That moment when you decide to cut a painting into quarters!

Week 34's mixing and an artwork demo with scissors

Week 34 featured artwork is a woodblock print on paper by the American artist Arthur Wesley Dow who was strongly influenced by the Japanese art of ukiyo-e woodcuts. Unlike the Japanese artists of the time, Dow completed the entire process himself, from initial carving to printing.

Coloricombo 2024 Week 34

“August Moon”, Five colour woodblock print on paper, Arthur Wesley Dow, ~1905 (source)

Mixing

The colours taken from the print were Vermillion, Petrol Blue, Sap Green & Deep Grey and here’s a thirteen minute video of me mixing them from QoR colours and White Titanium gouache. This week I used the mixes to create a background that’s then used for the artwork demo.

Demo

Playing with colour and marks is a great way to loosen up, allowing the process to lead the way.

I started this painting by using the mixes of colours from Week 35 with different paintbrushes as well as a toothbrush to create spontaneous marks that then got blown into different directions by using a hairdryer. It evolved into a layered painting in watercolour, white gouache, and a white Neocolour II crayon from Caran D’ache. The artwork was then cut into quarters and I carried on playing.

I did this painting on Hahnemuhle Harmony paper 300gm cold press size 30x30cm.

And here’s the end result, four slightly abstract paintings.

If you’re a full subscriber to #coloricombo you can see a video of the eighteen minute demonstration below, including the moment I decided to pull out the scissors and change direction.

If you enjoy these weekly coloricombo prompts please share them with others who’d enjoy a dollop of colour and creativity every week.