Patterns

Here is a really short video of making patterns.  I like to overlap patterns, use patterns of different scale, density, different colors, and varying amounts of contrast with the ground.

This is just an example of contrasting scale. The stripes on the left are painted, the ones on the right are collaged. 

In this painting, 12"x12", I used the contrast of scale and varying contrast of value to create the focal area.

This is the study I am demonstrating in the video.  It is 9"x12".

This is student work from a workshop.  We were creating small collages using contrasting patterns.

Student work from an online  class.  I love the very loose use of pattern here.

In this pattern study, 10"x10", I'm using various scales of pattern, and varying degrees of contrast.

I use the pattern of red/orange dashes, and the spatter of turquoise to bring this piece together.  It is 9"x9".

This is one of a series in which I played with pattern overlapping, and different scales of pattern.  I believe this is 10"x10".

Just a sampling of easy-to-make patterns

"Pattern Play", 8"x8", features a variety of patterns interacting and overlapping.

Patterns are easy and fun.  Using them, however, requires careful observation and restraint.  A little goes a long way. Try it out  Play with pattern and see where it takes you!

A Continuing Series

This is a continuation from the previous post, in which I described my inspiration and exploration of the central cluster format. Here are some of the pieces, both in process and finished.

Spare Parts #4

Spare Parts #4

Spare Parts #2

Spare Parts #3

Spare Parts #6

Spare Parts #7

Spare Parts #8

Spare Parts #9

Spare Parts #10 - In Process

Spare Parts #11 - In Process

Spare Parts #12

Spare Parts #13

These are fun, and I will continue the exploration.  I would love to see if this can scale up, but for now I am going to keep them small.  I am using brush (acrylic paint), brayer (acrylic paint), collage, scribbling (crayon, graphite, Pitt pen), spattering (High Flow paint).

An Update on the Drip Paintings

You may have seen this post with the video about using High Flow paint.  Here are six of the finished pieces.  I am calling them "Splash", for lack of better skills at creating titles.  To me they are landscapes, evoking various moods, places, natural features.  #6 suggests to me the surface of the sun, or a warning about the earth's heating.

Splash #6

Splash #1

Splash #2

Splash #3

Splash #4

Splash #5

To me, a little of this dripping goes a long way, so covering up a lot of the initial layers of drips was important to the process.  Thanks for visiting.  The above are available as prints on Fine Art America.  I just added some other product options such as throw pillows, duvet covers, tote bags, etc., which you will see when you click the individual images on FAA. 

Fabulous Idea from Carla Sonheim

Carla Sonheim, an artist / illustrator that I much admire, sent a really fun newsletter with three good reasons why one-liners matter.  One-liners are drawings you do with one line, never raising your drawing implement from the page.  I included Carla's idea of one-liners in my Sketchbook Practice online class.  Here are a few of my one-liners - of CHICKENS, of course!

In my one-liner exercise, they had to be completed in thirty seconds or less, which is why two of the chickens are missing their heads.

Here are Carla's two elephants:

Check out Carla's Special Newsletter here.  And try some one-liners, for fun, or for any of the reasons Carla gives you.

My Work in an iPhone App Video!

Well, this is a surprise.  Check it out:

My work is available as prints on Fine Art America.
Check out the video on their site.

Another Group of Work

I am really drawn to work that is more spare than I can seem to manage.  In several of my workshops this year I have had students working in this way.  Maybe 'spare' is not quite the right word.  Central cluster, breathing space around all four sides.  Here are just a few images of student work ('student' isn't quite the right word either, as these are all experienced artists)
 

These are gel prints by Leslie Fry, who is a sculptor.

One of many "studies" or "starts" by Sarah Bunker.

Ann Crain worked so fast and furiously in my workshop, I could not keep up with her!  Fascinating to see her process, and the pieces definitely capture her loose, free, expressive style.

These are studies done by Kate Webster, who kindly assisted me in Gloucester and at Omega.  I just loved these bold and confident collages.  She doesn't have a web site.

The above two images show the work of Linda Hazell, who was at the Omega workshop.  She doesn't have a web site either; I hope she makes one soon, as I would love to see more of her work!

I am actually TAKING one of my own online workshops - 100 Drawings on Cheap Paper.  It is actually a continuation of the one that began last August, for a small group of students who wanted to continue in a self-directed way.  We have two-week blocks in which to make our own lesson, and then make ten pieces that address the parameters of that lesson.  I am thinking of exploring this central cluster + breathing room for my next "lesson", but I have to define it a little more clearly. I'm taking some time to play with the idea freely.

Sixteen starts. This is the easy part.

One of the starts, unadulterated

The piece above with a bit of collage and spattering

This one might be even finished!  Beginner's luck.

All of the above are 30cm x 30cm (10"x10"). 

High Flow Paint, again

OK, here is a little video on some of the ways I use Golden High Flow Paint:
And a few works in progress that make use of these techniques:

Stage 1 (ground with High Flow spattered and dropped)

Beginning to articulate the form

Continuing in a landscape direction, still in process... 25 cm x 25 cm

Here is the piece on which I used the water gun.  In process, 25 cm x 25 cm

This is stage two or three:  red ground, drip painting, then fog...

Defining a horizon

Making it into landscape, possibly finished

Another work in progress

Possibly finished landscape

work in progress

work in progress

We'll see where this goes. So far I am working pretty small, 25 cm x 25 cm and 30 cm x 30 cm.  I would like to see how this might scale up.