Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

I love transparent acrylic skins: when I make them, I scribble freely and intuitively, and when I put them to use in a painting—often months later, and usually as a finishing detail—that carefree energy plays out all over again.

I could have scribbled today in real time on my nearly finished painting but I know I would have felt tentative and tight at that point in the process. Instead, I pulled out three pieces of acrylic skin and had the freedom to try them in various positions without having to commit or feel tight or run the risk of "messing up."

When I found a fit that felt right, I glued them in place. Done!

The Swishing Whisper of Brocade
4x6"; acrylic, India ink, collage, oil and waterbased pastels
abstract
2018


4 comments:

carol edan said...

What a splendid title! Just the right touch! Have never made or used an acrylic skin!But haven't really played enough with acrylic paints. Those must have been transparent skins! Had to open the image large to see them!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Yes, transparent skins. Jane Davies's video shows the method I use. What I love is they already have their own random spontaneous 'shape,' and it's fun to then superimpose them on something else to see what effect is created. Glad it felt like just the right touch to you—it did to me : ) Also glad you like the title.

Sheila said...

Swish! Just made me smile when I opened this. Just right indeed. :)

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Sheila. Delighted that you think so!

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