Thursday, 7 July 2011

And now... for something completely different!

Good morning, friends!

I have subtitled my blog as a journey... and today's post is all about a learning part of this journey.

Here's the flower painting close up



and here it is on the easel at a distance of about four-five feet away.



Looks quite dramatic for a watercolour, doesn't it?
That's because some of this - Winsor and Newton Aquapasto - has been added to the wash before the paint hit the paper.




This was given to me by my art tutor, Steve Cook last Wednesday, as he thought I was "on the brink of creativity" :)
I have had great fun playing with it - it turns your watercolour washes into a buttery consistency, like oils. I took this painting back to the art class this week and Steve thought it had great impact, and did indeed look like an oil.

I love it!
I painted the picture vertically and I was standing! Made a lovely change from sitting down to work - and helped me free up immensely. It also made a difference in being able to stand back and assess the picture. Not something I do enough when I'm sitting!

I can see me using this a great deal. I don't think my workbox will ever be without it. :)
Next for me to try is a moody sky over a lake in Scotland.. watch this space!
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28 comments:

  1. Unknown7 July 2011 at 03:19

    Very interesting Pat! Oh no, I haven't got any of this magic potion, will my wife's hair gunk work do you think LOL?
    But seriously, I agree with you about the beenfits of being able to stand back from our work, something I only do if I paint in oils, although I don't actually stand to paint - I need a big easel to do that :)

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  2. Pat7 July 2011 at 03:23

    Hair gel? Who knows? Give it a go :lol: Or buy the pukka stuff for about £6 :)

    That easel in the picture I recently bought. Its a plein aire one, very light, can be stood on a table top or extended to full height so its standing on the floor. Its a jakar adjustable and it cost about £20. Get that birthday wish list written :) xx

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  3. Judy7 July 2011 at 04:55

    Interesting stuff! Very dramatic, this yellow flower!
    I like standing up to paint, for exactly the reasons you mention: working more freely and looking at the painting from more distance.

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  4. AK7 July 2011 at 05:03

    Thanks for this interesting information. Have never tried it. The painting really glows. Great work.

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  5. Prabal7 July 2011 at 05:19

    Thanks for sharing this. had no idea such a thing existed.

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  6. Sadami7 July 2011 at 05:29

    Hi, Pat,
    Very interesting post and the nice work. Thank you for the info on a prodect.
    It makes me think of my style--often keep papers upright. I know your feeling well. Enjoy freedom and have fun.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  7. Dora Sislian Themelis7 July 2011 at 06:13

    It certainly gives an oil look to your work Pat. I like to stand while I work anyway, so this is a big help without the drips! Have fun!

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  8. Anonymous7 July 2011 at 06:52

    Yes, very interesting Pat. The painting is beautifully painted with aquapasto. I do not know it. That's a nice easel and not really expensive. Are you going too plain aire painting like Michael?

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  9. Deb Townsend7 July 2011 at 06:56

    Love this Pat. I do have a question about your easel...looks light weight and easily portable. Is it? What kind is it? Placing an order today and going to get some aquapasto. Must try it!

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  10. Pat7 July 2011 at 07:04

    Thanks, Judy! I did enjoy the standing up :) xx

    Thanks, Asit. The next one will be dark and moody so I can see the range of this product :) xx

    Thanks, Prabal . Nor did I know - only my tutor gave it to me as a gift! xx

    Thanks, Sadami - I'm having fun alright .. best thing about painting :) xx

    You'd love this too then, Dora - unless you really love the drippy look! xx

    Thanks, Renske. Its a really nice easel - and yes, I plan to paint outdoors also :) xx

    Deb its very lightweight. 2lb ( 1kg) It even came with its own carry bag, which you can sling over your arm with the strap attached!

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  11. Studio at the Farm7 July 2011 at 07:58

    Pat, your "something different" turned out very well. I must say, that Aquapasto sounds very interesting - a must try!

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  12. Cora7 July 2011 at 08:54

    Pat thank you for sharing the info. I'll try that aquapasto, it's interesting. i hope you'll write more about your experiences on using that aquapasto.

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  13. csjones337 July 2011 at 10:46

    Oh Pat that just brings so much to your painting! I love it--looks like the vase can come right off the canvas. Can't wait to see more!

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  14. Franz7 July 2011 at 13:05

    interessante Pat,non conoscevo questo prodotto,l'effetto è molto bello!
    Scusa il ritardo,oggi è stata una lunga giornata di lavoro:-)
    Buona serata!!

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  15. Pat7 July 2011 at 13:36

    Thanks, Kathryn - I really do like it. I think its a must for me from now on :) xx

    Thank you Cora - I will indeed be writing more - I have a painting of a sunset in the pipeline :) xx

    Thanks, Sharon! If you were here to see it, you would see it leap off the paper. Its really fab! xx

    Oh Francesco, so sorry you had a long day at work. You never need to say sorry, though. We all have other things we have to do too. Some days I am two days before I catch up.

    I never knew about the product either, it was only my tutor gave it to me to try.. and he let me keep it. I love this flower :) xx

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  16. Jane7 July 2011 at 15:16

    Very interesting stuff this aquapasto, I didn't know it, but will absolutely look for it, and yes your painting really looks like oil, very beautiful.

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  17. Ann7 July 2011 at 18:02

    it's very pretty. don't you love it when you find a fabulous new product?

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  18. Anamaria do Val7 July 2011 at 18:40

    It's always good to have new information, thanks for sharing.
    Very strong work, Pat, I like it! xx

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  19. Maria's Watercolor7 July 2011 at 19:07

    I really like this Pat, love how you venture into something new so freely, and with such heart, you are so inspiring!

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  20. Paola Brunetti8 July 2011 at 01:09

    molto bello, brava!
    http://iquadridipaolabrunetti.blogspot.com/
    ciao, paola

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  21. Tito8 July 2011 at 02:51

    Thanks a lot Pat, for the info on this magic product. The effect of Aquapasto looks really beautiful on your yellow flowers. Ciao.

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  22. Pat8 July 2011 at 06:34

    Thanks, Jane xx

    Love it even better when I'm given one, Ann :lol: xx

    Thanks, Anamaria - it is strong, for sure! xx

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  23. Pat8 July 2011 at 06:36

    Thank you Maria. I'm just so in love with painting, I like to share that love xx

    Thank you, Paola xx

    You're welcome, Tito .. I hope some find it useful and are maybe tempted to try also :) xx

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  24. Barbra Joan8 July 2011 at 07:10

    Pat, Hi I'm a bit under the weather so slow in getting back the past few days. LOve, love this ... Question ? are you painting on watercolor paper or on canvas? I looked and looked back but don't see where it says..
    hugs to you... ps thanks for always coming by.. BJ

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  25. Pat8 July 2011 at 07:15

    Hi BJ.. sorry to read you've been poorly *hugs*
    Didn't I say? What an eejit.. its on watercolour paper. Cotman 140 Not surface. xx

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  26. Miss Hillbilly8 July 2011 at 11:35

    Don't you just LOVE LOVE LOVE to learn fun new things?

    I will anxiously watch for more.

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  27. Pat8 July 2011 at 11:38

    I just posted the new one, Tonya xx

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  28. Nil Catalano12 July 2011 at 19:03

    Pat did not know this stuff here in my country artistic material is hard to find even more news.
    Interesting effect, very close to the oil, thanks for sharing.

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