A Rose by Another Name

Painting by Vicky Christensen, mixed media on 12 x 12 inch canvas 

I've changed my name. Well, not my name, I'm still Vicky. But I have changed the name of my blog. Goodbye 'Learning to Paint', hello 'Staying Young at Art'.

I have wanted to change my blog's name for a while. Don't get me wrong, I am still learning something new with every painting and I know there will always be so many skills to work on. So I am forever learning to paint.

About today's painting: It started with a canvas on which I applied some torn painted deli wrap. Then, every time I finished another painting I took the leftover paint and applied it to this canvas. Some abstract shapes and color harmonies began to appear. In the meantime I had a photo that I have always wanted to paint, a rose from my old flower garden, and a few days ago it struck me that this canvas would be the perfect backdrop. So I slipped the photo into a plastic sheet protector and used quinacridone magenta high flow paint and a Fineline applicator to trace the flower. Add more paint and a couple layers of gloss medium and, voila, the result is a painted skin that I peeled off the plastic and collaged to the canvas.

Wrapping up one painting, working on another

Painting by Vicky Christensen, acrylic paint and mediums on 18 X 14 inch canvas 

I'm declaring this painting finished! I added some glazed shadows then painted over a lot of the texture with Liquitex iridescent medium. So along with the glass bead gel it has some cool light reflecting qualities.

In the mean time I have been working on another small canvas. Below is a peek at the skin that will be used on that painting. I'm waiting for the medium to dry before putting everything together and keeping my fingers crossed that the painting will come together without mishaps.

Acrylic skin for work in progress 

Work in progress, day 2

Mixed media on acrylic grounds for pastels 

I did a little more work on Charlotte's portrait. Tonight I drew Charlotte on the acrylic skin with Cretacolor Aquamonolith watercolor pencils. I alternated between drawing with pencils then brushing on acrylic glazing liquid. The acrlic ground for pastels has enough tooth that I was able to layer more pencil strokes after each layer of glaze. The glaze liquifies the watercolor pencils and acts as a fixative. I may follow up with some acrylic highlights and shadows, but so far I am pleased with the results.

Below is the canvas after I glazed it to mute the colors then used matte gel to add some gauzy fabric  to simulate sheer curtains. After it dries it will need more glazes before I add Charlotte to the scene. I'm going for the impression of a window overlooking a flower garden.

Work in progress