I have been working with Embossing powders off and on for the past few weeks. This week, I tried painting my basic background first, then using the embossing powder to "draw" my Sycamore trees. We had such a beautiful Autumn this year, and I have been fascinated with the "Silver" sycamore trees that seem to stand out against the hill sides. Now that all the leaves have gone, (almost overnight!) these living artworks are distracting me when I'm driving down our narrow road!
For my background, I used plastic wrap wrinkled over my wash across the center of my painting to create texture. I did several layers, letting each one dry before applying the next. (One thing watercolor has taught me is PATIENCE!) I used the Gum Arabic mixed with a small amount of water and a Golden Fleece size 0 brush to draw the trees. These trees are dark at the bottom, and get white on the way up, so I am careful how I add the highlights, trying not to get too heavy. I do only a few branches at a time, then pour the powder on & dump it off. Then I repeat the process until I have a section of trees done. I can always go back and add branches to fill out bare spaces, so I just start with a basic "clump" of trees. It helps me to have several photos of trees for reference, not to copy exactly, but to get a general idea of the grouping and the ways the branches curve. I tried to get a video of the heating process so you could see how the branches "grow" when heated, but I'm having "technical difficulties" . Seriously, this is as exciting a watching the colors form when working wet into wet watercolor! I urge you to try this. I am including some photos of the most recent trial. I think it turned out much better than the first!
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AuthorI think it is important to share our process with others, just as we gain from watching other artists work. Archives
January 2025
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