Monday, November 21, 2016

ATMOSPHERE & SHAPES, Day 2

Diving Into the LessonI started by getting a first layer of my chosen palette of colors on ten sheets of paper. I lifted paint; overlapped it; used a brayer; wiped back; and added texture via techniques such as stenciling, scribbling, sgrafitto, and dripping—to create layers, depth, and a feeling of atmosphere, a feeling of 'airiness,' the illusion of space with the quality of endlessness that's found in nature.


sample start of atmospheric background
another sample start of atmospheric background

I repeated the layering process through several rounds until I felt ready to introduce shapes. Once I started putting shapes on the page, I worked back and forth between atmosphere and shapes until they seemed to be having an engaging conversation with each other.  

I elected to limit my shapes and their colors. For shapes I used (an approximation of what are called) Reuleaux triangles (curved sides) as my primary shape and circles as the supporting cast.

Inner Process:

I really enjoyed creating the initial layers of atmospheric background, working quickly and intuitively without any protracted decision-making. I applied paint, responded to whatever appeared on the page, worked with a feeling of flow.

Adding shapes and creating compositions challenged me. Working narrow and deep within my parameters was engaging but often, at the same time, pushed me to my creative edges and out of my comfort zone. Continuing to develop atmosphere once shapes were on the page gave me a good run for my money. Getting pieces to a place where they met my self-created objectives involved a bunch of what felt difficult and fussy more often than I would have wished, but I chose to trust in all parts of the process—not just the parts I enjoyed!

Stay tuned …

6 comments:

Sheila said...

Love the last sentence. Way to go :)

carol edan said...

Really love your descriptions of your working process... reminds me that it's the journey... something I HAVE to always remember. On edge to see the shape conversation!!! Love the backgrounds!!!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Sheila! I have wonderful role models : )

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Carol, thanks for the thumbs up for my descriptions of process. The telling of this one felt a little dry (it was originally written for my class). Needless to say, when I talk about the journey, I often do so to remind MYSELF! Shapes a-comin' soon!

Simone said...

I am looking forward to the shapes! (Since I haven't seen them yet ;-) - because I gave up just before the end ... )

dotty seiter: now playing said...

The shapes are all lined up and ready to find their way to you!

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