8/15/11

creative tuesday: moon

This week's theme for Creative Tuesday is moon.  I had a very vague, unformed idea to paint something .... maybe an abstract landscape-ish type thing (I generally love that genre), possibly use some mixed media.....  So I tried my first major attempt with acrylic paints.  Here's the progression of my WIP, incorporating the moon theme.....


Here's my start - kinda liked the touch of yellow in red (sunset-like) but I took the red all the way to the bottom of the canvas (16x20) and couldn't get a smooth meeting of the blue to the black edges.  Didn't like the not quite straight but not curved "horizon" line of red.  So....


Went back in and added torn pieces of textured rice paper to diffuse the black and red, plus I had the thought that it might add texture to the "land" part.  Moving on......


Above I added my moon, tried to drip paint a bit for the moonbeams (not terribly successful), used tape to create a sharp line which I like better.  But, I added the yellow back in but if that's the moon, the reflection should be white (doh!), a red angled horizon line was disturbing BUT, I did like the bottom section mix of colors and the soft line between the red and blue.  So.....


Here's where I am so far - straightened my red horizon line and turned the angle black, added a balancing black angle at the top, changed the yellow highlights to white.  I like that you can see the textures randomly through the paint; I like the blend of colors at the bottom; I like the composition; still not crazy about my drips but not sure how to fix them; may have too many white highlights so have to get rid of some?  Does it need another black "land mass" triangle into the red?  So, now I'm trying to decide if it's done or if I want to add more mixed media elements, another color? hmmmm

Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated since I'm truly a novice and certainly don't know what I'm doing....just trying stuff out!

Be sure to visit all the other creative types at Creative Tuesday hosted by Hot Toast & Jam!  And, join in if you're so inclined - any and all mediums are encouraged!  I'll also be sharing this on Paint Party Friday.

32 comments:

  1. I think the white highlights are awesome!
    I really like the blend of colour at the bottom too, and the way the texture shows through (I'm a sucker for texture :)
    I don't know why the red bit is red... or what it is, but I love it!
    Recently I've been trying to let myself paint/draw what I want to - ignoring what the logical part of my brain says things 'should' be like.
    I wouldn't have thought this was your first major acrylic!
    One of the things I just discovered with acrylics that is really fun and adds depth is to use very thinned out paint (thinned with water) and puddle it in places but put textured objects in the puddle - leaving them there until dry.
    Similar to using salt chunks in watercolour. I've used pieces of rice, bits of plastic mesh etc, then pick them off when dry.
    I wonder how the black would look with some slight variation in colour instead of being solid?

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  2. Oh, I love it! And i swear there's a big bug climbing out of that moon...an alien perhaps? This will be fun to see in the montage later this week!

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  3. Great picture Terrie. Love how you hav developed it! Hugs, Valerie

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  4. Love the finished picture together with your choice of colour and texture. You should be proud of your first acrylic painting.

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  5. this is beautiful! thanks for showing its evolution.

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  6. Love the finished picture....:)

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  7. Beautiful and creative twist! Love it!

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  8. This is really creative and unique... I really love your choice of colors, and seeing the progress....and I love the drip marks, wouldn't do a thing with those as they give a mystical look to the moon.

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  9. Wow, these colors pop right off the page! I like the texture you hae going on here too! Thanks for sharing the progress...i like seeing how people get to the finshed product! have a great day!

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  10. love the color choice in this

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  11. hi Terrie,
    thanks so much for your comment on my blog :)
    I posted a reply but will post it here too just in case :)

    I love that you let yourself use your vibrant new red for the landmass! I think it looks great that way :-)
    Texture with acrylic is one of my favourite things. (here's an example of extreme texture: http://divinitywithinity.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-love-with-texture-sculpture-painting.html)

    The easiest way to do large amount of texture is to glue textured items onto the canvas before painting, then paint over top (like you did with those pieces of rice paper). A few fun ideas: cheesecloth, tissue paper, shaped pieces of cut or torn paper, brown paper bag crumpled up, seeds, feathers, string...
    the list is endless! for light, thin things like tissue paper or cheesecloth, I use watered down glue, for heavier ones I use undiluted glue.
    You may notice that acrylic goes on glue very differently than on canvas - it has a semi-transparent look so it can take more layers if you want an opaque look.

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  12. I love seeing your process. Great end product!

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  13. That's what CT is all about--the process as much as the end result. I loved reading about it. Very effective piece with that splash of red to add vibrancy. And nice to see your style to add to the montage. Welcome, Terri. TY. :)

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  14. Great creating! lots of style coming out ~ enjoy, namaste,
    Carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF

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  15. Terrific textures and layers, am sure this is going to be superb when complete. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  16. Terrie, I like how you let us share the entire process. I can understand your thoughts, although I have to say that I liked the crooked horizon (but then I'm the "crooked" girl). The white highlights are beautiful and fit perfectly. I also like how the rice paper looks through very gently. I wouldn't add another black angle, the way it is now looks very harmonious. I'm also not sure about adding another color... it looks so good the way it is right now. And honestly, don't worry about the moonbeams !
    Thank you for your comment on my redhead girl - you really made my day!!!

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  17. When you are using rice paper, try spraying it with water and rolling it into a ball then openin git out and sticking it down to your base with some matt varnish. Pat the paper very gently with paper towel and leave to dry. You get great texture.

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  18. Wonderful seeing all the progress, Terrie!

    I love Moon paintings and yours is great!

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  19. Great painting and love the development of it. Looking good. Happy PPF!

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  20. I love your vibrant colors and the addition of the rice paper gave you some wonderful texture :)

    xo
    Kristin

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  21. Even though there are a lot of things you like about it, since you aren't sure, I think your painting wants you to keep playing. That's the fun of abstracts, only you can say when they are done.

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  22. Anonymous5:40 PM

    I think just trying stuff out is one of the best ways to learn. I like this and I immediately saw a landscape with a moon so it must be pretty good. :)

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  23. Great idea with the rice paper!

    Happy PPF!

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  24. LOve the paper texture and the black you added works great!

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  25. At each stage I was thinking "But I like it this way!" and then "Oh, she´s right, this new way is cool" :D
    I need to check that other challenge: hot toast and jam must be yummy. ;)

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  26. I love this - the bold colours, textures and composition are really effective. It is a real feast for the imagination - looking at it I kept imagining the story behind the scene. And it was great to be able to follow your process and progress.

    Kat :-)

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  27. I see the bug too,perhaps a cricket and its way cool like that!!!!!Love it!!!! Deb

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  28. Anonymous8:04 AM

    I really love the mood you created here, very mysterious.

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  29. THANK you for showing the stages of your work. It's helpful and inspiring to both see the steps and read your thoughts. I love the drippy moonbeams - ghostly and abstract. The black wedge makes such an impact. I was loving the painting as it was, and then I scrolled down to the black bit and AHA! It works so well.

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  30. I love when people show the stages!!! Very cool! I love how that rice paper made that texture!!! Beautiful!!

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  31. The textures are intriguing in this piece. Thank you for sharing the steps. I love seeing what artists DID to create their works! HAPPY PPF!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to add a comment. I value what you think!