Thursday 10 May 2012

Problematic

Ive had nothing but problems today *gutting*

With the crappy weather Ive been unable to do to large pieces for drawing mainly a burn drawing piece and one with using the power wash. The constaint rain meant I couldnt do either task outdoors.

In an attempt to begin my burn drawing in the tool room with the extraction fan directly ontop of the canvas (which wasnt exactly strong enough) I quickly discovered that spending ages priming the canvas with gesso was all to a huge waste of time... Turns out that gesso doesnt burn very well... if at all. It doesnt even bubble just goes a slight beige colour... The heat goes straight to the canvas and burns it leaving the gesso to disintigrate into a thin crisp with powdery pigment.

Lesson learned if attempting a burn drawing dont bother preparing a canvas...


All I managed was to scorch the gesso and burn through the canvas leaving a ragged tear. This wasnt the idea at all but to instead build up detail and tone through levels of burning. It was an interesting idea and end result. But as the burning passed through the gesso the canvas was more attractive on the back with the blackened idea actually working out the way I planned. Overall I wasnt happy, however all is not lost. Ive stripped the canvas off the frame and purchased some cotton and heavy fabric to attach and ive already got a good size of canvas pinned to a wooden frame to try the burn imagery again. Hopefully the weather will clear up so as to get the job done.

Looking back Im glad I decided to scrap the idea as my proportions on the canvas of the imagery are wierd and better planning will prove to be more effective. Im also now less convinced about the subject matter in  connection to the practice of doing the burning.

Ive still got a few things left to draw but I just cant wait to get everything done and dusted ready for the exhibition time

oh and in a sinful sorta way... Ive got a new idea for a drawing I really want to do. But I only will do it if I have finished every request left...

Anyway Im sharing a new penwork drawing finished today :)

One dotty doodled zebra


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