One of the things I always like the best in art is texture. Most of the time I had been giving it a "look" of texture with the brush, and some other times I make impasto strokes to have a bit bumpy areas, which is better or easier done with acrylics, there for I go back from oils (water mix) to acrylics. It is hard for me to just stay with one, both having their own qualities and "bad sides" as in too long to dry, or too fast to dry. So, mediums are the solution, and under a workshop you get to play with new stuff you usually don't even think of using.
The one thing I had not experimenting quite far was the use of mediums to make many kinds of other textures and including collage. I really don't want to get into heavy duty mixed media (just a toe in the pool, so to speak) nor journaling... although I can see the beauty and the coolness of it.
I have followed bunch of tutorials, local workshops and online classes from many wonderful people, and try to use what makes me happy. Let me tell you one thing: abstract art is more complicated that what the eye meets! LoL Anyone can make crazy scribbles, but an abstracted painting that tells you something...? not easy to accomplish!
All of this blabbering is just to say, I have been painting in a bigger size, and I have been using different methods. In a way I am trying to go back to what I was doing years ago, more rough and a bit folk.
Let's go to the pictures!
First coat of random colors, gesso and pencil.
Several washes of more color and medium. I was so tempted to leave it bald.
Added skin tones with medium to slow dry time, and gesso for the hair
Several layers later, I think I'm done. I don't want to make this post too heavy with pictures so I will add more at a different time.
Any input? :o)