Intuitive Abstract Part 2
Terms and definitions:
Scumbling: a dry brush technique. Use a bristle paintbrush or a dry rag to rub in circles a thin layer of color over a dry background. Scumbling creates texture. How to know if you’re scumbling? If you can hear the brush moving on the canvas.
Glazing: a thin layer of wet paint added over a dry background. Use a soft hair paintbrush and use a transparent pigment AND/OR water your pigment down with water. If you’re not sure if a pigment is transparent, add water to your mixture. Glazing creates smooth, soft layers. How to know if you’re glazing? If it’s silent when you’re adding layers.
Glazing and scumbling are layering thin, transparent coats of paint over other colors. Glazing and scumbling do not cover the first layer completely – they mostly affect the color of the first layer.
Group photos
Intuitive Abstract Part 1
If you’d like to continue playing with the abstract techniques you learned tonight, keep in mind these variables:
- the color (of course!),
- the way you hold the brush (close to the bristles versus towards the end of your brush, or with a tight grip versus a loose grip),
- the amount of paint you scoop,
- the amount of water on the paintbrush,
- size of the brush,
- hair or bristle brushes,
- the number of marks you make and the amount of white canvas kept between the marks,
- the distribution of the marks on the canvas (otherwise called “composition”),
- and the speed of your touch.
The more studies you make, the more informed you will be for your final abstract. There are only benefits to creating more quick and fun studies.
