Lily Pond and "Abstract"

This week I finished the cold wax and oil painting that I photographed in two stages for last weeks post.  I added several areas of paint. I darkened the bottom in some areas and added lily pads, and shades of browns and yellow and blue in other areas.  I scratched through the layers to pull out weeds along three edges.  FINI!

My second painting was started over 4 sample pieces done in the workshop with Mark Russell.  I used up old wax and paint mixtures from my palette to add about 4 new layers to it.
I will let both dry completely before framing.

I am busy with Christmas decorating, shopping, cards and parties, like many of you, so I may not post for a couple of weeks.

 LILY POND

Step One

Steps 2-4

Recent Sunset from my back yard.

Colored lights, all gold & Silver ornaments--Tippy Top!!

Gold and Silver on dresser top

Enjoy a visit to Paint Party Friday hosted by Kristin and Eva and thanks for stopping by.  I would love to hear any comments or questions--Gloria

Some Finished Projects

I am happy with one of my finished Cold Wax paintings started in Mark Russells' workshop.  Mark suggested doing a series, so I am trying impressions of trees for my series.  Posting to Paint Party Friday.  Enjoy all the artists that Kristen and Eva host each week.

9 x 12 on Arches Oil Paper

In Karen Sako's Mixed media Collage Class we did two projects for Halloween.  Both use paper, transfers, and acrylic paint.

10 x 8" on Board

6 x 6" on Board

Cold Wax Projects Drying on my table.

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 

Enjoying Collage

Today I have some photos of a few of the collage pieces we have done in Karen Sako's class.  I am enjoying trying all different techniques. Each week we do a few homework pieces. This week I did our "color" homework. 

Tomorrow and Sunday I will have a cold wax and oil painting workshop with Mark Russell.  I love the look of encaustic and am hoping to achieve somewhat the same look with cold wax.

I am linking to Paint Party Friday, my Facebook and Pinterest pages and Twitter.
Paint Party Friday showcases about 50 different artists' creations for the previous week.  It is hosted each week by Kristin and Eva. Thank you, Ladies for giving us an opportunity to share our work.

Staring with a monotone black and white done with black gesso and collage cutouts of paper. Pictures from Google Images

Using my leftover acrylic paint primaries to create an abstract design.

The same design with the actual colors in the various types of color wheels.

Using my three primaries and discovering the possible combinations with black and white and with the other primaries.

Have a creative week, and thank you for stopping in.

Gloria J Zucaro