Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.
Edgar Degas
As artists, we all have a favorite medium(s) to work with. When a kid, I started out with charcoal and graphite—mainly because that was what I could afford. But I did like getting my fingers into the charcoal and blending to create different shadows and effects. Eventually I was able to learn how to use student-grade oil paints. But they were never my favorite as I did not have the patience for their drying time. Oil pastels were my first big love. Again, I could get my hands into the process. The only problem was that oil pastels never dry. I did experiment with some spray fixatives, but that did not negate the issue that underneath that fixative it still was not dry. Again, I could not afford to frame all the work I was creating at the time. I was never a fan of “stick” pastels but did enjoy using pastel pencils as they more often rewarded my need for working with detail. I needed a change to inspire me.
That change for me occurred when I started painting abstracts which led to working with acrylics. As in the quote by Degas above, I didn’t know what I was doing at first. It took me awhile to appreciate the versatility of acrylic paint, but I certainly have become a “believer”. Watched a lot of videos, got some books, and eventually I fell in love with acrylics. When it comes to my painting habits, I absolutely love to create multiple layers, working with transparency and how the paints retain their vibrancy. Lately I’ve begun experimenting with different textures using various acrylic mediums, even adding small items to my paintings or creating collages. Having a material that encourages experimentation makes the process even more exciting and rewarding. I also appreciate the quick drying time of acrylics so that I don’t have to walk away from my painting to wait for a long drying time. Another plus—the ability to use gallery-wrapped canvas takes away the need for framing!
I still have a 120-count Sennelier oil pastel collection and decided to try them out again this week. I enjoyed working with them—they have such a beautiful creamy substance. However, I decided the need for framing is not something I want to deal with. This collection currently sells for over $400 but I am willing to let it go for very cheap if any of you are interested.
Whatever medium you have chosen, don’t be afraid to try something different. It might unlock a “good thing” inside you! Hope you are all finding joy and solace with your artwork.
Looking forward to seeing some amazing artwork at our monthly meeting!
Respectfully submitted by Diann Klink, President
Diann Klink – President