Always Something New

Wine and Song
Mixed Media 40cm x 60cm
300gsm Arches CP Watercolour Paper
Varnished on Cradled Panel
Not sure if I could ever become bored with my art as everyday I seem to attempt something totally new. I have just finished this watercolour and collage painting and used another tip from Karlyn Holman in regard to using real leaf stencils. These were selected from my glory vine a few days ago and put into the freezer. Apparently this process is necessary for them to lie flat. They are painted on the back and left to dry overnight on the painting. After removing them and working with the collage glued in place watercolour is added to create something unique. I decided to go with the grape feeling using negative and positive shapes for fruit and more leaves. I am keen to play with mixed media so have picked some more leaves to freeze as they are fast dying back and this will mean I can have a supply anytime I need whilst the vine is dormant.
I have decided to mount this painting on a cradled wooden panel so once it has been varnished it can be hung as is with no additional framing required. I sprayed firstly with a fixative and then a couple of clear gloss varnish and once this was dry I have used golden soft gel medium to adhere it to the panel. It is drying now for 24 hours and then I will add the final coats of varnish.
One would think this would work out much cheaper than having a watercolour framed with glass but in fact the cost is about the same. The panels are not cheap and then there are all the medium, sprays and varnish costs too. The reason I am doing this is to be able to exhibit some paintings to appeal to those who do not like the weight or glare of watercolours behind glass. I must admit I also like this no glass and frame look for those of my paintings that have collage as I think they have a more contemporary feel.

Comments

  1. This is so lovely Lorraine! I just mounted my first watercolor, and I love how it looks! I love all the texture and details in this piece - really wonderful!

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  2. Wow, Beautiful piece Lorraine! I love the colors and textures. Mixed media is your thing I think. Thanks for the thoughts on the lack of price differences too.

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  3. Your collages keep getting better and better, Lorraine. This one evokes the same feelings I get when I look at a Chagall painting. So full of imagery and imagination - beautiful!

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  4. I look forward to your posts, and seeing what you are coming up with next. This is another fascinating method and makes a beautiful and exciting painting

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  5. What a fabulous piece Lorraine, the whole thing just works, love the composition, colours, shapes!!! Have come across other artists varnishing etc like this and they too said the cost isn't dissimilar but as you say, great contemporary feel. Still need to do something from Karlyn's book as I love mixed media too.. new direction for you maybe?

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  6. This must look fantastic on a wall! All those soft colors are a joy to look at.
    I did have two waterpaintings framed recently and I was amazed at the cost. Your alternative isn't cheaper but it is something new. You must feel good about this one.

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  7. I love the work of Karlyn Holman and her way of teaching. Your experiment is very lively and truly reflects your original creativity. I appreciate your notes on the problem of watercolor without glass. . Have a great week and a lot of happy painting!!

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  8. This is just gorgeous!!! I love the different layers of this!!! I will have to look up how she had you use the leaf stencils.

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  9. This is fabulously creative , a wonderful piece of art...and so inspiring too , got some good ideas here ! I never sprayed or varnished my watercolors, but I am definitely going to try it as I prefer frames with no glass. Wish you a nice start of the week. xx

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  10. Thanks everyone for your wonderful feedback. I have been working for two days to complete the varnishing of this piece and am so nervous of this process I would rather paint any day

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  11. I love everything about this work ,Lorraine! Gorgeous textures and colors. It will look great mounted on a board, thank you for sharing this tip!

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  12. Lorraine - this is breathtaking. I love the colors and the composition. It really sings. Just a wonderful work.

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  13. Thanks Celia and Debbie, varnish now finished and painting hanging on my studio wall

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