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Subject: "Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

Study and Teach Fine Art Techniques Oil Painting Techniques by A. L. Antonov Topic #21

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Mary M
Member since Nov-27-02
12 posts,

Jan-08-03, 02:36 PM ()

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"Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

Hello Alexei and fellow artists,
I am trying your directions from the videos for gessoing the canvas. I like the consistancy of the gesso/modeling paste mix but am having some difficulty getting an "all over" even surface. I am using a big icing knife as you suggest, maybe it's not right. I am having some areas that don't want to fill right, it does feel nice when sanded but I can see it is still not perfect.

Also when I drew the brown ink on the gessoed surface (in this case a masonite board) some areas had "bleeding" and I lost detail that I needed. Can I just use a permanant micron pen? or do you suggest the traditional ink in a bottle?

Love this website and can't wait to get all the help I can from it.
Mary

Admin
Member since Jul-29-02
93 posts, 6 feedbacks,

Feb-05-03, 08:29 PM ()

1. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

Hi Mary:
Sorry for delay.
Yes, priming process requires certain experience and according to your description, there is not enough moisture in your gesso/modeling paste mix. Make it’s consistency like syrup (not heavy one, which is more light) by adding more water
I recommende traditional ink in a bottle.
Regards.
Alexei

Mary M
Member since Nov-27-02
12 posts,

Feb-06-03, 01:38 PM ()

2. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

Hi Alexei,
So glad you replied! I will try to add a bit of water, since I posted I tried to cut down on the amount of modeling paste and it was better, but maybe as you said I just needed more water. Also I tried using a smaller, thin pallette knife and it worked better for me. I'm getting better at it, I like it better than my old way of brushing on the gesso.

I'm attaching a painting I've started, I tried to draw the ink but had a bit of trouble with it 'bleeding' in areas of the face. I am taking a class and am going to follow the school's method of painting for this one, is it ok with you for me to still post my progress and get comments?

You are a very inspiring teacher and painter.
Mary M
www.marymcandrew.com
www.meaus.com (Museum of European Art - Co-Director)

Rafterman1980
Member since Dec-28-02
8 posts,

Feb-06-03, 04:45 PM ()

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3. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

please excuse; which video (by title) are you talking about
specifically?

many thanks:-)

Rafterman1980
Member since Dec-28-02
8 posts,

Feb-06-03, 05:02 PM ()

4. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

from my spouse; your underpainting has a very transcendent
quality, very lovely, though she finds the uppermost 'cloud' that is
in quite a contrast against the dark background, and a bit darkly outlined toward the bottom- loosing it's cohesive quality with the rest of the picture; distractingfrom the main image........

hope it's okay to mention it

Mary M
Member since Nov-27-02
12 posts,

Feb-06-03, 09:42 PM ()

5. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

Hi Rafterman,
It's definitly ok to mention it! You can look at your own painting and not see things. I see what you mean about it standing out differently. I'm trying to do this as a night/or twilight sky, this is the moon behind her, there will be stars in her hair. It's hard because I'm working from different pictures and need to imaging the moon behind clouds. Right now it's in the plain Burnt Umber stage.

I will post new pictures as I get to work on it, that won't be till next week.
Thanks,
MaryM

Mary M
Member since Nov-27-02
12 posts,

Feb-06-03, 09:47 PM ()

6. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

Hi ,
I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you what video. I have both, I went a little crazy and bought both, set me back quite a bit but worth every penny. Just so I can watch them over when I want. I feel that in the still life video he covers more about panel preparation. of course it's still hard to imagine till you try it yourself. I wish Alexei would put out the video he mentions in his video(at the end) of the quick techniques of Rubens!!!
Do you have either?
MaryM

Rafterman1980
Member since Dec-28-02
8 posts,

Feb-06-03, 10:42 PM ()

7. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

spouse again: as far as i know the 'dutch shortcut method' video
and the mature rubens video haven't been released yet; i also
am anxious to purchase them........

have you seen the work of susan seddon boulet; some of her
female figures share that transcendent quality,

ps; can't wait to see this finished:-)

Rafterman1980
Member since Dec-28-02
8 posts,

Feb-06-03, 10:48 PM ()

8. "RE: Gessoing canvas and ink drawing"

also you can add your voice to others about which video or videos
you are interested in at the general discussion section under the
related heading:-)