Tuesday 11 November 2008

SECOND WATERCOLOUR ON GESSO

This is my second attempt at this technique, but this time I put the gesso on with a knife and much thicker. I also tinted it a little pink to make a warm glow through the glazes.

Its a view of Wells Next the Sea on the north Norfolk coast, which I cropped to make a square painting. I think the composition works well in this format, even if I left out things (particularly a larger central pole and lots of little boats) from my original photo .


Its not quite as 'clean' as my first work in this technique, but then it was not such a sunny day - more like scudding rain clouds actually. As you can see its not finished yet, needing another layer on the buildings on the right, the rigging on the black and white Albatross boat and some detail on the quayside wall. Maybe a little more detail on the staging including the metal posts for mooring. Didnt realize how much more there was to do.

9 comments:

Anita Davies said...

Oooh, you did it! I've been dying to give this gesso thing a go for a while but just haven't had the time. It's coming along nicely Joan and I think the more subtle colours suit the piece and weather conditions well.

Claudia said...

I think your wc on gesso paintings are wonderful! I have tried this technique, too, because I once read that the colours will glow more than on "normal" wc paper. And it is right; but the most interesting thing - in my opinion - is that the gesso gives the wc some structure and therefore makes the painting more interesting.
And I like the "feeling" when you paint with your brush on the gessoed surface! I should try it again (I did it 4 or so years ago...)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks Anita but I think I prefer to cleaner purer colours of my first attempt on the previous post.

Hi Claudia - they are quite fun (and easy to adjust!!) but this second one I added the gesso with a knife and its smoother. Look forward to seeing your return to this technique.

Robyn Sinclair said...

I like this one very much, Joan. The texture works wonderfully in the sky and the more subdued colours give it real atmosphere. Fascinating technique that you are tempting me to try again.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Go for it Robyn... along with Claudia, Anita and others.

Hey Sandy (if you pop into this post!?) - have you noticed every one wants to try this technique. So glad I picked it up from your blog teachings.

Robert A Vollrath said...

I've been gone too long. All your work is wonderful.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Good to hear from you Robert. Hope all is well.

Sandy Maudlin said...

Hi Joan,
You're making this look easy. Actually, because of the wonderful lifting properties of the gesso, there's more room for corrections. Yea! Keep it up. And you really must try YUPO.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks Sandy - Ive searched the web all morning (yesterday) for a UK supplier of YUPO but to no avail.