Work in progress

[Kelley]

I'm not as quick with the brush as many of you are.  I've some progress, but it has been painstakingly slow.  I want to try a medium that dries faster as Pat suggested Liquin, but it is a bit late for this project.  I may be laying too thick a layer or perhaps it's too cold in the room for paint to dry (about 68 degrees F). 

[patindaytona]

Good foundation Kelly. Try to utilize your underlayers that you've done. That's what I do as much as I can. Even a little bit will give the painting more dimension and more interest that way. I mean let parts here and there show thru. I works.

[Kelley]

Great tips and I appreciate the compliment, Pat.  Presently, the paint has a consistency of whipped butter.  It isn't straight out of the tube, but still way too thick I suspect. I need to learn to thin my paint to the point it's somewhat transparent. What medium would you use for that without ruining the under-layers? 

[Maggie]

It's coming along well! Beautiful, rich colors! Can't wait to see the finished painting! 

The long drying time is the reason why I mostly use acrylics.. I want to paint and get it done with.. I always use a LOT of paint, and when I use oils, I end up with loads and loads of paint on the canvas that is "unworkable". 

[Kelley]

I considered starting acrylic, but there is something rich and buttery about oil that I like.  It is very challenging, but I find it easier to mix than acrylic.. from what I remember 20 plus years ago.  I don't know, maybe next year I'll invest in some acrylic paints and see if I can mix with them as well as you do, Kaaskrul.  It is nice to be able to work on the same area the same day as opposed to a few days later.  Pat was telling me about a medium (Liquin) that reduces oil drying time.  As long as it doesn't affect colour or quality I am going to give it a try.  I'll check it out if I remember this weekend.

[Maggie]

Hi Kelley! I agree, the texture of oils is really nice to work with! I would like to use it more!

The other reason I pull the acrylics closer when I start working, is that I work at the art society every Tuesday evening, and bring everything home after each session. And by the time I get home (around 9:30pm, and exhausted), the painting has scratches!  ! Then I spend another half hour to "fix it up"... With acrylics, the painting is dry before I get to the car. Painting a landscape in acrylics though, is one hell of a challenge, as the paint dries before I've finished blending.. I have to paint really fast! Another drawback, is that acrylics may dry a little darker..

[nolan]

Your painting is coming along great Kelley. looking forward to seeing how your rocks turn out

[Kelley]

Thank you Nolan.  I need some instruction on creating a wash.  I've never done this with oil.  What I'm trying to do is add a bit more transparent red (crimson perhaps) to the entire area without mixing it with yellow (I don't want a solid orange in other words).  Is this possible?  What medium would I use for such a task?

[nolan]

Hi Kelley

When I do a wash, I just add a very thin layer of paint over the area without adding any medium. I find that when I add medium it becomes very difficult to avoid stripes.

[Kelley]

What do you use for a paint thinner? I want to make certain it doesn't affect colour properties.

[Val]

  Coming along famously Kelley. I had such wonderful intentions of trying that sunset, I have too many things going on at the moment. I may still try it once I clear up some of these other 'projects'   
Just too easily sidetracked! 

[Kelley]

Thanks for the encouragement Val.  I will be adding some yellow to the water to reflect the sun and will also see about adding gray on the rocks for definition.  I'll be adding another red wash later as well.  A bit frustrated with my imagination, but I am slowly making progress.  I am not going for the surreal effect.  I like adding texture to the foreground - perhaps it is becoming my style.

[Kelley]

So here is the present condition of January's challenge.  As you can see, it still requires a lot of work.  I realized after I took a step back that I added too much yellow to the water.  The reflection is much thinner.  I will add more rock to keep a consistent colour to the platform I am creating at the top of the formation. I posted a couple close ups for detail of the different strokes, dabs and swipes.

[Kelley]

  I added more of the platform. I also added more yellow around the sun, but the picture doesn't reflect the gradient from orange to yellow and yellow to white. I expanded the water out to the background further as well, but I am not sure it added any better effect.  I will "fiddle" a bit more with the rocks and build the platform rails before adding the red-orange wash unless someone suggests otherwise.

[nolan]

Kelley, I use either our own medium, or Linseed Oil as a thinner depending on if I want to speed up the drying process or not.

Your paintings is coming along very well

I really like the knife work for the water, it has added sparkle and dimension to the painting. Just don't forget the reflections of the rocks in the water