Thursday, February 5, 2009

Backgrounds

Another background ready for painting. On this one I've decided to paint a pair of well worn work boots as soon as the weather allows. It has that kind of grungy look that I thought would work well with some old boots. I won't paint them too big because I want a lot more of the background visible. I don't want to cover some of my favourite areas. This one has a lot of layers. I kept painting and then sanding and scrubbing back to show different layers through and then painting over some of the ugly bits to cover them up and then more sanding and scrubbing. As its been too hot to paint detailed things its meant I've spent longer on the backgrounds. More layers and a combinations of different techniques has been fun to do.

60.9x60.9cm (24"x24") canvas

Now this background below I've posted before. Due to popular demand hehehe I've decided to do a peach painting on it. Not a bowl of peaches or a basket of peaches like the photo in an earlier post but a section of a branch complete with a few leaves and a nice big fat juicy peach dangling from it. Its all drawn on and ready to paint next week when the weather is cooler and I can open up the curtains and let in some light.

60.9x60.9cm (24"x24") canvas

I have one more canvas this size and I've just started work on the background. I'm planning to paint a section of a sunflower on that one but that could change depending how the background turns out. I do plan things but I also like to let things happen so sometimes the background turns out a little different and then doesn't suit the image I've chosen to paint on it. That happened with the work boot one. It started out with colours and patterns that would suit a harlequin but now it has evolved into something else.

I've just found some GAC200. Been on the hunt for that for ages and finally my local art store is stocking it YAY. I want to play around with aluminum foil in my collage/mixed media backgrounds and a little GAC200 mixed in my acrylic paint will ensure that the paint sticks to the aluminum. It gives a lovely metallic look as the aluminium shines through the paint. Can't wait to see what happens with that. Aw, one lifetime just doesn't seem long enough to try out all the things I want to try.

6 comments:

Doris said...

to see the plump peach hanging and sunflowers! Hope it cools down sonn for you!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry you've been so awfully hot. Yesterday my van door wouldn't open because it was below freezing here. So, you know, the grass....
I love your delicious new backgrounds and can't wait to see what you come up with. Just keep some ice water handy.

april said...

Both beautiful, Uta! Can't wait to see.

Uta said...

The forecast says two more days of heat. Its nearly over.

butterfly woman said...

Peaches and work boots. What wonderfully diverse themes. I am on edge of computer seat waiting. I like how you do not cover certain areas of background that particularly appeal to you. And how you do not always plan what will happen in the piece. Lovin' the backgrounds. One day at Marge's we painted some aluminum foil with acrylic paint, cool texture! Love how you're experimenting!!!

Laura said...

Uta,
I just love it when you can click on the image on the blog see up close that's great. love the backgrounds. good job of showing up to the canvas and not allowing and disappointment to over ride your thoughts even if the days are so hot it's hard to work. I'm sure your feeling a good day of accomplishment when you see that.