"When dawn spreads its paintbrush on the plain, spilling purple... ," Sons of the Pioneers theme for TV show "Wagon Train." Dawn on the mythic Santa Fe Trail, New Mexico, looking toward Raton from Cimarron. -- Clarkphoto. A curmudgeon artist's musings melding metaphors and journalism, for readers in more than 150 countries.

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Adobe Sunset...art lessons the hard way

"Adobe Sunset," 8 x 10 acrylic on canvas board

 
My do-it-yourself art schooling is a story of step by step learning, from lots of mistakes  and trying new things, based on ideas from books, videos and talks with artists.

This one completed today, a 8 x 10 acrylic on canvas board,"Adobe Sunset," was an attempt to paint with palette knives on a larger surface, compared to the small one posted about earlier, "Blue Tempest,"  when I wrote about by fascination with palette knives.

Main lesson learned: Don't use knives where exact details are needed. Go for the impression and texture. I know now why knives work best on  abstract and impressionistic work I put finishing touches and a few corrections on with brushes, and the rough texture made that difficult. I also need to mix more paint as the piece progresses to be able to duplicate what I'm after. 

But, I'm fairly happy with this. I'll put a varnish on it in about a week, and get it framed for sale at In Your Eye Studio & Gallery in Paseo Arts District. Another lesson--I will probably go back to brushes.

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