Pansy Face

Oil on canvas 8 x 9.5 inches.
I've become a bit obsessed with pansies at the moment. I'm sure it will pass :)

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Comment by Glenys Jones on September 27, 2016 at 17:12: many thanks Christine

Comment by Candi Hogan on September 25, 2016 at 2:44: Thanks Glenys, when I get better will go with the Belgian! For now, think when I run out of these will have some masonite cut and gesso. I used to use that when I painted large and really liked that surface. I know I am really guilty of contaminating my paint, I'm kind of a frantic painter and don't take the time to clean my brushes properly and I attack my canvas too...crazy.

Glenys, if you have the time, look up Julie Oliver Fords' work, think you will like it. I love her work, and she has a super personality, shows in her work (kind of like Dreama's does). So lucky that she is willing to mentor me, know I will improve with her direction!

Comment by Glenys Jones on September 24, 2016 at 17:43: I can't believe you have to travel that far for your art supplies! How often do you go?? Once a year for a big spend up?? you have become very resourceful to be able to make a lot of your own materials, even your gesso, good for you. I guess there is no other option. I'm fortunate I can take my pick in the big city of Melbourne - depending on which brand of paint I need. Google is very handy and utube videos , what would we do without it.

Candi, I wasn't aware of the canvas you mention, had a quick look on line and note it's cotton. The Belgian one I use is linen and has a very fine tooth, lovely to paint on. I do use another Dutch one, but as I purchased it ages ago in a roll, I've lost the label and can't remember what it's called. it's just as good to paint on.

don't waste your quick studies, if you were going to throw them out, what I do is gesso over them with two coats and do another painting. it's all practice. with the brushstrokes, a couple of things, make sure you have enough paint on your brush and make sure it's clean. I'm forever wiping off if by brush gets contaminated. it makes a lot of difference. Keep at it ^_ ^

Comment by Candi Hogan on September 24, 2016 at 0:09: Thanks Glenys! I have been using just the little Fredericks panels, as I was advised to do 100 quick studies and not worry about finishing them! This assignment is difficult for me though, as I always go back into them and try to finish somewhat! I have two shelves of Creative Mark, "The Edge" canvas too, and really like the surface of that, but hate to waste on these (supposedly) quick studies! I don't think it matters what I use though, I just can't lay in those beautiful strokes of yours!

Comment by Aurelia Sieberhagen on September 23, 2016 at 22:27: Thank you Glenys for your advice. We do get Fredericks here. Because I live so far away from everything (my closes art shop is 800km from me) I sometimes have to make my own stuff – lucky for YouTube that teach me lots of how to make your own things! I find that covering a board/paper/canvas with glue – normal craft or wood glue (I think in America you call it PVA) also work very nice. A nice recipe for making your own clear Gesso is: 1 cup white glue, ¼ cup water and 4-5 tablespoons marble powder – very similar to Liquitex Gesso (we don’t get that stuff here). That works nice for me too.

Comment by Christine Lewis on September 23, 2016 at 13:30: So beautiful and vibrant! These were my grandmothers favorite subject to paint...they are such a happy flower.
And your brushwork so nice and loose too. Great work!

Comment by Glenys Jones on September 23, 2016 at 12:04: thanks Sarah.

Candi and Aurelia. A lot of the canvases I use lately have had paintings I've done years ago when I was learning and I've covered them with two coats of Liquitex Professional Gesso, I wait 24 hours for the first coat to dry thoroughly. the canvas I use is Belgian, it's expensive and is very fine to paint on. I think it's worth it as I do get a better result. What canvas do you get in Africa Aurelia? And what canvas do you use Candi? The other canvas I used in class a lot was Fredericks , also good and not as expensive.

yes, I agree, Richard also seems to paint so effortlessly and makes it look easy, I don't find any of them easy, but that's what I love, the challenge. Don't give up Candi. I was about to wipe this one off half way through but decided to stick with it and am now glad I did.

Comment by Candi Hogan on September 23, 2016 at 2:42: Maybe we will find some solutions here Aurelia! I will try the linseed oil wipe, have to get out for the Acrylic Glaze Medium though.

Comment by Aurelia Sieberhagen on September 23, 2016 at 1:29: Yes, that is a question that bugged me as well! Even canvas paper or sheets I find absorb all the oil and make it feel likes chalk. I find that gesso doesn’t really work. I usually have to paint a glaze of linseed oil and wipe it off before I can start painting or I apply a layer of Acrylic Matt Glaze Medium on the canvas before I start painting with oils. I am therefore always thinking the overseas canvas is better than the ones we get in Africa. Watching Richard painting his demos and he always apply the paint so smooth over the canvas and mine doesn’t want to do the same!

Comment by Candi Hogan on September 23, 2016 at 1:02: Glenys, I have a question. You lay down the most beautiful strokes! I just did 6 quick oil color studies of a little light house on stiff paper, and they all turned out so pretty. Then I tried to paint one on canvas panel and I lose all of my strokes and colors blend...?. I'm wondering if I should gesso the canvas panels or what? Any suggestions? Just about ready to give up on oils!