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 :)

Patterns Everyday #1

Doodles and watercolour painted patterns-creating my own pages to college with!

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.