Botanical Art

Something New

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I was asked to road test some Ampersand Aquabord, a clay-coated panel for watercolour that claims to be acid-free and archival.  I thought I might share my experience working on it.

I am used to working on 300gsm hot pressed paper which is very smooth, I found I had to adjust the way I worked on the Aquabord, the clay surface as you would expect behaves rather differently.

The panel surface has some texture to it and required wetting out before you commence painting to release any air bubbles trapped under the surface.

I found my paint brush traveled quite smoothly over the surface of the board.

The paint tended to sit on the surface and did not behave like it would on paper. Where paint is drawn away and may spread as it absorbs into paper, on the Aquabord it does not. This makes you apply the paint differently on the Aquabord.  The fact that the paint sits on the surface means you can push it around quite a lot even after its dry. It is quite easy to build up layers of colours and you get great vibrancy of colour.

The nature of the surface also allows for amazing lift out. You can remove layers of paint to expose colours underneath or lift out back to the white of the board. This would be great for highlights and details like leaf veins. (see pics)

Being a board product no stretching or flattening is required as it is with paper.

Check it out, it's always fun to try something new.

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Back in the Saddle

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Holidays

It was lovely to have some time away at the end of 2015 and into the new year. We spent time on the Mid North Coast and also in rural Victoria. I was able to photograph some new and interesting things to paint and visit some spectacular scenery.

Vista from the Bago Bluff looking towards the Hastings river.

As they fell.

As they fell.

The 2016 Canberra show

I entered the Canberra Show again this year and won the Botanical section, I also sold two paintings!

It is sad to say but in my observation I think the days of the old style agricultural shows are numbered. It seems to be less about the display of the best quality produce, livestock, Art and crafts and more about the overpriced rides and show bags full of lollies and plastic. I do hope I'm wrong though!

 

Art in the Garden with Friends

 

 

The 9th annual exhibition of the Australian National Botanical Gardens, Friends of the ANBG Botanic Art Group opens this Friday 18th March at 6pm and runs until the 17th April.

There is a stunning diversity of work on display and is well worth a visit.

The creation of new work for the Friends of the Botanic gardens 9th annual exhibition.

Part time work

I have taken a part time job in an old friends Framing and Fine Art supplies store.  I am enjoying being part of the workforce again and the nature of the hands on work.

The work is another way to apply many of my skills. An eye for colour and design is useful in choosing matting, frames and getting the proportions just right to show work off to it's best advantage.

Testing samples of new papers for work.

Testing samples of new papers for work.

I get to do fun things like test new paints and papers to see if they are worth stocking.

 

www.framingpieces.com.au

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