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Tuesday 10 December 2013

Japanese Chrysanthemum: Continuing an Unfinished Artwork.

More than a year ago, I found a lovely specimen of Japanese chrysanthemum. I made the sketch and painted most part of the flowers. I stopped working on it when I had too many things to do between our moving back from the UK to Indonesia and my pregnancy. Last week, I decided to finish this unfinished work. And these are some little insights during the process.

I found that the paper's characteristics somewhat changed. It was more absorbent and its surface was not as robust as I remembered. I realised it when I used the wet washes and lifting technique frequently. I wonder whether it changed since I brought it back to Yogyakarta and neglected it for about 7 months.

I am still wondering how to solve the humidity problem in the tropical Indonesia. The Japanese Chrysanthemum was not the only one that had been affected. I faced the same problem when working on the Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum orchids. Not to mention my shocking encounter with the massive mold attack on my other drawings when I left them on the hardboard for 4 days only (when I was in the hospital, giving birth to my baby). The weather was so humid, it seemed to pose the watercolour paper with many risks. Does anyone of my kind readers here have any idea as to how to solve the problem?

Back to the unfinished painting, I tried some new green mixing I learnt from artistnetwork. I bought Winsor & Newton Permanent Sap Green and I found it was easy to mix with my existing colours. But what made me happy was that the sap green mixing was not as staining as Winsor Blue (green shade) that I usually use. It made lifting the pigment easier both when the paint was still wet/damp and when it completely dried. I mixed sap green with French Ultramarine to get a dark green, or Cadmium Lemon/ Cadmium Yellow Pale to get the bright one. And a little touch of Alizarin Crimson, if needed.

Another new thing I tried was using kolinsky sable brushes as my main tool. I decided to invest in Raphael series 8404 no 2 and 4 after Billy Showell's demonstration. I found the natural brushes was very different from my existing synthetic one (mostly Pro Arte series 101). Here are my first impressions of using Raphael kolinsky sable brushes:

1. They are bigger than the synthetic ones with the same number size. The Raphael size 4 is even a bit bigger than my Pro Arte size 6.

2. They have much bigger capacity to hold water. It is good for glazing/washing big area, on the other hand, it requires more watercolour mixing prepared. [Tips] Use a cheap/discarded brush to pick up pigments and mix watercolour rather than using an expensive sable brush.

3. They release water/paints slower but more evenly. So they tend not to dump water/paints in a puddle.

4. The tuft/hair is softer and bend more easily (or somewhat a bit defenselessly for me).

5. The brushes' tip do not naturally point out when dry (whereas the synthetic do) and need to be reshaped when wet (whereas the synthetic needn't). I was aware of it since I saw Billy kept twirling her brushes' tip on a kitchen towel after she dipped them in water/paints.
[Tips] I reshape the brush by loading the brush with water, then shaking the excess vigorously with my elbow or tapping the brush handle with my other hand before I dip it in the watercolour mixing. I usually have the brush tip very pointed afterward without touching my finger on it.

The kolinsky sable brushes are not cheap, but at least now I know the difference between them and the synthetic ones. I need much more practise to feel more comfortable with them. However, as other people said: knowing how to best use what you have is more important than the "tool" itself. Cheers!

Another post about taking care watercolour brushes is here.


And here is the scanned illustration.
28 x 38 cm - 300 gsm traditional white HP Fabriano Artistico paper.


5 comments:

Vicki Lee Johnston said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

It's just gorgeous Eunike - I love that you went back and finished it, especially after such big life changing events and very little spare time.
Your blog is so easy to follow - love the way you talk to us in such an easy to read manner.
Watching this beautiful artwork unfold has renewed my passion for botanical art after completing the SBA course. Your work has such a vibrancy and life to it and I appreciate you sharing your process. Enjoy your beautiful baby!

Janene said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Your painting is breathtaking, Eunike! I loved reading about your process too. I don't have much experience with humidity issues but Jessica Rosemary Shepherd recommends a product called Artsorb for framed works in vellum, since vellum is prone to buckling with humidity. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive. From the website, it sounds like it would work for any medium or support, but is mainly for framed works. Just thought I'd pass on the info. Best wishes!

Making A Mark said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Hi Eunica

Your painting has been selected for the Poll for "The Making a Mark Prize for Best Portrayal of Nature 2013". It was nominated by Vicki Lee Johnston

See http://makingamark.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/vote-for-best-artwork-on-art-blog-2013.html - especially the section on no lobbying.

However it's fine to alert people to the poll and the fact your painting has been selected.

Shasha said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I've always been a fan of your talent and artwork, and I love that you share them, including your process and experience, continuing to inspire people like me :)

With that, I have nominated your blog to the Liebster Blog Award.. I hope you could join in the fun :) Please check out my post about it below..

atelierniSHASHA

Thanks so much!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Hi,
Your illustrations are great!
For humidity, a friend of mine is using a machine like air-conditioner but not air-conditioner.. You can use it in the room where your works stay..

Best wishes,
Yesim Dursun