Mixed Media Thursday - my latest mixed media painting on canvas

One of my half-done projects has been resting on my easel stand for a really long time. Occasionally, I would feel inspired to throw some inks and paints on this mixed media canvas. But it was one of those projects that never quite seem finished. Do you have any projects like that?

Since we had a long CNY weekend break, I decided to tackle this canvas ONE last time and just finish it. And I did (Yay...go me! *High fives all around*)

I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out. What do you think?

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A mixed media self-portrait on canvas

As you know, I've been practising drawing self-portraits in my sketchbook this year. I decided to use one of the sketches as my reference and work on my second mixed media self-portrait on canvas (see my first mixed media self-portrait on canvas). Of course, I chose to use the self-portrait sketch that drove me nuts because I like to "torture" myself unnecessarily. *LOL*

The background is a mish mash of scrunched up wrapping tissue, gesso, acrylic paints and inks. Then I did my initial sketch with a waterbrush pen filled with purple Liquitex acrylic ink. I like working with this ink because of its transparency (lets me build layers) and open time (even when it dries to touch, I can still lighten the colour with a wet towel and vigorous rubbing).

This was how it looked mid-point....bearing little resemblance to me. *hahaha*

Here was how it looked when I was working on the details...

Moving forward, I might have to reconsider how I do the backgrounds for my portrait paintings. While the tissue and gesso added some nice texture, it also created weird bumps and uneven surfaces which made it difficult to paint over.

Plus, I might have been too heavy-handed with my inks when working on the background. See the green bits on the forehead and cheek? The green keeps emerging even after several layers of heavy-body artist grade acrylic paint. If people ask, I shall say it's artistic style but you and I know both the truth *shh...don't tell ok?*

I hung my painting up on the wall and tweaked the details over the course of a few days. Apparently, walking past a painting every day helps you see it with fresh eyes. I think I'm going to seal this painting and move on to the next. What do you think?

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Mixed Media Monday: Another painted eye on canvas

Hello friends! This past weekend, I challenged myself to complete an eye painting in one afternoon.

Usually I'll take my time...work on some layers one day, make adjustments another day...

This time, I had to work faster....working on another part of the painting while one part was drying...

I think it turned out quite okay for a "rushed" piece of work....

I used one of my eye sketches from my #the100dayproject as reference.

Happy week ahead friends!:)

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Another mixed media eye painting inspired by one of my #the100dayproject sketches

Hello friends! I'm determined to make the most out of my eye sketches from #the100dayproject so here is another mixed media eye painting.

I started with a messy mixed media background created with inks and acrylic paints. The crinkly bits are scrunched up wrapping tissue. Then I went in with inks on a brush pen to draw my eye.

This particular eye painting drove me a little nuts because of the eye angle.

I had to repaint it a few times to get it to look somewhat decent.

I went a little crazy with the eye lashes. *winks*

Then I finished by adding more paints and inks on the background for a more cohesive look.

I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out after many attempts to fix the eye angle. It looks very vibrant and eye-catching in real life. :)

Happy week ahead friends!

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Mixed Media Monday: Another painted eye on canvas

Hello friends! Here's another mixed media eye painting on canvas.:)

I used another one of my eye sketches from #the100dayproject as my reference image.

I wanted to keep it in muted pastel colours but clearly my dominant hand and left brain had other plans. *winks*

Happy week ahead friends!

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Mixed Media Monday: Mixed media eye on canvas

Well it's been a while since I've painted a mixed media eye on canvas...

Now the base for the canvas was done a while ago...but was just sitting around waiting for me to paint in a focal point...you know, one of those in the half-done pile. I did add in some white and gold paint splatters for a more updated look. *winks*

Then I decided to use one of my eye sketches (from #the100dayproject) as a photo reference for my eye painting. :)

I drew in my eye using Liquitex acrylic inks with a handy water spray to create a diffused look.

I added drips to the top of the canvas for a cohesive feel.

I went in with a white gel pen for the fine details.

I finished by dry brushing white paint around the eye to help guide the viewer's eye.

The reflection from the gold paint makes it hard to photograph it true to colour but here she is hanging on my wall.

Happy week ahead friends! :)

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My latest mixed media eye on canvas...:)

Hello friends! Just popping in to share my latest mixed media eye on canvas. :)

The base of this 20 x 20 canvas is scrunched up recycled wrapping tissue for texture without bulk, whitewashed with gesso and then covered with paint, inks and watersoluble crayons. You know, my usual modus operandi. *winks*

I had so much fun with the ink splatters on this one....except for the part where I had to clean up the overzealous splattering.

Happy week ahead friends! :)

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Mixed Media Tuesday: Another huge eye on canvas painting

Hello friends! Presenting another huge eye on canvas paining (20x20 inches)...:)

I have been enjoying the process of painting these huge eyes on canvas. As always, I started with scrunched up wrapping tissue on canvas, then gessoed and  layered with paints and inks. Then I finished by painting in my huge eye. :)

I really like the ink drips and splatters on the background.

What do you think?

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Mixed Media Tuesday: The journey of a self-portrait

Oh well. You know the day would come when I would attempt a self-portrait painting right? And a large one too! Because your girl is crazy! *winks*

I started with my usual mixed media messy background play with paints, inks, stencils and gesso. Then I went in with my rough sketch using a charcoal vine. It's messy but totally erasable (with a wet cloth) so you don't feel so committed to your lines (haha!)

As you can clearly see, I'm sooooooo bad at sketching! I mean, she looks nothing like the photo right?

Then I went in with my first layer of acrylic paints and worked on the details with a water brush pen filled with ink. Nephew #1 came into my room at this point and asked me who I was painting. The first thing he said was, "Why does she look so fat?" *LOL*

Here I am fine-tuning the details after I scaled down on those massive fat cheeks. It's weird that we see ourselves so differently. I've always felt that I've such chubby cheeks.

After hours of painting and re-painting because the folks said she looked nothing like me, I was finally done when nephew #1 said, "Wow. What did you do? She looks like you."

Now of course, I have to paint everyone in the family. At least that's what mum says. And you know, mum is the Empress Dowager. *winks*

What do you think?

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