Sunday, April 15, 2007

Watercolour Canvas Sucks BUTT.

It's the truth. Watercolour canvas DOES NOT ABSORB WATER.
I know, I know. A more moronic thing I have not come across. Soooo, because it does not absorb water, you have to smear all your paint on the canvas in a thick and muddy fashion. Which completely destroys the transparency of it all which - to me - is the very *point* of watercolours.

I experimented on two blocks today. One covered in canvas and one covered in Absorbent Ground.

The Absorbent Ground I think will work *really* well. At this point I still like paper better but I'm pretty sure that's just because I'm used to the paper. I think if I do a few more works on the AG I'll positively love it.

So, examples of today's work...
The blue and orange flowers (posted first) were done on CANVAS (I have a whole pad if anybody wants to waste their time...). I have included a photo of the exeperimental work and then a close up of the layering...you can see how muddy it is (and wet-on-wet is IMPOSSIBLE to accomplish).
The purple and yellow flowers were done on Absorbent Ground. Again I have included the overall work and close ups on the layering - much more crisp and clear than the canvas.













Tomorrow I will be painting a human figure on the AG. I look forward to it and am sure it will work out well. I have it composed so I will draw it up tonight.

I also can't wait to apply varnish to the AG works.

With love,
Sarah.

1 comment:

Hope said...

The blue flowers are still lovely, but the purple and yellow look more like signature-Sarah style. I can see more of your hand in that painting, and more of your enjoyment in the colors and texture.

I'm glad you're finding new mediums, though, even the ones that you wind up hating!