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

 

Owls

Today I've been experimenting with a new direction for my work. The main influence for my work is nature and I've recently had the urge to paint an owl. I love the beautiful big eyes and somehow delicate frame of the barn owl so here is my interpretation of this amazing creature!

Lush Layer Love!!! ♡

So after being brave and pushing myself with my painted layering process I'm putting this new found love into practice.  By repeating the process I hope that it will make it easier each time and help to grow my creative confidence as I go, striving onward into the unknown!

Here I have started with some intuitive abstract painting.

Then adding a layer of stencilling in contrasting colours.

One of my favourite layers is then to go back in with blocks of paint that I smudge into the paper with my finger. This layer really helps to tie the previous layers together. 

Lastly I love to add in details with fine line pens, adding in doodles and decorative shapes that give a focal point. 

Painted Pattern Pages

I love creating patterned pages to use as collage papers.  I tear then up and use the pieces as added colour/texture/detail in the backgrounds of my paintings. A great way to start adding layers to create something totally unique to you! Love the process, that's where the magic happens!

Patterns Everyday- Expressions of the Sea!

Experimenting with monoprinting, layering acrylic paints with different stencilled patterns then drawing detail in at the end.

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.

Layer#23 Mark making, homemade style!

Today I really felt the urge to extend the arc that was appearing across the canvas.  It almost looks like a huge whirl of crazy paint that is literally engulfing the layer below just in the same way as a wave crashes in a torrent of white foam.

I have been quite expensive with this layer, creating my own mark making tools which includes a piece of cardboard that I used in the same way I would use a spatula, smearing and scraping the paint across the canvas.

I then used the wrong end of a paint brush to scratch into the think paint, creating interesting marks and texture.

It was then time for a contrast so I dipped a piece of string into some white gesso and proceeded to slap the canvas with the string. It left some beautiful strong marks all with a lovely curve to them.

I finished by using my fingers to splatter and spray the remaining white gesso (mixed with water) over the slapped areas.

I really enjoyed painting in this way, it made me feel really free and expressive, somehow coming away from it newly light hearted.

Layer#21 Blue acrylic arc

I don't know why I love blue so much but I do.maybe it's because I live by the sea?! That might explain the urge I had to create a large blue arc, I suppose it's quite representative of a wave.

I love the combination of creating bold solid colour with acrylic paint and then adding water to areas which loosens up the paint creating more of a transparent wash. Adding gravity to the mix creates these gorgeous striking streaky watery drips that cut their way across the piece.  Blue bold and beautiful!