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Friday, November 10, 2017

Learning about Mark Russells' technique for using Cold Wax.

Good Morning!
Last weekend was  the Cold Wax and Oil Paint workshop with Mark Russell at Mainstreet Art Center in Lake Zurich, IL.  
Mark did a demo that showed us how to mix the wax, the paint and a medium to thin or thicken, and his method of always having a horizon line as someplace for the viewers' eye to rest. Then we all went back to our individual tables to try it on our own as he walked around to see how we were doing and answered any questions. He did a demo each morning and afternoon. 
He was most generous with sharing some of his supplies.  He had a gallon of cold wax and some scrapers/shapers if we cared to purchase them, and the mediums.  he also sometimes drops in some sprinkles of  soft pastel that comes in a powder.  He puts a fairly large quantity of the wax onto his palette-maybe 1/4 cup in amount,  He also put out three different mediums including Galkyd, Gamblin Neomegilp. and Gamblin Solvent Free gel.  He uses Gamblin's Chromatic Black because it is the only transparent black oil paint.  One of the demos he did was to show the difference in using a transparent black with another color and white, and using an opaque black with another color and black.  The difference was amazing, there was a beautiful glow with the transparent black, and we all ordered our Gamblin Chromatic Black right then!  In Mark's paintings he layers from 12 to 20 colors of grayed-down paint and put the layers on very transparently.  He makes random marks in each layer and puts on paint and rubs it off in some spots to show the layer beneath.  Each layer may take a couple of days to dry, so he has a dozen pieces going at one time.
Since our workshop was only 2 days our pieces had about 3 layers.  We had to be careful not to get some muddy looks that you avoid by letting the layers dry.  I discovered my layers were not as transparent, and would take longer to dry to the touch-three layers times two days to dry each equals about a week to dry...

Here are some examples of my work. I forgot about horizons in some, and mine are more colorful and abstract than his work.  I will do more layers over some.







I am posting to Paint Party Friday hosted by Kristine and Eva and a great spot for seeing the work of many other artists from around the world.  Have a good week making art-Gloria 

17 comments:

  1. Gorgeous abstract paintings. Wax gives them great impression. Love your different color combos.
    Happy PPF ❤

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    1. Thank you, Clare. That is an attraction of the wax.

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  3. Thanks for sharing the process, your pieces look amazing.

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  4. Sounds like a great workshop, and you made some wonderful pieces. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  5. Nice technique that horizon line. Thanks for sharing your workshop tips and great art today

    Happu Ppf

    Muchđź’–love

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  6. sounds like a super workshop. Love your cold wax paintings!! You have me wanting do do more of this myself but oh that drying time does take patience:) Thanks for sharing and happy PPF!

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    1. Hi Linda, thanks so much. But yes, the time between applications means many pieces lying around on the dining room table. So glad I don;t need to use it that often!

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  7. Wow stunning colour and depth... Sounds like a very long process...well worth the wait!! Love them all!

    Peace Giggles

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    1. Hi There, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. So glad you are feeling better.

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  8. it looks like you've totally found a new medium! I love your abstracts. I'm so attached to those kinds of pieces and it amazes me that artists can find such amazing balance to make abstract so beautiful. Visiting From PPF. Oh, my new blog is now live on my new wordpress site (justaddwatersilly.com) and I'm doing a giveaway tomorrow (Sunday). The giveaway will include a DIY Altoids tin with magnetic half pans, pencil & eraser, Hahnemuhle Grey Book toned paper sketchbook, Micron sigma pens, a Grumbacher watercolor brush and a bee magnet! Hope to see you there!

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    1. Hi Jenn,
      Sorry I didn't get to this until today(Monday). Congrats on your new site and hope your giveaway went well.
      Thanks for your comments.

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  9. The Abstracts are beautiful. Blessings, Janet

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  10. Wow you did a fantastic job on these art pieces.

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