Monday 12 September 2011

Early stages of At Sanctuary's Gate

Enamoured of this three colour background, I wanted to try one more very strong set of colours before I mute them somewhat.

I decided to move away from Ultramarine, Alizarin and Aureolin and use Ultra Violet, Winsor Orange and Green Gold.

The door knocker is derived from the old medieval knocker which used to stand on the North Door of Durham Cathedral. In medieval times, one only had to knock and ask, and Sanctuary was granted to anyone fleeing from the brutal justice of the time. The Law of Sanctuary was abolished in England in the 1600s.

So my sanctuary knocker is set floating in the sky, representational of knocking at the Ultimate Sanctuary gate.

Drawing on the paper first, before putting the background washes in. They were very wet, because I wanted to press some cling film into them to create those interesting textural marks. When the cling film was in place, I weighted it with a couple of books to keep the film pressed in the washes. If you click to make the picture large, you will see that more clearly.


Next I start to paint the knocker, building up the colour in layers.
For this, you have to be patient. Each layer has to dry thoroughly. I'm hoping it will be worth it in the end.

15 comments:

  1. Hi Pat,
    I admire you for being generous in giving some details of how you work. I really get good tips from you. Thanks.

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  2. It's so interesting to learn how you create your pieces. I'm glad that you include the step by step for the rest of us to see. This is a very creative piece!

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  3. Hi,Pat,
    Very beautiful and sophisticated result. Congrats!! I have to see you to teach me in person.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  4. Intriguing background! I love your experiments and I look forward to see the final painting! I'm planning to do some background experiments myself.

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  5. Wonderful Pat. The cling film is an interesting concept. Can't wit to see what's next.
    xx

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  6. This is looking great already Pat. I love that Green Gold. I tend to keep to a basic set of 12 colours but I do have a bigger selection of tube colour with Ultra Violet and Winsor Orange, but not tried Green Gold ... yet.

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  7. Pat, I'm sure it will be worth waiting for each layer to dry, because I am loving it already! What a great idea for a painting~~~

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  8. I am sure it will be wonderful. I need to show this one to Seth. He will really like it.

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  9. Well I certainly like what you have so far. The effect you got with the cling film.

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  10. What an interesting approach to painting this subject! I'm looking forward to seeing the result :0)

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  11. a very nice piece of art. thanks for sharing. :)

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  12. Thanks everyone. Its really nice to know you appreciate the step by step demos and that you find my work fascinating.
    I am delighted when anyone can take something away from what I write and use it in their own work.
    Together, we climb mountains! xx

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  13. Hi Pat
    I love this door knocker.
    Thank you for sharing your work with us
    Elsbeth xx

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