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Richard Waller
This may not be the best place to do this, but I was wondering if
anybody would be interested in exchanging unique or unusual techniques,
handling procedures and even product input for acrylics.
I have been working in acrylics exclusively for several years and feel
I have developed some successful techniques in handling and using this
product that I have never come across in any of the many books I have
picked up over the years.
To me, acrylics present the most versitle medium available, but only
because I have had to solve many problems in working with them. I am
sure many of you have also discovered exciting ways to use acrylics
that I would be facinated to learn.
If there is interest, or perhaps a better place to do this I would
appreciate any input.
Thanks,
Rich Waller
Jay Elless
In article <4sj2f0$a...@dfw-ixnews10.ix.netcom.com>, ric...@ix.netcom.co says...
>If there is interest, or perhaps a better place to do this I would
>appreciate any input.
Here's as good as your going to find, so share with us some examples
and maybe we can give you some in return. I have a lengthy Art Tips
file that I haven't posted in quite a while, so maybe I'll do so soon.
-
+++++++++++++++++++
Jay Elless
+++++++++++++++++++
Kajojacobs
In article <4sj2f0$a...@dfw-ixnews10.ix.netcom.com>,
ric...@ix.netcom.com(Richard Waller ) writes:
>To me, acrylics present the most versitle medium available, but only
>because I have had to solve many problems in working with them. I am
>sure many of you have also discovered exciting ways to use acrylics
>that I would be facinated to learn.
I couldn't agree with you more - love acrylics for many assorted reasons -
I faithfully wear it on everything I own. Since I'm still trying to solve
a lot of the mysteries of the medium, I would hesitate to announce
anything that has worked the same way twice - but that has more to do with
my lack of disipline than anything else. Mainly, I love the freedom to
forget the fat-over-lean restraints and go for the visual results without
regard to chemistry (within reason.)
* * * * *
Actually, I just realized that I must have cancelled a call-for-help
message a few days back - do you or anyone else know what the best
material is to place between acrylic paintings, unframed, gallery wrapped
and painted around the edges. In traveling with a bunch of these, I
protected them with the paper corners that came on the original
commercially stretched canvases and was told later that when the corners
were removed some of the paint came, too. Maybe it was just that paper -
felt like it might be clay coated. But the paintings are unprotected and
subject to rubbing in transit - any ideas?
* * * * * *
Back to your subject - I'm particularly interested in texturizing the
surface of the canvas and in additions that add to a textural build-up -
visual more than actual. What have you got?
~Karen Jacobs~
Richard Waller
I have found that even finished acrylic paintings can become somewhat
tacky when exposed to very warm conditions. If something is pressed to
the acrylic that is absorbant, I can see the potential for the paint to
lift. Paper is not only absorbant, but slightly abrasive so I would
use a polyethylene (such as a freezer bag or something similar) as a
slip sheet the next time you ship.
Texturing: I'm sure you have used the acrylic modeling pastes that are
available, but they tend to have a pretty short shelf live. What I
like to do is keep a variety of silicas (sand) aroung varying from as
coarse as playground sand to as fine as flower. These I mix with gel
mediums which are in various viscosities depending on how stiff you
want. This procedure is also much easier to add color to than modeling
paste.
good luck, Rich
Kajojacobs
In article <4so1s8$7...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>, j...@tejas.com (Jay Elless)
writes:
>>Back to your subject - I'm particularly interested in texturizing the
>>surface of the canvas and in additions that add to a textural build-up -
>>visual more than actual. What have you got?
>
>Geez Karon, The sky's the limit when it comes to texturizing with
>acrylics. Because the acrylic medium is such an excellent glue, the
>possibilities are limitless.
Geez, Jealous, That's exactly why I've committed so much time to it -
I'm just here picking brains to see if someone's got something I haven't
tried yet. In reality, we could write a book about acrylic technique and
the addition of "whatevers" but it still boils down to what the "artist"
can or can't do with it.
~Karen Jacobs~
Kajojacobs
In article <4soti8$a...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, steph...@aol.com
(STEPHENZEZ) writes:
> Also I was making a repro of a Keith Haring painting as a birthday
>present for a friend who adores his stuff... so you know how his
>paintings are full of "stick-figure" lines right? .... I had trouble
>getting the (acrylic) paint to glide on
>and cover well...
Coverage can be improved by adding just enough white to the color to make
it more opaque without changing the intensity.
~Karen Jacobs~
Jay Elless
In article <4slj6o$o...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, kajoj...@aol.com says...
>Back to your subject - I'm particularly interested in texturizing the
>surface of the canvas and in additions that add to a textural build-up -
>visual more than actual. What have you got?
Geez Karon, The sky's the limit when it comes to texturizing with
acrylics. Because the acrylic medium is such an excellent glue, the
possibilities are limitless. Everything from sand-like to gravel-like
can be used. Only restriction that I can see is the mechanical one
of too much weight for the substrate to support. In other words, there
is a limit to how much weight the glue will hold and even if it does
hold, how does it affect what it is being held up by.
What I really enjoy about the acrylic experience is the ability to
incorporate collage elements and transfers into the painting.
--
+++++++++++++++++++
Jay Elless
+++++++++++++++++++
STEPHENZEZ
Hi there
I've been just starting out painting and I would LOVE to hear all about
your "Fave Closely Guarded Acrylic secrets and techniques"(stuff u don't
find in books) :-)
Maybe you could post it all?
Anyway ... a question... I've recently been trying to learn
glazing techniques with oil over "grisaille" monochromes ( a la ' Van Eyck
' ) ... beautiful stuff !
I've been unsuccessful at doing this with acrylics... even using Golden
light/gloss gel/medium for example. Any suggestions ? - - or is it just
something that can't be done with acrylics? I suspect that equal results
can't be achieved... too bad if that's the case cause it'd be so awesome
to work at the speed of acrylics instead of having to wait for coats of
oil to dry;
Also I was making a repro of a Keith Haring painting as a birthday
present for a friend who adores his stuff... so you know how his
paintings are full of "stick-figure" lines right? .... I had trouble
getting the (acrylic) paint to glide on
and cover well... in other words I had to keep redipping my brush every
couple of centimeters... was a real drag... took a really long time when I
imagine that Kieth Haring did it much more swiftly... I mean for ex that
I imagine he painted a limb
(or one side of a limb) on a stick figure in one shot with one loading of
the brush (maybe I'm wrong?)... any suggestions ? ? ... or maybe there's
something more fundamentally wrong with my technique? (By the way I
used Liquitex in a tube and then got slightly better results w/ Liquitex
in a jar...cobalt blue for ex)
- many thanks in advance, Steve
Kajojacobs
> The sky's the limit when it comes to texturizing with
>acrylics. Because the acrylic medium is such an excellent glue, the
>possibilities are limitless. Everything from sand-like to gravel-like
>can be used.
>What I really enjoy about the acrylic experience is the ability to
>incorporate collage elements and transfers into the painting.
Did'ja see the review in Art in America - July '96, p. 85 - of Ghada
Amer's embroidery and gel medium on canvas? (you'll want the magnifying
glass for this one.) Not a new idea, threads-on-canvas has been done -
what hasn't - but it got the juices going in the "fine line" department (a
natural extention for one who has made many miles on a Singer in a
previous life.)
~Karen Jacobs~
Spero226
---
Karen--If you are looking for a textured surface why start with canvas
think of using acrylics on other surfaces (I have painted on spackle to
achieve a good texture). Also try using many layers. think about
combining paint and varnish with other materials. Coat each layer with a
acrylic sealer like is used for crafts (don't know of any varnishes made
by the acrylic paint companies that work) and try rubbing the paint of a
different stages of dryness. I don't think acrylic paint has to be thick
to be rich. Second to the paint itself a good varnish, matt & glossy, is
the most important thing to have when using acrylics on alternative
surfaces. I don't know how long a mesh mash of materials will last but so
far nothing I've made in the last 10 years, using all sorts of stuff, has
fallen apart or faded.
To the guy with the sticking paintings. You need a good varnish sealer for
your paintings. Even sealed with many coats of varnish these will stick to
each other if they touch no matter what.
Kajojacobs
In article <4toi2g$a...@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, sper...@aol.com (Spero226)
writes:
>
>---
>Karen--If you are looking for a textured surface why start with canvas
>think of using acrylics on other surfaces (I have painted on spackle to
>achieve a good texture).
Haven't used spackle but most of the polymer pastes and gels, with and
without additions - also trying various tools and trowels which leave
asssorted tracks on the surface - Home Depot is a great source.
> Also try using many layers. think about
>combining paint and varnish with other materials. Coat each layer with a
>acrylic sealer like is used for crafts (don't know of any varnishes made
>by the acrylic paint companies that work) and try rubbing the paint of a
>different stages of dryness. I don't think acrylic paint has to be thick
>to be rich.
Supposedly, acrylics lose their "bond" when thinned with too much water -
seems to me that as long as a good layer of polymer medium is applied
intermittently this would not be a problem. I have noticed some slight
lifting of dry color on paper towels when "erasing" other marks. Haven't
used craft varnishes - what is the advantage?
>Second to the paint itself a good varnish, matt & glossy, is
>the most important thing to have when using acrylics on alternative
>surfaces. I don't know how long a mesh mash of materials will last but
so
>far nothing I've made in the last 10 years, using all sorts of stuff, has
>fallen apart or faded.
Is there a consensus regarding a general preference for gloss, satin or
matte finishes on acrylic paintings? I've used them all on varying
textures and am sometimes unsure which I prefer.
~Karen Jacobs~
Binky B
Call the major paint manufacturers--Winsor & Newton, Grumbacher, Daniel
Smith, Golden, et al.--most of whom have technical people on staff to
advise you about how specific kinds of paints behave, and how their
particular brands work. Also, see THE PAINTER'S HANDBOOK by Mark David
Gottsegen and THE ACRYLICS BOOK by Barclay Sheaks. Let me know what you
learn, as I paint in acrylics, too.