Tuesday, December 30, 2008

acrylics = love/hate relationship...

I've always had a love/hate relationship with acrylics and I think the "hate" is growing steadily with each painting. I'm starting to get seriously frustrated by the rapid drying nature of acrylics. I'm thinking of trying out oil paints or maybe just buying some acrylic paint retardant. Or maybe it's the fact that I'm using really cheap student grade acrylics? Either way it's driving me nuts and I think I'll dive back into watercolours and gouache in the meantime... Possibly dry media...


water lilies
acrylics on canvas, 8x10
(commissioned piece)

This was referenced off a few water lily photos I looked up on Google, combined arbitrarily in my head... I'm still struggling a lot with composition - does anyone have any book or class recommendations for this?

Since this is likely my last post of the year, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! :)

Monday, December 22, 2008

quack quack

I've always had trouble in my acrylic painting class when it came to the lessons involving the use of warm & cool colours / complementary colours. I often find it difficult to bring the whole picture together, compared to the old masters' palette (aka everything is brown-tinted).

So here is another attempt at the whole warm & cool colour thing, as well as looser brushstrokes... I definitely need more practice with composition as well!


rubber ducks
acrylics on canvas, 8.10"
(commissioned piece)

Oh and happy holidays everyone! :)

Saturday, December 20, 2008

fruits & veggies

I now have this little set-up in my basement for painting, and this is the first artwork to come out of it! I'm not too happy with my painting technique or the fact that I had to rely on the old master's palette, but I guess this is what happens when I'm tight on time...?


fruits & veggies
acrylics on canvas, 8x10"
(commissioned piece)