Graduation Gift - Page 2

Kimberly Dow · 08-10-2004, 01:15 AM

This is beautiful Linda! As my daughter would say: "You rock!"

I still have yet to try my ABS - it's sitting there sanded, but still in huge sheets. I just ordered a tiny bit of Maroger for the first time the other day. I'd like to hear actual amounts used on canvas. For example - do you put a drop in each pile of paint? Or only use it for certain effects? Then after you answer those questions - what about on ABS?

Linda Brandon · 08-12-2004, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

I still have yet to try my ABS - it's sitting there sanded, but still in huge sheets. I just ordered a tiny bit of Maroger for the first time the other day. I'd like to hear actual amounts used on canvas. For example - do you put a drop in each pile of paint? Or only use it for certain effects?

Kim, be sure you're wearing a mask if you're sanding, especially on those big sheets of ABS. Who is going to cut them for you?

It's taken me over a year of trial and error (lots of error) to figure out how to work on ABS. All of my useful knowledge comes from Bill Whitaker who surely deserves an award for patience with student pests.

Lately I've been saving my Maroger for the top couple of paint layers and using it as a dip for my small brush to blend soft turning edges. The bottom layers are as soft as I can make them and I blend them flat and loose with a fan brush. I build up the lights with opaque paint and scrub the dark shadows into the ABS ground. I'm not thinning the paint at all (other than the initial drawing with raw umber) and there is a ton of paint on this panel.

Sanding (by hand!) between paint coats seems to act as an exfoliant for future layers and somehow increases luminosity. When you hit these ABS paintings with a halogen spotlight they explode off the wall. I think it has to do with the hardness and the brilliance of the white ground. My next few paintings are going to be on gessoed boards and I'm wondering if I can get them to behave the same way as ABS does.

Sharon Knettell · 08-10-2004, 02:46 PM

Now I am going to have to work harder and it's Summer and the veranda and a chilled Chardonnay are beckoning!

You have managed to successfully pull off a tricky composition. The weight of the stripes on the left balance the figure beautifully. Her skin tones are luscious!

Just lovely Linda!

Linda Brandon · 08-12-2004, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Just lovely Linda!

Sharon, Thanks so much, and your post is reminding me to tell you that my efforts to draw on ABS were a big flop. No matter how much I spray or varnish I can still rub off some of the charcoal or Nupastel, so I will still need to frame them under glass. I'm thinking now, though, that I may try to sand the drawings by hand before I revarnish and see what happens.

Sharon Knettell · 08-12-2004, 02:12 PM

Jeez Linda!

I must say you look like a tres chic lady in your self portrait and in your photo. However after you describe your working methods; sanding, sanding and varnishing and sanding, you MUST look a lot like me after a day of spraying and coating a 35lb pastel panel.

Let us say, we must both look like Pigpen in Charlie Brown, and as happy as two pigs in ****!

Kimberly Dow · 08-13-2004, 01:19 AM

Thank you for all that useful information Linda!

I sanded the one panel with an electric sander the spouse brought home and it had a little bag attached that caught all the dust - it worked really well. He will cut them for me...you know...when he has time.

The one thing that caught me off-guard is that you use the Maroger only in parts. I had this impression it changed the suface - made it shinier and if only used in parts it would be different textures. This is good to know. I hadn't opened mine yet since I am in the middle of a painting, but now I might. The kind I ordered is pre-mixed and a thick gel. (from studioproducts, I believe that is what you & Bill recommended).

If I can get Jamie to cut the panels I am going to do the next one on ABS. I have a beautiful little model posing for me at the local wine vineyard tomorrow. Grape vines, an old-world-looking (hopefully) outfit, vines and vines and a basket of grapes. I am excited!

Thank you again - you are always very generous with your knowledge and it is appreciated!

Cheryl Ellicott · 09-07-2004, 12:10 AM

Linda

This portrait is so excellent that I just have to stop lurking to say so.
I cannot stare at it enough.

Have you previously shared what your palette was?
I'd love to know, as I've been a pastel painter for so long, I'm having trouble translating my color knowledge over to oils. I've always just grabbed my favorite pastels.... no idea of what colors they were.

Cheryl

Carol Norton · 04-06-2005, 12:51 AM

Linda, since you first posted this this beautiful painting it has become a resource for me. Just to see how you accomplished the beautiful hair and skin - well, everything about the painting - is inspiring. Wonderfully deserved recognition. Now, that's justice.

Can I name drop now that you're so famous?

Carol Norton

Ngaire Winwood · 04-06-2005, 08:37 PM

Wow Linda, your hard work is paying off for you. Well done and congrats!

You are always an inspiration to me.

Linda Brandon · 04-10-2005, 11:14 AM

Jean, Beth, Claudemir, Carol and Ngaire, you are all very kind to post these comments, which are so encouraging to me. Thank you!

Beth, I think my big head problem may resolve itself because I pounded it against the wall all week over a painting I've been struggling with. I think I've got it compacted back to its original size by now.