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Creating texture in a painting

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I painted this artwork as a gift for a nephew and niece-in-law for their wedding present. It was a fun one to work on. It is 101cm x 76cm.

I started by spreading a thin layer of moulding paste onto the canvas and then used the end of a paintbrush to mark the design to create texture and interest before the moulding paste dried. You can do this in sections so the paste stays moist. You can also use stamps and linocuts to create texture in this fashion.

Then using professional acrylic paints I painted the background colours, using the darker tones to start with and I mixed some colours with clear medium to make the paint more translucent where needed.

After that, I brought in the lighter colours, then highlights. It's important to check the tonal values (darks and lights) and I do this by taking a photo and converting it to black and white on the photos app. You need good contrast of tone and also colours for a painting to work well.

I used the @smartist app to pop the painting into different settings to see how it might look. This is always loads of fun.

My nephew and niece-in-law love it and I'm so glad Uplifted is in its new home.

September 2023 News

Hi and welcome to my latest news

It's now only two weeks until my art exhibition and I have just finished the last painting a day or two ago. I still have lots of mini art cards to finish off and a bit of framing to do over the next fortnight. And some marketing! Gavin is helping with the admin side of things such as labels, catalogue and so forth, thank heavens. Also organising wine and drinks for the opening and getting things organised for some nibbles too. 

Every time I decide to have an exhibition there is a little thrill of excitement at the prospect. After that it's a roller coaster of emotion: from…

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Abstract in Development

This shows the progress of a recent abstract painting and how it developed along the way. When it was finally completed I named it "Alive". This painting is 1 metre square on a stretched canvas.

When I begin an abstract painting I may have a vague idea of what I would like to do. Then as the painting develops it often changes direction like this one did. Colour choices might also change and this can depend on what I feel the painting needs to lift it or add contrast and excitement.

I tend to choose bright colours rather than muted and I have pondered if that is a psychological need for zing in my life or just that I love bright contrasting colours? Food for thought!

News from the studio April 2023

Hello and welcome to my April news.

Over this last month or so I have finished a very large commission painting for one of my nephews and his wife. They have moved into a lovely new home in Sydney and have a long wall that would look fabulous with a large artwork. The painting they asked for is two metres long and one metre high. I sourced the canvas and oak frame from Art Canvas Services who make top quality made-to-order canvases and frames. The canvas was so large I had it delivered, and then …

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News from the studio March 2023

Hello and welcome to my March news.

I have been having a lot of fun in the studio since my last newsletter working on new paintings of various kinds and styles. I'm preparing for my exhibition in October and also working on a commissioned work. 

In this news, I share some thoughts about starting a new painting. Also, I was so inspired by some beautiful photographs taken by dear friends in the Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley, Western Australia, that I had to …

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Starting a Large Abstract

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Starting a Large Abstract

Sometimes when faced with a blank canvas I used to catch myself procrastinating. I felt like making those first brush strokes might ruin the whole painting before it’s even progressed. That all changed after listening to Nicholas Wilton from Art2Life. He recommended going straight in and making the first marks with paint or pen to get over the fear immediately.

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When is an abstract painting finished?

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When is an abstract painting finished?

This is a common question and the answer as you might imagine is very subjective. It can only be finished when the artist feels all the elements are just how they want them. This is likely to vary from artist to artist depending on what they were hoping to achieve with their art.

News from the Studio Winter 2021

Welcome to my winter newsletter!

I have been busy at work in my little studio and I would love to do a show & tell of what I have been up to. I have finished a series of three small abstracts and I have some new vases in the making. Wait till you see the fabulous drying stand that my clever partner Gavin whipped up. Genius!

Also, I'm planning to hold a paper mâché pot workshop for those who would like to know first hand all about my pot making process from start to finish. You can read more below.

I would love to hear from you!

With thanks, Jan

You can read the rest of my latest newsletter here. I hope you enjoy it.