Friday, February 27, 2009

Illustration Friday: Breezy

This breezy painting was done with acrylic on gessoed paper. This was the first time I used gesso as a foundation. Why gesso? 
  • If I make a mistake, I can cover the offending area with gesso, confident that I'm reverting to the same base color and surface.
  • Gesso can add texture. I purposely left brush stokes on the gessoed surface (rather than sanding it smooth).
Unfortunately, my experiment had mixed results. The texture adds visual interest but it's distracting (especially when scanned). Next time I'll sand the gesso smooth or vary the direction of the strokes.

23 comments:

Tracy said...

I think you did an amazing job with this. It looks great!

John B. Watson said...

Funny coincidence! I was actually going to suggest that you post this piece for this IF topic. Guess great (or goofy) minds think alike. I really like this illustration. I think this is the first time I've see the finished piece. I do agree that it would have been better to sand the gesso smooth or vary the brush strokes. Other than that, it's awesome!

NightenGail said...

I love how you rendered the face.

As far as gesso texturing...I'm no expert--in fact I don't really use gesso--but perhaps try more of a cross-hatched brush stroke to apply the gesso instead of straight up-and-down. Then it may look more like deliberate texture rather than "Why are there streaks on this beautiful illustration?"

Carolina Grönholm said...

This is a great illustration!

Anonymous said...

Great take on the theme and wonderfully colored!

adrienne trafford said...

this is wonderful - you've made her expression perfect - watching her friends enjoy the day while she has to work...

Coreopsis said...

I couldn't see the gesso texture at all on what showed up. It was only when I clicked on the image to enlarge it that I could see the vertical streaks of texture, which, as you say, don't quite go with the rest of the picture. I guess I'd probably agree that sanding it smooth would have been best, although I could also imagine a different sort of texture. The style seems to say "smooth" to me.

I love the illustration! It feels so autumn-like, and there she is, having to stay behind. Lovely colors and composition.

nella gatica said...

EXCELLENT!!!!THE BEST I HAVE SEEN!

Roberta said...

This is incredible!!

Powpourri said...

Great piece, amazing detail. I don't find the gesso distracting myself but I paint with a knife so I am totally into texture!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic scene. It has such of forelorn quality.

Nathanael Lark said...

I love it that you write about your process. As a fellow illustrator I find that really interesting. As for the image itself - I love it! Lots of storytelling and atmosphere. Great job!

Anonymous said...

lovely illustration, love the bags of leaves just waiting to fall over..as they always do...

MrBibleHead said...

Great work. Love the leaves and the womans hair. Sure looks breezy. :)

Anonymous said...

Great work! You've really captured that kind of day!

Cheryl said...

I love this. And I, too could not see the strokes until it was enlarged. I actually like the unity of that.

RetRomantic said...

Wonderful little vignette . I like your work.

Valerie Lorimer said...

Wonderful piece! You set such a wonderful scene.

Chuck Dillon said...

I HATE when I have to draw a figure walking away. Nice job! Great color mood!

Caroline said...

I love this - you've done a great job here - I agree, maybe varying the strokes when applying the gesso would help avoid the striped look - good experiment though - one I'd like to try too someday.

froggie is... said...

i LOVE what the gesso adds...truly. it adds to her mood, her predicament and lends some nice feel to the dark trees, even the clapboard green house. a GOOD experiment, i think! this is just super, robert! :))

and, i'm not just saying that bcuz i'm a redhead and i have that barn jacket! ")))

Phyllis Harris said...

Great blog! I really love this painting and I like the texture of the gesso underneath.I don't think it's distracting at all...imo. Great job!

Jessica F S said...

She looks COLD! I'd tell her to put on a hat and scarf ASAP--preferably purple :).