Gels & Mediums - What I Use

Gels & Mediums - What I Use

In between then and 2017 when I started painting again some bright spark came up with the idea of adding thick clear acrylic ie. colourless paint to Acrylic paint so that it would behave a little more like oil paint. And so, Gels and Mediums were born.

How to Mount Works on Paper onto a Cradled Panel

How to Mount Works on Paper onto a Cradled Panel

This week I’m not going to inspire you, challenge you or even make you chuckle. I’m going to tell you how to take a work on paper and get it on the wall without spending a ton of money at the framers, and still achieving a result that looks like quality.

Substrates.... & Finishing

Substrates.... & Finishing

I love the idea of us all facing the same decisions as we inch our work closer to its’ completion. We start, we push paint around and we finish. The beginning and end of that process is what I will deal with here.

Are Your Knickers Showing?

Are Your Knickers Showing?

I haven’t built up enough surface yet, there aren’t the lumps and bumps that compel you to run your hand over the surface and touch it. In parts I can still see the gesso – it’s like seeing someone’s knickers when they should be tucked away. You can’t go out with your gesso showing!!

Is My Painting Finished? 5 ways to know

Is My Painting Finished?    5 ways to know

One thing I constantly keep in mind is that by adding more paint – even if it’s the wrong colour, doesn’t fix the original problem, or creates another; in the end it will only make the painting better. The surface will get richer, and I will be putting myself right in the place where I can discover something new.

Pivot towards Positivity

Pivot towards Positivity

Things only got worse. In a matter of days we were in national lockdown, my partners business closed and the kids at home for school. For a couple of days it felt surreal, as if we were playing out some blockbuster movie (without the paycheck). Email after email came through cancelling all activities and planned events for the foreseeable future. Normality was on hold and whatever we are living in now is it until who knows when.

Taking Risks (with feet firmly on the ground!)

Taking Risks (with feet firmly on the ground!)

Creative people are risk takers. Right? Wrong!! I have NEVER been a risk taker. I learnt to swim with my big toe bouncing along the bottom of the pool. During athletic sports I always pushed the hurdles over rather than bang my shins against them when attempting to leap over. My attempt at being a cool mum and going on the Scoobydoo ride at Movieworld literally ended in tears. I don’t ride horses. I don’t go near cows. I give swans and geese a wide birth. A critical and full analysis of every possible risk will usually steer me clear of activities involving speed, altitude, extreme temperatures, wildlife, some domestic life and getting my hair wet.