs!

    Julie

    P.s My hubby as started knitting, yeah.

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  13. I love this painting, the textures and the different colors coming through the layers, most lovely. Have a good visit with Daniels brother and don't worry about us we'll still be here.

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  14. Silke.. I really, really, really like this one! Isn't it gratifying to save a piece after having it lay around for a while ~ and to come out so lovely? The coloring is stunning.
    ♥ audrey

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  15. Silke, this is so so beautiful!!! The looser you get the more magical your art. Love it.

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  16. Silke my dear, no apologies about spending time with loving family. You are embarking on a self discovery adventure aren't you? I want to see your destination. This is very interesting. I am hoping you will find your comfort zone and BAM! BAM! It will be the new Silke or maybe not new, the Silke who was hiding and is now emboldened by her association with artists who are not afraid to bare their souls! Waiting...waiting...So exciting!!!

    I miss the earlier Silke girls though :(

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  17. The freedom really shows...I love the layers, the textures and the colors...Thanks for explaining how you accomplished the painting...to a new art journaler, it's like having a private lesson....
    Hugs and Blessings,
    Butterfly

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  18. Oooooh! All those layers! All that energy! This is really intriguing and gorgeous. I enjoyed enlarging it and looking at how the colors just bleed and feather so beautifully into the crevasses.

    Have a great time with your brother in law!

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  19. wow, you have done so much with three colours!!! I admire how you enjoyed the lack of control and the unpredictable nature of the washes.

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  20. I love this painting, it's so beautiful!

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  21. Hi Silke! Love this painting...the colors are lovely together. Thanks for sharing your process too. :)

    xo ~ Karen

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  22. This is my favourite for now, Silke.

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  23. Silke - I love this painting. The blended colors are incredible and I think you have captured an expression better than any other painting. I'm so drawn to the texture too.
    A fabulous painting Silke - she is beautiful!

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  24. silke, when i enlarged this the colors and textures are incredible. it is so interesting to see you develop your skills day by day.

    i was in a funky restaurant tonight and there was art all over the walls. many of the faces looked similiar to yours. i thought of you and i said to myself, 'ah, is it time for silke to have a show at a local bookstore or cafe?'

    myself: i think it might be time, silke....


    ps enjoy your BIL and your new boat!!

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  25. Completely mind-blowingly gorgeous and unique!!! You are on to something! I love all you can do dear! Blessings.

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  26. So, did you sail today in that beautiful boat? Goodnight sweet. I love this girl.

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  27. I love your new 'looser' style paintings and how you use colour - gorgeous! I especially like the texture in this piece too.

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  28. Such a beautiful painting, Silke. The colours are quite stunning and uplifting for this time of year. Wonderful! xx

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  29. Wow, this is so beautiful and clever, all the textures certainly add a new dimension

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  30. This is one of my favorites :DD The colors are beautiful, her face is beautiful, & I like the heart shape half-masked beside her just makes me love it even more <3

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  31. Oh Silke! She is gorgeous! I am loving the color... just lovely!

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  32. This reminds me of stained glass windows, so lovely!

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