Here is a sample of an unprepared piece of copper. You can see the various scratches and marks across the surface, which if left as is, would be unappealing on a finished painting. My aesthetic sense tells me that the purpose of painting on a shimmering panel of metal is to let the beauty of that metal glow through. Some artists like the metal for … [Read more...] about Prep Time
Minerals, Metals and Dirt
Natural earth minerals have played an important role in artwork since the cave paintings of antiquity. Paints are made from clumps of dirt or ground up minerals such as cinnabar or lapis lazuli. In cave paintings, yellow ochres, reddish siennas, and brownish umbers were mixed with saliva or other binders and painted on walls or rocks with sticks. Burnt and charred bones or tree branches made perfect blacks. In short, anything that had color could be mixed with something liquid or fluid and made into paint.
Garlicky Experiments/Trials and Errors
At this point, there are a couple of ways to proceed. If your intent is to use the smooth surface much like a prepared panel, then you can gesso it. Or if you want the natural beauty of the copper to glow through then you don't want an opaque priming. In much of the literature, old school techniques describe a fascinating etching method using … [Read more...] about Garlicky Experiments/Trials and Errors
Signature D Consulting
presents Minerals, Metals, and Dirt June 6 through 30 at Elizabeth Lofts 333 NW 9th Avenue Portland, Oregon, Pearl District Plaza Entrance on NW 10th Opening Reception June 6, 6 to 9 pm Shown by appointment after June 6 Diane Kruger 503-504-9330 A pigment project featuring the beauty of mineral and earth colors painted on metals. … [Read more...] about Signature D Consulting
Pieces of Paint
As I have mentioned, the resulting beauty of the copper shimmering through the paint and brushstrokes is my goal here. Initially, I was wont to cover much of the surface but after many experiments, I began to achieve more of the look I could see in my mind's eye. Because the format is a small modello, 6x6 inches, it is easier to 'play' with the … [Read more...] about Pieces of Paint
Copper on the Easel
Several years ago, I did a series of paintings on sheets of copper of various sizes, which was enormously fun. Here are two from that series. Well, now here it is 2013, and it's time for another challenge with a new pigment series. This new project poking at my mad scientist self is more expansive though, and will be … [Read more...] about Copper on the Easel