Tuesday 3 June 2014

Bluebells Abstract

I have been quite determined to paint and put together another painting using my lovely doilies. I wanted to do something based on a bluebell wood, so thought I had better get around to it before I forgot what they had looked like. They grow quite well at the bottom of my garden under the trees, and because I am so used to them being there, I have never bothered to take photographs.
Anyway, not too important as it will be a very abstract interpretation.

I started by putting a fairly wet blue and green wash onto some rough paper, and where it puddled I used a straw to blow it into the centre of the paper which I had left white and dry. I tried to vary the strengths of the colour especially in the blue area.

When it was completely dry, I used some quite strong colour to try to define some flower shapes growing up to the pale centre. I then used the edge of a narrow strip of mount board, dipped into green paint, to add stems and leaf shapes.



I then painted a d'oily with the same colours as the original wash, but using less diluted paint as the surface of the paper has a slight gloss which prevents it absorbing colour very easily. I tore up the inner part into usable pieces and I used a hole punch to produce lots of small circles from the edge pieces.



I then used these pieces to collage the painting  ( can you collage a painting?) hoping to get the effect of lots of bluebells reaching for the sunlight. I never stick the pieces down completely, so that when the painting has a double mount and is framed, there is just enough room between support and glass for the strips of added paper to curl slightly to give a three-dimensional effect.



                                                                        'Bluebells'
                                     Abstract Collage on Fabriano Artistico Extra White Rough paper

7 comments:

  1. Such a creative result. Love the colors.

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    1. Thanks Jean. It is great to have a bit of creative fun now and then without having to worry about figurative drawing. Glad you like it!

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  2. The effect of your abstract is very fresh and appealing Yvonne. Full of texture and depth. It's really beaut being able to click on each photo and see the detail. You've also used some of the cut out circles in parts of your piece. Really inspiring :D)

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    1. Thanks for the lovely comments. I am glad the sharing works and that you enjoy the blog.

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  3. Love it! Thank You for sharing your process Yvonne, very inspiring!

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    1. Thank you Laura. I learn so much from other artists, that I am very happy to share my processes. Happy painting!

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  4. I just came across your blog. Your paintings are just so beautiful, and I am overwhelmed.

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