Art strives for form and hopes for beauty......George Bellows

windowtoart: "PAINTING": Intro to Washouts       Part 2    Painting Basics   Painting     Choices

WASHOUT'S: WEIRD OR WONDERFUL?

Well, that depends on one's esthetic outlook. The process appears to destroy one effect and replace it with another. Here is a unique combination of tempera and ink, the latter of which removes much of the former. If you like adventure, anticipate unexpected "changes" like the way ink roams in water, watercolors freely run, etc., and love to experiment, then this kind of unique painting is to be treasured. Let's see how all this happens!

The beginning: bright colors, thick paint, firm paper.

First, the Process

1. Choose bright, thick tempera paints. No black.
2. Use good quality drawing paper. I found water color paper better because of its textured surface which tends to hold a heavy paint application nicely.
3. Apply paint heavily. Palette knives are great.
4. Paint leaving spaces around shapes where the ink will silhouette them. Paint "loosely" where the ink will flow in-between in some areas.
5. Paint the hue you really want to show first, since overlapping ones are washed away leaving the bottom colors as a sort of "stain" in that place.
6. Background can be loosely/totally painted depending upon the amount of black background desired.
7. Let the painting dry. Cover completely with India Ink.
8. Remove the ink as described below.
9. Always do small practices paintings (6"x6")to test effects.

Step 2. Ink Covering

How Does This Happen?

Well, that depends on how the ink was "washed away". Usually, one takes the dried painting to the sink for ink removal by (1) filling it with a shallow amount of water, placing the painting into it, and gently removing the ink by hand or soft brush. Or (2) letting water fall softly from the faucet upon the painting for removal in the same way.

WARNING!WARNING! Be aware that most of the paint is quickly removed!

The ink will remain where you put it, it sometimes will adhere to some paint areas in irregular forms, spots and crevices, and all has been greatly modified with a black, mottled texture.

That flecked, dappled black appearing newly here and there is what I like best.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS

1. I love the results because I enjoy new happenings. Some students may not--especially those who are very realistically oriented. Good preparation is needed here and taking "before" pictures and printing them out is helpful and useful in evaluation later. Of course, grade before inking. Regard the after-effects as a process learned, a new interpretation and a classroom experience to be discussed and evaluated.

2. I offer a different way of ink removal which gives the creator more control over the water bath. Use a large paint brush, bowl of water and a sponge. Apply the water filled brush lightly to small areas at a time. Pick up residue with the sponge. Sponge, brush and water should be rinsed frequently and kept clean. Remove the desired quantity of ink from the shapes.

3. If too much paint is removed, is the painting a disaster? See the next section and find out!

flashing arrow     When disappointment happens a remedy can be found in the next section,
Washout 2 where the few tears that happen can be modified. Take a look!

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