I started this piece for a previous Reggie session
earlier this year, but was too embarrassed to take it
out and show to others, as it looked ugly and unfinished
to me. And, I did not know then, it was only one third
there.... A total throw- away, I thought. I have high
standards for myself, after all, I reminded myself. As
soon as I had decided that it was garbage, a stray
misbreed, I decided to "adopt" it, to rescue it, as
there was nothing to loose, but only to gain.
That is when I started layering. It was an adventure, a
journey, which I did not know where it would lead. First
the Mitchell nib in gray gouache on top of watercolor
romans. Then lines painted blue and white, drawn with
ruling pen and filled in, right between, and even on
top, of the romans. Then italic on top of the painted
lines. Between every layer I sprayed fixative like a
maniac to be able to letter on top of the previous
layer. |
Towards the end, I had sprayed so many times that the
ink was almost repelling, and skipping. As if I was now
lettering on top of plastic. Gum Sandrac did no longer
work at that point.
Let's be honest, I ended up with a hot mess. But again,
it was too late to throw it away. It had "turned" too
busy, too colorful, too much movement, too.... I need
something to calm it down, I thought, to give the eye
finally some rest and peace. To thank the eye for even
looking at it! That is when I added the simple stripes
in gilding. Most artwork uses gilding as a main
decoration, or precious accent, I used it as the most
unadorned part of my work.
Materials used: Arches watercolor hot press paper, Ken
Oliver's watercolor bursts, various colors of gouache,
Dr. Martin's white, watercolors, WN drawing ink, various
sizes of speedball C and Mitchell nibs, pointed brush,
ruling pen, 23K gold leaf laid on Instacoll. Overall
measurements of the piece: 22"x15 |
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