Donna Arnold Art
  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Abstract
    • Figurative
    • Floral
    • Landscape
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

My Process for Creating Backgrounds

10/2/2017

2 Comments

 
In the beginning there is blank paper which is bright with possibility. My work gets a jump start when I can do some sort of background treatment on the paper. Of the many possibilities (and I'll talk about others later) one involves using watercolor on a handmade watercolor paper, Arches 140 lb. cold press. I select two complimentary colors say ultramarine and burnt sienna. I wet the paper and take a length of Saran Wrap and place it over the wet paper, pushing and creasing it until it seems interesting.  Then a round brush is used to drip two colors randomly under the edges of the Saran, tipping and moving the paper so the paint moves over most of the surface of the paper.  I let it dry overnight. Next day when the Saran is lifted off, beautiful surprise patterns emerge that will spark my imagination for a new painting.

Picture
This is the paper after the Saran has been removed.  What do you see?  A mountain range, drifted sand on the beach? If it is tipped other directions, new possibilities will pop.



Picture
Here is a piece I have begun to develop as a part of my Refugee series. I've added some collage papers and painted background, faces and hands. I'll develop the cloak before I'm finished, but it's a good start!​

2 Comments
Jan Hakes
10/3/2017 12:50:11 pm

Your talent is amazing.

Reply
Linda Renaud link
10/3/2017 02:05:13 pm

Wow, Donna!! I like this - a lot. Love your start with the refugee painting. Appreciate your soul...

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Artist Donna Arnold

    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Abstract
    • Figurative
    • Floral
    • Landscape
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact