Subtractive Painting Techniques
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Subtractive Painting Techniques
Sometimes I feel like I’m doing the same thing all the time in the studio. Don’t get me wrong, that’s good for consistency in the work. But like many artists, I get into a rut, or get bored with what I’m doing, so I throw in some experimentation to get me moving forward.
In this video, you’ll find me doing math: adding, then subtracting. Say what? (I don’t even like math!) Of course it’s not math, it’s painting, but I can still add and subtract - with paint. You can’t take paint away if you don’t add it first. I’ll be demonstrating a fun technique that I have been using lately that involves removing paint from a surface.
Here is the process:
Add a thin wash of middle, to light-middle value paint to a textured surface.
I use a brush and plenty of water to begin removing some of the paint. I am doing this to have some variations in value and create some interest on the surface. I am also interested in how the thin paint settles into the lines of texture on the surface. It provides a sort of worn-in look and feel like a pair of old jeans. I liberally splatter with wet paint.
I then use a brayer to roll on some darker value paint.
I use a wet brush to remove parts of the paint I rolled on. I soften edges and remove pieces of the composition until it looks and feels right. Again I am watching the paint settle into the textured surface. I add plenty of splatter for interest.
Finally, I use some white fluid paint to drop in an area or two of light value that helps form my center(s) of interest.
That’s it - easy, peezy. And lots of fun! Give it a go and let me know how you like it.
If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of 2020 workshops HERE)
March 26-28 Franciscan Life Process Center, Lowell, MI. Contact Kathy Bechtel, Email: kbechtel@lifeprocesscenter.org. For information and registration Click Here.
April 3-4 Greenville, SC, Greenville Center for Creative Arts. Contact: Liz Rundorff Smith, Email: liz@artcentergreenville.org. For information and registration Click Here.
April 22-24 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. For information and registration, Click Here. Only 1 Seat Left!
May 1-3 Tubac School of Fine Art, Tubac, AZ. For information and registration Click Here.
May 20-22 Hill Country Arts Foundation, Ingram, TX. For information and registration Click Here.
June 12-14 Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Fort Smith, AR. For information and registration Click Here.
July 10-11 Art Alliance of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC. For information and registration email Liz Busch: artalliancegso@gmail.com.
As always, thanks for your support!
David
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