Saturday, February 27, 2010

Reflections - Work in Progress - update 5


Hi All,

Well... here is the next update. I'm continuing to work my way down using the same techniques as before.

One of the things I noticed about the suede board is it actually seems to work better if you use a duller pencil. Although; I am using a fairly sharp pencil when laying down the fur. It's interesting.... drawing on the suede board really doesn't feel like drawing, instead it feels more like I'm painting. I just love it and I have to say I think this will be my support of choice more often than not.

I can't remember if I told you where to get the Suede Mat board.... I get it from my framer so, if your looking for it check with your local framer. It can be quite pricey but it comes in a very large sheet of 30" X 40" so you can do several pieces from that sheet. The color I used on this one is called Moccasin. One of the things I learned from a fellow artist is you don't want to work on the darker colors of the suede board, you will have a problem covering it.

If you have any questions just fire away and.... by all means keep Scribbling!! Gemma

6 comments:

  1. Are you having any problems with the pencil disappearing into the suede yet? That used to happen to me all the time. Which color suede is this Gem? It looks perfect for this puma.

    Nancy

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  2. Hi Nancy, The color I'm using is called moccasin. I don't seem to have a problem with the pencil disappearing but that maybe because I use Gamsol to kind of paint it into the suede. I use a bristle brush, dip it into the Gamsol and then blot the brush on a paper towel and then scrub it into the suede. I usually only do this on the first one or two layers. After I have the base layers I just draw like usual.

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  3. Oh my gosh Gemma! I never would have thought of doing it that way!! That's a great idea I may just have to borrow from you. I have no clue what Gamsol is, but I'm going to Jerry's tomorrow, so I can pick up a can and find out. Thanks for the brilliant idea! If it keeps the color from disappearing into the suede, it is well worth it.

    Let me ask you a few questions if you don't mind: First, you apply one layer of cp onto the suede, then you brush the Gamsol onto the part of the suede with the cp on it. This probably works like solvent on cp on paper then, if I am reading this correctly. Do I have this correct or have I misunderstood something?

    Second, how many layers of cp do you generally get on top of the Gamsol?

    Nancy

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  4. Gamsol is a mineral spirits, it's just like a solvent but it's has no fumes. It's great stuff.

    I apply at least one or maybe even two or three layers and then apply the gamsol. It makes the color absorb into the suede and then I add the layers on top. What is really cool is you don't have to wait for the gamsol to dry, you can apply your next layers right away.

    You can gets lots and lots of layers on top of the gamsol layers. The thing I really like about the suede is it takes soooo many layers. I just love it!! The other thing I do a lot of is use a bristle brush to scrub the layers in too suede, you have to be careful with that because you can erase the layers as well.

    I hope this helps.... Gems

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  5. I am excited about your new dog project! He is beautiful! I can almost reach out and pet him! Wonderful job!

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  6. Thanks John!! I appreciate you nice comments.

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