Peacock Heads
The Grand Bohemian Gallery has sold all of the previous eight peacock heads I brought them a few months back, and Michael asked me to create more. To mix things up a bit and keep it interesting, I made some scribbly backgrounds this time. I used my Derwent Inktense Pencils on top of the drippy fluid acrylics and I really like the effect. These pencils can be washed out with a little water to create a vivid translucent effect and once dry, they are permanent!
My last set of peacock heads included only the drippy painted backgrounds so I thought I'd add a little something more this time. Through experimentation I found that the pencils go on very intense if you use them on a wet ground. I painted the wood panels with fluid acrylics, let that dry, wet the panel, and added the Inktense Pencil lines. I really love the effect of the pencil scribbling on the wet ground. To be sure the pencil marks that were not washed with water did not smear during the glue application, I sealed that layer with spray varnish before adding the collage.
I really enjoy creating the peacock heads, and experimenting with the background colors and textures. My next set I think I will stain the wood panel first, making a darker, more rich ground to start.
What handsome fellows and what wonderful portraits you've done of them. I'm anxious now to see the collage stage. I've been working with my Inktense pencils, too, but just in my little sketchbook. I'd love to have the full set.
ReplyDeletecame over to say hello via supplies overflowing. love your birds and cupcakes.....
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria, thanks for your compliments!
ReplyDeleteJo, they are already collaged! it was not a good photo though, darn iPhone! so this one I have in place now is better, you can see they are finished.
ReplyDeleteAlways ready to see more gorgeous peacocks from you :)
ReplyDeleteI have been staining some boards prior to stetching. too dark and it makes it difficult to see the marks. i stained some ebony and a white charcoal pencil worked great.
ReplyDeleteAngie, what a great idea and thanks for the tip! are you leaving the entire background just stain? or can you paint on top of ebony?
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful... I love the Inktense pencils also... ;)
ReplyDeletelove your peacocks! each one has it's own personality.
ReplyDeletethe Derwent pencils- have to check them out some more...
I so love these Elizabeth!!! I should clena the dust off my inktense pencils..... cheers..
ReplyDeleteI really like your collage technique - I'm just coming to your blog for the first time by way of Painting a Dog a Day's blog -
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, before you go to the finish do you do a value study? Your work has such clarity in values, and good color harmony - which I think would be really hard w/collage - so I'm wondering how you did it.
Lisa, my value study is in my under-painting. I create an acrylic underpainting in which I map out my values and colors before I ever get to collage. Once the under-painting is dry, I collage over the top of it entirely. Lately I've been leaving the backgrounds a drippy scribbly painted area, so that the collage may stand out on its own with all its texture. For the scribbling I use Derwent Inktense pencils. I use fluid acrylic for the underpainting and for painting my own collage papers.
ReplyDeletethank you for your compliments! Dog a Day blog really rocks! I love Kim's work.