Drip Paintings

I've been fooling around with dripping paint onto my pieces, with various tools and from various distances.  I am using Golden's High Flow paint, which is the consistency of ink, so you can really fling it around.  I am also experimenting with fluid acrylics mixed with Flow Release and other Golden mediums.  I haven't come up with specific formulas or recipes yet, but if I do, I will certainly share.  Another interesting variable is to drip the paint into a coat of wet medium.  For example, I brush a coat of Tar Gel mixed with a little water onto the panel, and drip paint into it.  GAC 500 is another good option. 

This is the upper left portion of a 20"x20" panel.  After experimenting with dripping, as describe above, I did a little squeeze-bottle drawing in white. 

This started with the bright colors and dripped High Flow paint, and water. The white area with green drips is the new experiment.

Then, of course, I covered up most of the painting.

And more...

This is where it is now; I added more of the white with drips and spatters.  I think I'll have to start with another bright-colors-with-drips, and see what else I can do with that kind of beginning.

This is a portion of an 18"x24" canvas, in process.

More experiments, this one on paper, done over a work-in-process or demo piece.

Ditto the above.

 Thanks for visiting!  When I figure out some specifics on this I will do a little video and share.  In the meantime, I'm just fooling around with this stuff.  I urge you to do the same,  if it interests you.

I usually get my paint supplies from Blick Art Materials, and here are links for the above-mentioned products: High Flow Acrylics, Fluid Acrylics, Flow Release, Clear Tar Gel, and GAC 500.

If you have specific technical questions about the materials (what is the difference between GAC 500 and Clear Tar Gel, for example), contact Golden.  But first read the extensive information on their web site.  It is a generous source of information.  Try other brands of mediums as well.  Have fun!

Black and White Online Class

Finally, I have figured out an online workshop on Working in Black and White.  It begins next summer, July 19 (sorry I could not squeeze it in sooner).

I am very much drawn to the simplicity and austerity of black and white, neutrals, and shades of gray, even though much of my own work relies on color. Color is a powerful language, and it’s often the element we relate to most immediately in a painting. Because it is such a strong element, we sometimes neglect other possibilities of richness and subtlety in our visual expression.  Read more here.

 Here are a few previous blog posts on working in Black and White:  Black and White and Shades of Gray;  Happy New Year (2015), which includes a video; and Black and White Studies.  Since it is a while before the class starts, I encourage you to do your own studies in black and white.  See what happens!

More Fun And Easy Collage Paper Techniques

Sometimes you just need something fun and easy to do in the studio that cheers you up and feels productive.  Making Pretty Papers is just the thing for a chilly November day.
WARM Collage papers for an uncertain future from Jane Davies on Vimeo.

Here are some links to the materials I am using, though there are more links on my Favorite Materials page.

Novacolor Paints - these are decent quality paints: good pigments in a good binder, but they are more extended (i.e. less pigment per unit of volume) than professional grade paints.  You can only get them from the manufacturer; they are not available from retailers.

ArtQuest Perfect Pigments, made in Michigan, are relatively new to me.  Gorgeous colors!

Golden Fluid Acrylics: many of you are familiar with these luscious paints.  I use them for most of my smaller work, and the Heavy Body paints for larger works.  I use some of the HB paints in this video too.

Golden High Flow Acrylics: these are low-viscosity (think: watery) paints suitable for dripping, dropping, splashing, flinging, hurling, spattering, and the like.  They have the same pigment load as other Golden paints, so they are not simply Fluid Acrylics watered down. 

Stay Warm, but have a chill weekend.  We all need it after last week!

Small Works at True North Gallery

I have a few pieces in a Small Works Show at True North Gallery in South Hamilton, MA.  The Small Works phenomenon seems to be very popular around the holidays.  I guess it suggests that you could buy a small work of original art as a gift, or treat yourself in this time of giving.

Check it out if you are in the area.  It is an opportunity to see a LOT of diverse art, all on a relatively small scale.  Enjoy!