We visited friends we haven't seen since the Summer late afternoon yesterday. It was meant to be a short visit but somehow stretched to 4 hours. We had a great time (especially David as I was driver for the day so he got to have a few beers whilst I stuck with the diet coke)!!
Today I worked more on the 'sepia' portrait. Stupidly, a couple of days ago I decided to put in a very simple background with watercolour pencil and brush over it with a damp brush .... Canson MiTeintes paper obviously doesn't like being wetted and instantly buckled up. So I've had it laid flat with a heavy drawing board on top and that has helped. An artist e-friend suggested using a warm iron on the back of the paper but I'm reluctant to do that in case it 'melts' the coloured pencil - I'm using mostly wax based pencils.
I'm going to take a break from the picture now and let it spend a few more days being 'flattened'. That will also give me time to think about whether I'm going to add the final touches or re-do it in graphite ...
I photographed it in a white mount which is a bit too 'bright'
and again in a dark brown mount
David prefers the dark mount but I'm not sure what colour frame would work with it. I've since found a cream mount which I quite like and which would sit nicely in a brown/wood frame - but its too dark to photograph it now.
So lots of decisions to make in a couple of days.
Meantime I've got to get myself ready to start the next 'human' portrait - which is a family group. I'm just waiting for one more ref. photo and trying to decide whether to use Pastelmat and pastels, or coloured pencils - or both.
I used to be decisive .... now I just don't know ;-)
yeah don't use an iron, even on the back and on low it can be enough to melt the wax :/
ReplyDeletelooks great! I like the brown matting as well. It kind of seals everything in nicely, but a cream might work too x
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be 'flattening out' OK so fingers crossed ... I've decided I'll probably stick with this version and not redo it in graphite as I have others to crack on with now.
Thanks Kyla - the mount/matting will be a last minute decision I think but definitely it won't be the white one.
Yes, I rather like the brown matting but maybe the cream would work too.
ReplyDeleteYou do have to make a lot of decisions don't you LOL.
Hi Jo
ReplyDeleteHope you had a good Christmas.
The post is a bit 'tongue in cheek' but I do think I'm more indecisive than I used to be ... more time to think about things I guess??
I'm a bit better with the things that REALLY matter I hope.
AAAArgh! Forgot you used wax pencils on this! Definitely don't iron!
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I like the brown mat with it but as you said, it's a decision best left for when you're finished.
Hi Jan
ReplyDeleteWell, ironing on the back might give an interesting finish. I believe some artists use wax based pencils with an Icarus board which has a warm surface and melts the wax to give a more painterly look. Never seen/used one before though.
Anyway, it is much flatter now so think I got away with it. I've got used to pastelmat and Fisher 400 which work really well with wet or dry applications.