Saturday, April 26, 2008

Two More Attempts with Gesso


Well okay, I don't give up easily. I wasn't happy with my first try (the post below), so I tried again. I like these better. And once I pretty much accepted that I wouldn't get much, if any, dimensional texture with the brand of gesso I used, I was reluctantly okay with that. On these I sponged the gesso onto the stamps, and stamped onto the surface. Which I had also gessoed, and let dry, before I stamped. I think one reason my first piece, Doodle Bird Haunting, seemed so washed out was because I stamped onto the brown side of the pizza cardboard, then painted over it. It didn't allow for much contrast with the paints, I think. I'm glad I learned from that.

I did use straight caulk sponged onto stamps, then stamped onto another piece. That gave me the dimensional texture I wanted and expected. I love that stuff!!! However, it didn't show up well at all in the scan. But I like that piece, and will most likely use it for the postcard swap.

So, I guess all is well that ends well, and I learned some things along the way about gesso. Thanks for all the info about gesso people gave me, in comments, and also in yahoo groups.



16 comments:

morningDove said...

wow the difference in your 2 posted pieces are amazing. But i do like all the different techniques you tried. You inspired me, bc i'm not sure i would have kept on working on the first piece trying different things. Doodle birds are so cute and whimsical.

mary schweitzer said...

You always do the most interesting and creative things! What a mind!! Did the background gesso dry before you stamped on it?
Mary

Mary S. Hunt said...

i happen to find them all terrific ...especially as backgrounds!

Lindart said...

Lovely!! I must try this!

Anonymous said...

Val,
These are lovely pieces and you are documenting all your trials and successes very nicely. But honey, I really think you should cut back on ordering pizza delivery. Maybe you could think of something artsy to do with the plastic bags that salads come in.

:o)

:Diane

Sheila Vanessa said...

They are lovely, thanks for sharing with your blogger friends.

Ms Dragonfly said...

they look so good, i love them and the colors you chose :)

lklight said...

I do a lot of surface design work & recently found the best gesso in the world from...
http://www.utrechtart.com/
It's cheap, about $20 a gallon & incredibly thick, like frosting.
There are 3 grades, basic, something in the middle & the professional grade, I get the one in the middle.
Finding this stuff has been the highlight of my year!!!!

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Love these! The second set is so much brighter. Marva

Faye said...

Wonderful! These look a lot more textured. I loved the original Doodle Bird Haunting, but I like these even more. Thanks for putting down the step-by-step directions.
Faye

mary schweitzer said...

Check out my blog, you've been awarded.
Mary

ScaryCheri said...

Val I just love the colors you are using and those leaves turned out fantastic. Well done. Hugz, Scary

~*~Patty S said...

Love what you've done with gesso! I would really like to get the hang of using it with stamps! I just pick up some real thick gesso made by Liquitex, it seems like great stuff. I am enjoying the artwork on your blog!

Anonymous said...

I really like the work you're doing, experimenting with textures, backgrounds, etc and combining them in interesting ways. I'm experimenting with similar techniques, combining traditional and digital media, photography and painting, and your blog is an inspiration!

Michi Michaelson, Orange County, CA said...

Hi Val!
I LOVE your TWO MORE ATTEMPTS WITH GESSO . . . they are GORGEOUS!!!!! Now . . . where did I put MY Gesso?!?! LOL!!!!!!!

ArtPropelled said...

I love these pieces! Charming!