Saturday, January 5, 2013

From The Back Burner - Day 4 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Continuing my exploration with things I've put off, I treated myself to a new work surface. Or at least I thought it would be a treat. Usually I work on a rather heavyweight canvas with a bit of tooth. When I want a panel, I make my own archival product. But I've heard such great things about working on linen, I'd thought I'd try some linen panels. I bought 6 oil primed linen panels after reading rave product reviews about what a pleasure they are to work on and how well they hold colors.
Well, I couldn't have been more disappointed. The panels are so smooth and slick that it's like painting on a sheet of waxed paper. The key words in the product description were "non-absorbent surface". I can see them working quite nicely for someone who paints in thin layers. I work by layering on top of the underneath strokes. Since the paint skims the surface of these panels, there is nothing for the next layer to react with. I found myself painting on top of un-anchored strokes and fighting the surface the whole way. I kept persevering though and this day 4 painting is the result.


The Sound at Night -9x12 - oil on linen panel
Sold!

I know I will not be using the other five 9x12 panels. If there are any artists out there who want to conduct their own explorations with these panels, I purchased them on sale and will pass the savings on to them. For today's painting,  I'll be trying yet another panel. Wish me luck!

4 comments:

  1. Looks good. I use linen all the time. You would NOT like Innerglow panels, if you don't like the linen. Like glass. You have to get a layer of paint down, or tone it and let it dry. I'm a slow painter too. Also trying things that have been on the "back burner"--like glazing. Good luck! http://ellieboyd.blogspot.com/2013/01/30-in-30-ellie-glazed.html

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    1. Ellie thank you for the tip. I was wondering about innerglow panels.I have found a linen panel I like made by RayMar but they're too expensive. And honestly, the surface of the panels I make are as good as theirs. Last night I tried a Pintura panel. both the Pintura and the linen Centurian have such a thin toothless covering, it makes me wonder why they bothered to cover the panel at all. I'll post the painting on the Pintura panel tomorrow. When my supply of cotton canvas is gone, I'll get some heavier weight linen and make my own panels.

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  2. I found out the same thing about the linen panels. I paint in thin layers and I still have problems with paint suddenly coming off with each stroke. I will be using mine up but will rethink about whether or not to order them again. Your painting looks lovely in spite of the challenges!

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    1. Thank you R.L. for your comments! I'm surprised the panels don't work better for painting in thin layers. I really struggled with the surface. It was like laying strokes down on a moving target. I definitely won't be buying more. I'll go back to making my own.

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