Now - odd as you may think it - it came to pass that these good people's wishes were fulfilled, just in the very way they had wished it; for, not long afterwards, they had a little boy who was quite healthy and strong...
Well, here's the next one in the series. I'm going to break from the story for awhile to work on a still life to practice color. Then, another something else unrelated and quirky, and then back to the story again!
I changed from paper to canvas this time. Typically, I use the 140 weight watercolor paper but wanted to see what my stuff would look like on another surface, so I purchased a Fredrix Canvas Pad. It's preprimed with acrylic and accepts any medium. I wonder what you guys think about how the surface looks...I get lots of the cross-hatching from the medium texture, which I'm not sure adds to or detracts from my overall result. I was also surprised to feel how floppy the canvas was - it's literally canvas, so I'm on the fence as to using it again.
In addition to critiques, can any of you let me know what kind of paper/canvas you use/would use for acrylic painting? Or have you heard of paper that's popular? Is this canvas idea okay? I'm full of questions and'll probably pose the question on the SCBWI boards as well.
Anyhow, I'd enjoy reading your thoughts! Thanks y'all.
4 comments:
Hi Pete, This is great....haha. Love how he is carving them each out.
I usually only paint acrylics on stretched canvas (I but it from Dick Blick). I have painted on canvas paper, but like you I don't like how floppy it is or the background texture.
This doesn't look much different than your paper paintings, so maybe it is what you see in person. It does seem a little less smooth, but it doesn't distract.
I guess go with what works for you and is quicker. :)
This is very creative Pete! What a great idea, making carvings out of the trees, especially having the dad newly finishing the one of Tom.
The stump and the larger tree in the background seem flat to me, just at the edges. Maybe if there was a long shadow at the edges of those, it would help round them out?
I love how you get such a shiny look from the metal elements in this. A very nice highlighting technique.
I've painted on canvas sheets before and the key for me was to give them a few more coats of gesso and then SAND the top with some fine sandpaper until it becomes smooth. I've liked the results much better that way. I don't think the texture here detracts from your painting at all, but you might prefer a smoother texture just because that is what you are used to painting on. Also it helps to tack the sheet down to a piece of masonite board with rolled up tape on the back corners -- then you don't get the floppy effect while you're painting. You might like to buy some yards of unprimed canvas and do all of the gessoing (and sanding) yourself for a nicer texture as well. I've used Fredrix before too though, and extra coats and sandpaper really do help there.
Thanks for the comments!
Also, thanks for the advice about the paper/canvas. I've also heard of using illustration board, so I've got a few choices to sort out. I like the idea of not sanding if I don't have to - one less step! :) But, if that's what gives me the quality I'm looking for, then so be it.
Thanks again for your insight!
This is fantastic and very creative, so I second that! I think it's awesome you're doing this story, it kind fell into the back of the fairytale line over the years. :)
As for the paper/canvas. If you're going to use illustration board be sure to take gesso and paint a large "X" along with a cross on top of that on the back. If you don't the board will warp big time.
My dad use to paint on gessoed paper for some of his acrylics. Gesso paper, and if needs be sand it like Carmen said, and try that. There are so many options.
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