Hobbies and Crafts

Yes, that's just what I find GinN! Yet once I get going and things are looking ok I am completely absorbed, don't want to stop and can't wait to paint each feature of the picture. I've learned as well to practice the effect I want on a scrap of paper before doing it on the actual painting as that really helps when you are inexperienced like me! I'm definitely not a brave painter with bold strokes!! :-)

I also need outside help to get me started again. I enrolled in a class which starts later in the month on printing and making printing plates, including lino cut and silk aquatint. I did the same class last year and really enjoyed it and it certainly focuses the mind.

I used to paint on silk as well and often use the same gutta and silk that I used in silk painting in making printing plates, in addition to glues, acrylics and polyfilla!!

The happy accidents often make the best and most imaginative prints :-)

Does anyone know how to use gesso with acrylic paint? I bought a pot months ago and it's stayed on the shelf untouched. I don't know if you thin it, use it to thicken acrylic paint to give it texture or scrape it on with a knife, say to do mountains that you can then lightly touch with colour to get a rock effect. Also, is it supposed to dry first and then be painted on or do you mix paint with it?

That sounds an interesting class K. Do you print your own fabric ?

I thought that gesso was primarily used as a primer and it appears it can also be used as a thickener and to give a texture on a surface.

I use the moulding materials including modelling paste to help make printing plates which I imprint with texture to help give a relief. The modelling paste can be mixed with acrylic paint as well. I apply in thin layers and leave to dry. I am sure someone else will be able to advise you better than I can The one thing I have found is that often products have multiple ways of using and I often use products from hardware stores

I have printed on fabric - silk and cotton - but mostly use paper. Sadly the happy accidents are more successful often than the thought out pieces

Annx,
I thought gesso was a primer too, but obviously it's much more versatile than I first thought, must give it a go! I have also tried using texture paste and it gives a lovely 3D effect to your paintings. I'm not what you would call a regular or 'good' painter unfortunately it's a question of getting time and being left alone long enough to concentrate on what I'm supposed to be doing, but I do find it relaxing, primarily I use Acrylic and Oil. Anyone else out there going to the 'Art Materials Live' at the NEC in November?
Sue

Is that at the same time as the Hobbycraft Show? I went to that last year and came out to a blizzard!! lol.

Never used gesso at all, I work with water to blend, and white to tamper down the vividness of the colours....never had painters block....I go to a local club where our teacher encourages and advises, she isn't into us all painting the same. I am still into impressionistic paintings, good way to do buildings. We have a yearly exhibitions

Hi.....my grandfather was Bernad Meninsky an amazing artist, also myuncle phillip meninsky......look them up on google? ldid go to classes and did an A level at 6th form collage when l was about 40 yrs old, got a D, never good enough to sell any though:~{

jude

Jude have you managed to track down any more paintings on EBay by your Grandfather. Not seen you talking about him lately. Needed an excuse to nudge this thread up as somebody is apparently complaining about /Greaders dominating the board.

And another one to bring back up.

Me - for close to 20 years now! My main medium is photography, but I also do painting and life drawing.

I went to art school after I finished high school. Major in photography with minors in painting, drawing and printmaking.