Friday, September 17, 2010

my best...

One of the things on my to do list was to try a few new mediums including the Golden clear tar gel, which I have tried before, but not with the two Golden fluid acrylic colours that you add to make the encaustic look... the two colours that you add are 'quinacridone/nickel azo gold' and 'interference blue'.  I added half a drop of the first colour and two of the second to about 1/4 cup of tar gel... I brushed it on the bottom pale green part of this background above and it gave a yellowy waxy look to the paint.  Next I am going to try and add more detail to the background before I brush on the tar gel mix. 


On the top part I tried a one part crackle medium (this is something I am sure many of you have tried but I have never given it a go, until now)... I first did a coat of thin white paint over a patterned paper and then brushed on the crackle medium (the thicker the medium the bigger the cracks).  As it was drying red tones from the patterned paper started coming through.  Must be some kind of chemical reaction with the medium and the red ink that the paper was printed with.  I brushed another layer of paint on top to try and cover the pinky colour but it didn't really work.  So although this is not what I was wanting for this piece it does have potential.  I think the crackle medium might be best used on patterned paper that doesn't have any red ink in the design.

We have school holidays coming up soon so I will try a few more ideas with these two mediums and let you know how I get on.  I might also focus on a few experiments after my exhibition is finished.



A friend from work gave me this sweet little badge for my birthday... from now on at work it can get a little hairy with students frantically trying to get ready for their end of year assessments and they often come into my storeroom wanting things asap... as in yesterday.  So she thought this badge was just the right thing... so cute.

12 comments:

patty said...

First of all, I adore your new badge - just perfect and such a great reminder! And second,I didn't know there was a way to get the "encaustic look". I love encaustic and have done it in a workshop, but not sure I have the where-with-all to set it up at home, so this is perfect. Thanks - I look forward to hearing more about your new mediums!!

Mindy Lacefield said...

yeah....i'm excited to see how this comes out. i love encaustic too but the fumes are toxic and i don't have a good ventilation in my studio. i love that you are experimenting. i haven't tried the tar gel (now its on my list!)

i have done the crackle medium but i like when it applied very thick. so yummy!!

hugs girl
xo

softearthart said...

I love the gentleness of your work Katherine, all mellow and soft, just like you. cheers Marie

Jacqueline said...

It's always such fun to try out new mediums!! I'm really curious as to how gel will turn out. :) I adore encaustic painting and have fist learn about it from very talented artist Cathy Nichols, i really adore her encaustic paintings. :) Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

jacqueline
http://www.jqlinesocuteithurts.typepad.com/

Unknown said...

I like how it turned out and the pink seeping through looks so soft and pretty! I totally want one of those badges to wear to work, love it! Where did your friend get it? Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely creations. :)
♥Jenny

Anonymous said...

Cool badge. I need it. Love how the paper turned out!

Micki Wilde said...

The badge is cute!!

I am so glad you put this up on your blog, I still haven't opened my tub of tar gel yet, the poor thing must be getting jealous of all the other golden mediums I have been using ;)


Micki x

erin carver said...

The background is looking gorgeous (even if not what you originally hoped for it...sometimes those turn into the best pieces) and I loved reading about your experiments with the new mediums. I'm only just about to venture into the Golden range myself and am excited about having a play with what they offer!
and that wee badge is the best ever! so appropriate and how thoughtful of your friend. hope you are all on track for your exhibition...very exciting for you (and busy times I bet)! I hope I can get up for a visit while it's on to come see it xx

Diane said...

You always have such great tips and techniques to share. I too love the look of encaustic but really have no good ventilation for it--I actually have those golden colors --so all I need is the tar gel--thank you again for sharing and always inspiring.

Diane said...

You always have such great tips and techniques to share. I too love the look of encaustic but really have no good ventilation for it--I actually have those golden colors --so all I need is the tar gel--thank you again for sharing and always inspiring.

C. said...

Hey- thanks for posting this, now I can't wait to try the tar gel and the two colors. I'm going to add this post to my favorites list! You are definately one of my favorite people today!

chrissy said...

i LOVE your best. it is better than any bests i know.
keep swimming....and experimenting.
xo
c