Painting and mixed media process photos.

I wanted to write up a post sharing the photos I had taken during the process of painting and developing my final pieces. Which might better illustrate the way the paint changes and the process I had to go through to create this effect.

Below is my first proper try at paint pouring from a cup. The mixture for this was a good dollop of acrylic paint then PVA glue. I mixed these two by eye and feel adding a little water when it felt it wasn't quite fluid enough. Then layered each colour over the over in a plastic cup. This was really trial and error as you soon realise how strong certain colours are and how they can merge into new colours. 

You literally pop the canvas on top of the cup and then flip it and pour and move it about the surface so that it covers more area. This is when the colours really start to play around each other. I had issues with this one because I used mount board and it started to warp and leak the paint off the side so I had to try and level it about until it started to dry a little creating a border around the edges. 

It was fascinating watching it start to dry. The colours deepen and the ripples really start to pop out of the surface. I noticed it almost had little air pockets that created a textured surface as it dried. It sort of marbled and swirled. I was really taken by this technique.

I tried a black and white cup pour and it didn't work as well. I had to add the white to the surface of this one as the black had completely eaten it. I don't know if it was maybe the paint I was using wasn't playing well together or it was just because black is to potent it will erase the other colour.

I had decided this would be the method I used for my final mixed media piece. Which I explain in my evaluation and sketchbook. This method really worked for what I wanted it to be. I was more selective with the colours I used and how much I wanted them to play a part. for instance I really wanted the pink to shine through as it is my colour and it perfectly emerged through the other colours.

I poured my final onto wooden discs as they would withstand the fluid paint and give it a even surface to sit on. My flat is lop sided so I still have to keep an eye on it incase it started to tip over but It worked out great. 

 As you can see this dried a little darker and deeper, and that pink really pops. That's what I was aiming for to keep that pink vibrant. This technique although it looks simple really isn't all that simple. Its unpredictable. You need to know which colours you want where. You can put the more desirable colours at the bottom so they show on the surface more which is what I did with the pink. The blue and yellow really merged to make a deep green which works so good with the pink.

I embedded words from a book into the black paint which had a lovely feel to it when it started to dry. The words could stick to the surface without being submerged. This method i couldn't use with the colour version as it was a little more fluid in that respect.

This is the method which led me to paint pouring. I was beginning to use this technique for my Paint unit. Inspired by Ian Davenport. I was initially drawn to his Splat work which had an element of paint drip. I couldn't find a safe place to fully try a full force splat, but I loaded up my paint brush and attempted a more subdued version. I think if I had time I'd have taken it somewhere outside and go for it but his is another idea for the future. I love Ian Davenports work. I also took inspiration from Bridget Riley's stripe work. The colour work in both their work is incredible.

This little ripple of paint from my paint drips sparked my idea for paint pour. Those ripples!

I had started on a couple of initial thoughts for what I wanted my final painting to be about and represent. and it was more to do with the work I did in my mixed media pieces that fueled this part. I wanted to show my mental health my own way. So that there is a back story to this painting. That black 'wave' represents the darker days. I hold my hand up to it and stop it by creating this wave of colour and flowers. I always wanted to use collage in my painting inspired by Rowan Paton who i incidentally discovered doesn't technically use paper collage in all her work. It is a digital print. But the actual look of her work really inspired me so I took that element. 

I felt like I could incorporate the paint drip into my collage as if the colour is dripping down from these flowers. Distinguishing the blackness, or trying to. 

Instead of paint pouring from a cup I discovered a new method by playing around. Adding each colour one by one so that they touch but not really moving the canvas about. Just filling in the spaces with colour. Distributing the colour evenly. I found this very therapeutic.

As this one dried it really changed. I realised the red was quite overpowering and make it appear darker than I would desire normally. But it was a technique that was fun to create.

This trio I tried without the Red and you can see a distinct difference. I had issues with the lop sided flat issue again so in some areas it started to muddy a little. but as it dried those edges really popped through. It turns into a totally different painting when it's dry. there is texture where you wouldn't imagine it. 

The last few photos are from my final painting in process. As you can see i propped up the canvas to keep it level. This process takes a couple of days as the paint it much more fluid and needs the time to dry. I am still unsure how much I like the overall effect of the paint pour against all the other elements. I think I could have made is a bit bigger and chose my colours a little better as some are lost. I suppose as always it looks better in person as you can see the texture and colours more accurate. and witness the layers involved.