Succulence

Click Here To Buy It Now - $300, acrylic on linen panel, 8x8 inches

This is one of the paintings where I experimented with high flow acrylics for an under painting (see below).  I used the high flow acrylics as a washy value study which turned out pretty fun all by itself. I tried to save some of that cool drippy texture in the completed painting leaving the background very sketchy.  I learned a bunch from this experiment and hope to incorporate and continue to work with the high flow washes and drips.  My other under painting did not turn out so good in fact it will be a do over.  It turned out dark and for some reason in a much tighter style but that failure led to my success with Succulence. So which do you prefer, the completed painting or the under study wash?

Due to the limitation and inconsistencies of various display monitors, the colors you see on your screen may not be a totally accurate reproduction of the actual painting but I work to get the best likeness possible.

(c) Deborah A. Kirkeeide

Fun with acrylic under paintings!

I'm back painting again after being sick through December and then on vacation in California.  I'm excited to be experimenting with acrylics and getting better acquainted with them.  In the two sketches above I've used High Flow Acrylics by Golden to create under paintings.  The colors from the High Flow Acrylics are so vibrant and gorgeous.  I have no idea where I'm going with these but that's half the fun.  In the top sketch I just wanted to identify where the lights and darks were to create structure.  Now that I've laid the foundation I'm ready to get going.  Layering is part of the beauty of acrylics and a totally different approach compared to the Alla Prima oil painting technique I love.  I'm not sure how I will like the finished work with these under paintings but I will keep you posted on the results.  Oh I'm also experimenting with linen panels for my paint surface and so far so good.

(c) Deborah A. Kirkeeide