Traveling through a painting

Here's a quick look at my latest painting. I've only just started it and after a couple of layers some really interesting things are happening. Already there are gorgeous patterns, marks and real depth thats appearing.

Sometimes I love to get up close and personal to a painting to really see the textures and each little part on its own, all the parts that sometimes get lost when you look at a painting as a whole.

I also do this in art galleries, I like to get as close to a painting as possible (without touching it) to really admire each brush stroke or mark in its own glory. All these small elements are little gems that really add the beautiful depth, detail and soul to the whole painting!

I can't wait to see where this one goes!
Zoe :)

Watch me painting....

I love to paint abstract pieces, this one from last year show my process of building up layers. I love to see a painting appearing as if by magic on the page!

Experimenting with expressive colour

I love to paint

One of my favourite things it just just let loose and spread loads of acrylic paint all over the page.

I get my hands dirty by using my fingers to spread the paint which really helps me connect and get a really fluid finish.

Even adding some white gesso can help lighten things up and I sometimes create a quick texture at the end by using the wrong end of a paintbrush to draw lines in the wet paint.....why not have a go?! :)

Zoe xx

 

New Project #5daysoflayers

So after a break from painting this summer (Ive been busy on my jewellery stall!) I have felt the pull back to painting and what better way to start than with a new project!

5 days of layers is really a quick daily exercise. By doing 10 minutes of painting each day it's a great daily practice to help get my creative muscles moving!  Each day I work on the same page spread in my journal just adding more depth and detail each day.

This is also a great practice for being brave and taking risks. Covering up bits that you like and seeing what unravels in return. It's also great to experiment   with colour combinations and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

What not give it a try yourself?  After all, it's just a page of your journal so if you don't like the outcome, it doesn't matter. And I promise you will learn lots along the way!

Happy painting!
Zoe xx

"Patchwork Mandalas"

I have been loving the meditative practice of drawing zentangle - like mandalas recently. I unexpectedly came across mixing and matching different drawings together to create "patchwork mandalas".

This is really fun and means that I can keep drawing half mandalas and still use my original drawings to combine together in new patchwork images.

It's a great way of playing with composition and of combining different colours so it's nice to experiment.

I also think they look beautiful  with natural crystals sat on top. I think I'm going to have a play with some crystal formations and grids....here comesy spiritual side, yay! :)

Painting process, from start to finish!

The magic of hand painted silk scarves

So today I have started working on a batch of hand painted silk scarves. I approach silk painting in exactly the same way as watercolour paints.

First I start with a wax resist, then after that has set I go in with water and splattering paint and watch the magic happen. I let the natural flow of the water do its work and always get surprising and beautiful results!

Art Journalling - Abstract Paintings

So over the last week or so I have been dedicating my daily art practice to creating patterns (patterns everyday). I am really surprised that this simple exercise has already transformed itself into creating abstract paintings everyday in the form of art journalling.

I am loving this process and can't believe how addictive it is so wanted to share with you how it's going so far.