Just what do you do with acrylic mediums?
When I decided to pursue art as a career two years ago my experience with acrylics was mixing poster paint with PVA glue in school art classes. More than a few years ago. The results were OK but nothing I could get excited about. Knowing virtually nothing and keen to find out more, I set about some research. It lead me to a book “The New Acrylics” by Rheni Tauchid. The section on mediums caught my eye. The possibilities opened up before me…
Up until recently, I have only used acrylics in a conventional painting way. But I was still a little timid about working with acrylics. So I decided to try something different. It was time to paint something new- or is sculpt a more accurate phrase?
Here it is! I’ve used lots of mediums, some unintentionally!
So, what have I used?
Acrylic inks and paint on stretched canvas – obviously.
The dark blue area is acrylic paint with Galleria glass bead medium mixed in.
WARNING- mediums tend to be white when in the jar and can easily be confused with white paint- especially when they’re the same brand in the same shape jar. The blue has glass beads in it because I originally painted it pale blue…and picked up the wrong jar…need I go on.
I’ve found I prefer the glass bead medium painted over a dry paint layer (above) rather than mixed into it (below).
Next I mixed Daler Rowney 3D clear gel with orange paint and used a piping syringe and nozzle to go around the large triangle. I still need more practice with the piping syringe but I quite like the raggedy appearance of the line. This took a few days to dry.
I then painted the large triangle background pale yellow and used Golden Self-levelling gel. The canvas needs to be level for this stage. I dripped acrylic inks into the gel and used a cocktail stick to draw it out into lines and swirls. It takes a few days to dry properly…
…My second mistake was to try and paint the sides whilst this was drying- I tilted the board and rearranged my design. Fortunately I like the effect so no real harm done.
The top right shape started by scoring the wet blue paint making a grid pattern. I used Daler Rowney 3D clear gel again mixed with alizarin crimson this time. Using a card comb I created the red quarter circles. Some of the red paint is caught in the grid pattern.
A yellow grid pattern was painted into the small triangle. Then I dipped non-adhesive Scrim tape into acrylic ink and layered it on top.
I used the same technique with a mesh ribbon to make the black stripe.
So, back to the overall result… so far.
I had intended adding more but I’m not sure I want to. So I’m leaving it as is while I decide. What do you think?
Whatever I decide to do with it, I’m going to be playing with more acrylic mediums!!!!
Abstract Art by Cathy Read 