Winter Sun
6" x 8" oil on panel
Available from my website $75.00
Its been quite awhile since I painted using a brush. A palette knife is my usual tool for painting these days and has been for about six or seven years.
I was asked to give a private class in painting in oils with a brush. I did hesitate, but painting is painting and the principles are the same, so I went ahead with it. It was an odd feeling, using a brush again, both uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. I advocate that anything that pushes you outside your comfort zone is a good thing and always teaches you something.
My student did beautifully with her piece and I liked, but not loved mine. It was simply different from what I was used to producing. Coverage wasn't as thick, application wasn't as quick and at this point in my art life, a brush felt more clumsy than natural.
Brush painting - Winter Sun
This image above is where I ended with my demo in the class and I confess that I switched back to a palette knife to complete the piece that evening.
Will I use a brush again? Absolutely, but not frequently. I still use brushes in glazing and with acrylics and watercolour, but for regular day to day use, they just don't seem to fit my style anymore. I have moved on and am firmly entrenched in the world of knives.
What is it about brush or knife strokes that appeals to you? Why do you use the tools that you do?
3 comments:
love all the colours in the shadow :)
I feel the same way about coloured pencils, love them but feel so odd using them now after doing so much digitally
Shadows are always better with colour in them. I so dislike those "black holes" that you see sometimes.
Its hard to go back once you've found your niche.
Funny how we turn away from things and then those things are so odd when we return. I really like your palette knife paintings for the looseness and the texture. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a great 2017 to come!
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