This is an imaginary landscape painted in acrylics on paper, using washes, glazing, layering, and sgraffito. I was surprised and happy about how much texture and surface interest I was able to achieve -- I've always had a bit of a bias against acrylics but there's a lot going on here that would be impossible to achieve in watercolor or gouache. I've used some of the same techniques in large mixed-media calligraphy pieces in the past.
Hadn't intended to start a renewed drawing-a-day practice but it seems like that's happening on its own. No promises to keep that up, however. I'll be writing some regular posts too, pretty soon, but thought you might like to follow along with what's happening in the studio. Lots of indoors time here in Montreal, still. It's a bit warmer but grey and rainy. The forsythia has bloomed, though, in spite of it all!
Oh, I really like this, Beth. The colors are rich and deep and the texture really pops.
It's cold and rainy here too, though in town the forsythias are blooming, and I hope that in a week or so they will do so on our hilltop, too.
Posted by: Rachel Barenblat | May 01, 2014 at 10:47 AM
Kia ora Beth,
This reminds me amazingly like the tarns on the top of the Ruahine range here in New Zealand. I was just camped at them last week while on a tramp with Pohangina Pete. :)...hope you are well e hoa.
Posted by: Robb | May 01, 2014 at 07:33 PM
Lovely effects in this, Beth. If you were to crop it so all landscape reference vanishes it would still be lovely. Isn't it interesting that we respond to accidental,rough beauty whether in art or nature, when it's generally order and regular pattern that dominate? The popularity of abstract art, especially spontaneous textural effects, seems to demonstrate our need for breaks from linear thinking.
Acrylics are certainly versatile, especially when used with some of the many mediums available - I like matt medium to take away the glossiness and also some of the glazing and impasto mediums.
Posted by: Natalie | May 02, 2014 at 06:12 AM