Laguna Coast

Laguna Coast

Image Size 30" x 40"

Acrylic

I know I've painted this scene many times but this one is different.  It's pretty large and it's acrylic.  Acrylic is not the medium that I'm the most comfortable using, especially as thick paint.  I prefer using them as a type of watercolor, very thin and many layers of glazes.  I think my main complaint with acrylics is how fast they dry.  I do use a medium that slows the drying time but it still is frustrating and creates a feeling of tension because I'm trying to beat the clock.  Also, blending is not easy for me to do  with acrylics.

This is painted on a gallery wrapped canvas so there is no need for a frame.  That gives a nice, contemporary look that I really like.

Lonely Palm

I had so much fun painting this one.  I used black gesso on the canvas before I started painting.  I love the matte finish of the black gesso and hope that when the oil paints dry on this one, the black bits peeking through will be a contrast with the shiny oils.  Of course, some oils dry flat, not shiny so I'll have to wait and see.

This was painted entirely with a palette knife.  I don't know why I don't do more palette knife paintings.  They are so different in the finished look and the feeling while I'm painting.

Along with leaving bits of black peeking through the paint throughout the painting, I left a black line between all of the major elements.  With my background making stained glass windows for so many years, I am still attracted to this look.

Lonely Palm
Image size 12" x 12"
Oil