Sunday, May 29, 2011

A Platter for Two



A Platter for Two

9.5cm

Coloured pencils and pan pastels on wood primed with colourfix primer

I have had one of those weeks one step forward, two steps back, and have had to start a couple of artworks over several times, due to lots of little problems. Anyway time is starting to run out, as the Australian Society of Miniature Art National Awards Exhibition looms closer and closer, so it was high time to get a couple of miniatures done. This was my third attempt at this one, as in my first two attempts, I underpainted with white acrylic, followed by clear Colourfix primer, only to find that the acrylic undercoat simply blended with the primer and created a smoky mess. This hasn't happened before, and so on the third attempt, I primed with white gesso and then the colourfix primer with a much better result. I love working with the clear gesso, but for some reason the tooth and texture gives me a rash where my hand is resting, and so I've gone back to the clear Colourfix primer which doesn't seem to have that effect. This little miniature was done on a timber coaster, which, surprisingly it took me quite a while to find. Again, you will notice that those little mice have trespassed into my artwork - just can't get rid of them!!! :)

6 comments:

BonBonChihuahuas said...

This is just adorable! Love your little trespassers!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much BonBonChihuahuas for your lovely comment and I'm so happy you like those little pests!!! :)

Mona Diane Conner said...

Can't believe how tiny this one is Karen, and on wood! Very nice color nuances in those grapes! Will the wood coaster be a hanging miniature, or how are you thinking of presenting it for the show?

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Mona - I have tossed up a lot as to how to present it, but I think it will detract from what I'm trying to achieve if I frame it in any way, so will probably attache the D rings directly to the back. It is meant to look like a miniature platter, so I think I will show it that way :)

Autumn Leaves said...

Congrats on your placing in the event mentioned below. So well-deserved, Karen. This little piece just made me smile as soon as your blog opened for me. Love those gorgeous grapes!

Unknown said...

Thank you Sherry - your lovely comments always put a smile on my face and I love your new avatar too!!! :))