Stuart J. Gourlay's Blog – May 2013 Archive (2)

In your efforts to loosen up your paintings by using such brush alternatives as old credit cards, you may be suffering from "brush withdrawal".  Here are some ideas to help you through the transition:

#1.  Pick a catchy name for your credit card:  I used an expired AAA (American Automobile Assn.) card and though of renaming it my Amazing Art Applicator or my Almost Abstract Art card.  You could name…

Making Textured Panels

Materials for and preparation of the panels:

I use 1/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard) or 1/4" finish grade plywood (birch is less porous than oak). I buy 2 ft by 4 ft sheets (about $10) at the home store (Home Depot) and cut them up on my table saw to size. I most commonly make 9" by 12", 11" by 14" and 12" by 16" panels.  After…