With this drought and heat, the greens are fast fading..
July, Niagara Escarpment, acrylic on canvas, 30x36in, available
For some reason I always switch to acrylic paint when the weather is this scorching. I think it is in hoping all that dripping water will somehow cool me down. As well, acrylic takes longer to set up in the humidity and I like the little bit of pull on the brush as it is drying.
I also wanted this work to have an immediacy and an airy sketch-like quality to it and polymer easily lends itself to that approach.
Someone once said that the good thing about acrylic paint is that it dries fast-the bad thing about acrylic paint is that it dries fast.
I've worked with polymer for many years and it is a fun and forgiving medium. It can, however, create some really bad habits if you work in oil or other transparent mediums. Because it is opaque, you really don't have to think about how it affects the colour under it if you are working in a direct painting technique. If you go back to working with oil with this approach you may soon be in mud.
I like using acrylic pigment for indirect painting methods, primarily glazing and scumbling.
Sometimes I will also do an under-painting with acrylic and finish the work in oil.
Love this and the discussion about acrylic. I, too, like acrylic under certain circumstances, and I am equally aware that you can never "pretend" that they work like oils or visa versa (at least I can't!) Your vineyard painting is lively--I enjoy the motion in all your work
ReplyDeleteNo matter the medium, your dynamic style and passion for your subject come through. On the waters of the Pacific Northwest, we are grateful for recent sunny days and temperatures above 70. The rest of the continent cooks and we remain cool.
ReplyDeleteThe colours in your painting are lovely Jan. Interesting to read about the hot weather you are having and the switch to acrylics, it rains here most of the time so it is nice to see some blue summer skies with you.
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