"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Moonglow

Today I decided to use a sample jar of Golden Light Modeling Paste that I had hanging around.  This is done on a piece of illustration board, 7" x 12."  I put a light coating of modeling paste on the board with a putty knife and then drew on it with the rounded end of a paint brush handle.  It was painted with watercolors and then I dry-brushed Golden gold fluid acrylic over the surface.  The light modeling paste is very different from the extra-heavy gel - it is not as hard to work with and does not dry to a real hard surface.  It seems to be more fibrous - much like a refined paper mache product.  It takes the watercolor very well.

10 comments:

Ruth Steinfatt said...

What a great piece. I love the gold on it. Very effective.

Barb Sailor said...

Thank you Ruth! I agree with you about the gold - it seemed to pull it all together.

jgr said...

Oh, it's really great- I love the effect of the modeling paste.

Autumn Leaves said...

Wow, Barb! It is so rare for me to like pieces that tend to the abstract but I absolutely love this. The palette is my favorite (blues, greens), the patterning even prettier than paisley (which I adore), and the sense of night...sigh...Just truly a gorgeous piece! I love that your art branches into so many diverse pieces! You are amazing!

Beads2yarn said...

This is really beautiful. your colors are so beautiful.

Barb Sailor said...

Jane...the modeling paste is a new and unique experience for me. I am enjoying experimenting with the projects in this new book - Celebrate Your Creative Self by Mary Todd Beam.

Barb Sailor said...

AutumnLeaves - well you know that I don't usually lean towards the abstract but I have enjoyed this. Blues and greens are also my favorite colors. I think I branch into so many areas because as a high school art teacher for almost 40 years, I had to know how to use many varied media. The unfortunate aspect is that old saying - Jack of all trades, master of none! The advantage is that I have some knowledge about a lot of different things! That makes me dangerous, Eh? tee hee! We art teachers have to be resourceful, too!

Barb Sailor said...

Thanks you, Beads2Yarn! The light modeling paste takes the watercolor paint very well and it is very easy to mix your colors on it - a great experience. I think I will see some more of this stuff in my future!

Autumn Leaves said...

Don't sell yourself short, Barb. I think you are indeed the master of many. I'd give so much to be able to paint as you do!

Barb Sailor said...

Autumn Leaves - I so appreciate you wonderful comments...I guess that wherever we are in our art, we know that the journey has no end - it is a continuous trek so we are always aiming for what we think will improve our art. Being an artist is a continuous process of discovery, wonder, and hopefully, achievement. What I do know is that the process of creating is much more rewarding than the product!