A Study in Black and White Mark Making CONTINUES

Last week I shared with my readers the story behind my study in black and white mark making. Like my favorite artist, Franz Kline, I love large gestural marks, especially simple black on white. Unfortunately for me, they aren’t as easy to execute as they might look. It seems I am too much in my own head and I need to loosen up. I did a bit of research and I found a possible solution. It seems if I practice making larger, looser strokes I will build muscle memory. According to Wikipedia, “…when a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task, eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort.” So I began a study in black and white mark making.

After working at it about two weeks I have seen an improvement. In addition, I now have a good supply of interesting marks on watercolor paper. I've decided to add layers of color to a few of them. I am loving the results.

The one I am sharing with you today started as just four marks of black india ink. At first I just added a bit of watery acrylic paint.

After looking at it for a couple more days I decided to try making marks using some highlighters I had laying around.  It went through a few different stages before I was completely happy with it. A bit of distressing happened here... More black ink, graphite and marker. Finally I decided to add a few more colors, and a bit more white. I finished it by adding some random marks using my favorite art supply, Neocolor II water-soluble wax oil pastels by Caran d’Ache. I love the look of their strokes over paint.

Here is the finished piece. "Ombi-oynce" (2017) © SGTurner Art As always I love to share a few detail photos as well. (I love how they look together!)

Prints of "Ombi-onyce" detail photos

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Prints and some originals in this series are available for purchase.

Contact me if you are interested - sales@sgturnerart.com

Making an Art Journal - PART 3

Here is PART 3 in my video series "Making an Art Journal". It's starting to become something. Love watching it evolve, never sure just where I am going next.

This one stars my younger grandson, Amare. I cut him out like 3 times but he just decided he was GOING to get into the act ...and I got tired of editing. LOL

Enjoy!

  

(Read about Part 2 HERE)

  

          Gegi working in her journal

Making an Art Journal - Part 2

Jordyn               Gegi              Quaddy

After creating the art journals for my granddaughters, Jordyn and Gegi (Egypt) I got the word from my grandson, Quaddy (Quadir), that I HAD to make him one too. Since he saw theirs he has been leaving subtle reminders - he has been ripping blank pages out of my sketch journal, borrowing my Uni-ball pens and leaving his creations all over my place!

So I started his...

First step is preparing the canvas I use for the cover. Some people like to use chipboard or cardboard for the cover, I like the feel of the canvas. Its flexible and feels like ART!

So I get some 8oz canvas. Now here's a tip for you. FORGET the canvas you buy on a bolt. TOO pricey! I bought mine at Home Depot. 

Yup, it's a canvas drop cloth. You get a canvas dropcloth, aka rectangle of canvas, in size 6' by 9' ...so for $10.98 you get approx. 50.3 sq. feet of canvas (or about $.20/sq. ft.) 

I compared that to some other places:

   JoAnn's Fabric:  One yard of 54" wide for $10.19 PLUS shipping - over $.75/sq ft.

   ebay: One yard of 60" wide for $6.25 plus $4.95 shipping - over $.75/sq.ft.

   Amazon: One yard (width?) for $7.99 plus shipping - definitely more, even if the piece is 60" wide

Crazy huh? Got to love Home Depot! Yeah, I love getting something of equal value at a cheaper price. I am always on the lookout for these kind of deals.

So, once I have purchased the canvas and got it home, the next step is to give the canvas a bath. It softens up the canvas. I tend to like the look it has when you give it a hot tea bath. AND before you get excited,  that's the extent of any cooking you will find on this here blog! I boil the water, drop in a bunch of tea bags and then throw in the canvas (usually cut up into smaller pieces). I let it soak a couple hours and then rinse in cold water and let the pieces air dry. 

After the canvas is dry I prepare for the art! 

NOTE: Remember in my last post I admitted to hating to write, well I do. And right now I have reached my daily limit so to continue the story, here is a video of the next steps:

Did you like it? Haha...when I edit my videos I play the same clips over and over to get the timing, captions and music just to my liking. Well when I played the part where I tell my grandson that there is nothing to help me with, I crack up. EVERY time! I mean, I don't even recognize myself. WHO is that calm, patient woman?!

Any who...tune in for my next part in the process, coming soon.