jlikeart Demo: "Cantilever"
This is a detailed demonstration of a painting I did last year. First, I started with a 9 inch by 12 inch canvas board and divided the space with masking tape. Then I used permanent ink to fill in the spaces with rectilinear shapes and crossing lines. This is the anchoring layer of the painting. A construct to build upon.
For this painting, I applied a light layer of clear sealer before removing the tape and painting an undertone, thinned with water. The color wash over the sealer provides a little bit of a resist and supports the divided areas.
After the undertone has completely dried, I embellish the square forms with colored inks. It's here I decide to make the squares resemble stonework. I used reds and browns to enhance the effect.
Next, I fingerpaint a bold, red line through the middle of the plane and fashion a cantilever for the emerging structure. This gives weight to the piece. The addition of green creates a contrast and sense of depth.
Here I add a bit of dimensional detail to the structure. I also begin fleshing out a grove of abstract trees, using the intersection lines as a minimal framework.
I added large patches of dark green make the trees stand apart. I believe this is called occlusion.
For the last section of space, I chose to create a walking path with parallel flower beds on either side. As you can see, the red in the painting begins to "hover" over the green.
Here's where I add pips of color and to give the piece a bit of brightness.
The end is fast approaching. I add stepping stones to the walkway and highlight to masonry with a reddish color wash for balance. After it's all done, I sign it, seal it and frame it.
Cantilever by Joey Like
2010
As you'll see in later on this site, most of panels I leave unframed, but this particular painting I mounted in a simple black frame earlier this year. Enjoy!
Artist's Note: This painting was sold in August 2010 to a local architect and his wife at an outdoor art sale.