Friday 26 September 2014

Neocolor and painting without a brush

Brothers point cottage; painted without a brush


I did a post a couple of weeks ago on the wonder of neocolor crayons and some folks out there asked about them, what were they and what could they do?




here is a quick sketch made using them, they are great for outdoor sketching as they are so immediate


Once the sketch is done water is added, as much or as little as you like.




and some line added. I often use this type of sketch as a step towards something more experimental, which is where the painting without a brush come into it.


using my brayer and white gesso I paint over a roughly collaged background.I refer to the tones of my original sketch but without the constraints of a brush I am forced to be free with the paint.


I add colour using only the brayer, no brush allowed!
The lines are made using the side of a plastic stencil dipped in acrylic raw umber.


The thistles are painted using a piece of scrunched up paper towel.


and the finished painting, I did add a few drawn lines for the grass detail and scratched through some of the paint in areas to add interest.
The finished piece is much more free than the original sketch, as you can see I covered many of the lines I made with the raw umber as I thought them too heavy. Creating is a process and often I have little idea what direction things will go. Sometimes it is all a happy accident!

Linking up to the wonderful paint party Friday ;)


 Rubha nam Braithrean



22 comments:

  1. Those neo colours look interesting. Both pieces are amazing, although I am drawn to the second.

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  2. Oh wow this is so so creative and beautiful. I love your free interpretation of the motive and how clever not to use a brush. It's so fresh and artsy. I love it!

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  3. excellent art and I love that stone wall

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  4. Thanks for the sweet tutorial. I got my neo's out this week too.. it's really different painting with them. I added some acrylic as well... I love your final painting...and how your personal style is always evident no matter what you paint! Love the pink peaking through the greenery!Beautiful!

    Hugs Giggles

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  5. so beautiful .... I love the linework, and the loose feel of it. Magical piece!

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  6. What a wonderful artist you are! I love those watercolor pencils--Prismacolor also has those and they're wonderful to use on the spot, then add water later. Your artwork fills my eyes--which is the greatest compliment I can give.

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  7. Painting without a brush! That is genius. You make me want to try it. Love the soft effect you have created using the scrunched up towel. Happy PPF

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  8. I was really interested to see what you do with the neocolours. My Dad loved using them and now I have several of his old sets. I've experimented some, but you have inspired me to get them out and try again. M.x

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  9. I haven't seen these crayons - but I certainly want some! I have some watercolour pencils and am wondering if they are a bit like that - but the colours are much richer than I have seen with pencils. Your brush free picture is absolutely beautiful, I love it. What fun to experiment like this. Thank you so much for visiting my blog as I am so pleased in turn to have discovered yours! Betty

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  10. Beautiful! I love the layers, as always you have such a unique and wonderful style. Those colors look neat. What fun!
    ~Happy Paint Party Friday~
    Thanks for sharing your work :)
    Tam

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  11. Wow...absolutely beautiful and inspiring! your work always feels alive to me..very special...magical and powerful!! Hugs friend! I haven't blogged much in awhile, just wanted to say hi!
    Victoria

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  12. wow- I love them both equally-you are so talented! Love the seaside photo too.

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  13. Gorgeous background and even more gorgeous sketches. I love the metallic looks you added. Very rich!

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  14. Because of your detailed description I now have a new way of using my Neocolors. This is great. I love the freedom and the gorgeous colors. Also, like Linda, I think the seaside photo is so pretty.

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  15. Beautiful painted sketches - I go through periods of using the neos - they are great when you travel and I love the effect when you wet them.

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  16. Beautiful, and how interesting to compare the sketch with the painting. Thistles are such beautiful flowers, though one often ignores them when thinking of favourite flowers!

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  17. Neocolours are so fun to work with - love both your pieces, particularly like the first sketch with the beautiful line work, you can almost feel a breeze making the grass and thistles sway :)

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  18. I love your free way of painting and it turns out so beautifully! Free and airy, your art is a reflection of all that space and beauty around you, it fills me with joy!

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  19. I think it's all so very exciting not knowing what direction you will take when starting a painting. Sometimes (as in my case) it can be a disaster but in other's it opens up a whole new world.
    Your explanation of the neos is greatly appreciated. The details are fascinating and the outcome just stunning.
    Thank you so much for sharing.
    Enjoy your weekend and PPF

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  20. I love seeing your process, and the painting's evolution! Nicely done!

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  21. Wow! I just love your finished piece. Thanks for showing us some of your steps.

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