Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Advice please :)
I dug this canvas out which I had started on several months ago. I laid scrim on top and held it down with gesso then punched holes through and stitched French knots in a cotton thread.
The idea was to paint it then use the wax technique directly on top without a layer of tissue paper.I wanted to do a rust sort of effect like the last piece I worked on, so I put on a first coat of Paynes grey. Then I went over the top with Transparent Red Iron Oxide - I'm in love with those two colours at the moment.
This is the result although this photograph doesn't really show it off properly.
Just a few close ups - wouldn't be the same without them!

And now I'm not sure what to do.


I really like this piece as it is and am not sure if I want to wax over the top. Admittedly, I could make another one but I know it wouldn't look quite the same.


Shall I go for it or leave it as it is?

17 comments:

Shirley Anne Sherris said...

Hi
There is a saying - 'if in doubt, leave it out'.
Why not do a series of three to sit side by side- each one would be slightly different but of the same technique??
Cheers

Unknown said...

If this means that the wax is taking/ sealing a lot of the texture I wouldn't do it. I always love scrim details. If you want a smoother surface, than go ahead! The colours are gorgeous and I love the contrast of the little knots.

hippopip said...

It`s great as it is were you referring to acrylic wax? I think this can sometimes give a rather"plastic" effect, but you know better than me.Pippa

Ruth said...

If you like it - just leave it. You could always do it later if you felt it needed something more. Sometimes if I let a piece sit around for a while, it "lets me know" if I need to do anything else with it or if it is complete.

coral-seas said...

If YOU like it as it is, then job done!

If you put the wax on and don't like it as much, there's no going back.

CA

Carol said...

For me i would say don't add the wax, the texture is stunning, I would leave it. For me a little more blue would make a better focal??? Or is that my love of blue? The centre just feel a bit flat for me? Remember now constructive cristisism!

Susan D said...

I agree with everyone else. If you are happy with how it is leave well alone, you can't undo it once it's done.

Debbi Baker said...

It looks great Lynda - beautiful texture and colours. I'd say your decision will depend on what you want it for - is it finished as it is or were you planning on building on it even if you don't add wax? For me I think it probably needs a stronger focal point if it is a stand alone piece - the knots lead my eye around it but they don't settle anywhere. Actually I just looked again and now I am seeing a woman's (naked?) upper torso with a string of broken beads around her neck! I'd better get off the computer and get in the shower - it is a work day after all!

Unknown said...

These are the same two colors that are on my work table . . . yummy! Maybe a little more blue . . .

neki desu said...

i'd leave it as is.
i'm going through a restrain- minimal- phase, even redesigned the blog :)
neki desu

MixPix said...

I agree with Debbie Baker's comments above; if I were to work on it, I'd add a bit more pure blue in the centre to heighten contrast, and a touch of gold, something like markal stick rubbed against only one side of the french knots. I love the textures and the technique - thanks so much for sharing - I have a bunch of canvasses lying around which I didn't want to use for standard painting, and now I know what I can do with them, perhaps for a future challenge.

sharon young said...

Hi Lynda
I love the textural effect you've created here and the colours are wonderful, if it was mine and I liked it , I'd definitely leave it as it is and maybe do what Shirley suggested.
I'm so pleased now that I didn't add stitching to my snowdrops and was very glad of everyone's comments at the time.
Isn't that just the wonderful thing about the blogging community!!

Anonymous said...

Do two more so you have a series of three. With each one, you can experiment a bit more knowing you have this one you like that you don't want to mess up.
Looks great!

Marilyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dianne said...

Wonderful Lynda! I love the "earthy" colours used.

Digitalgran said...

I like it just as it is Lynda, but maybe Shirley's idea is a good one?

Laurence said...

I love texture.
laurence