What is Interference colour ??

Posted on February, 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

Ok what is Interference Colour? Interference paint comes in Fluid or Heavy Body (in a tube) – simply put it is a paint when viewed from different perspectives the colour flips! Interference colours are quite unique. When painted over a Light background, the colour will “Flip” as you move it in the light. When painted over a dark surface, the colour of the Interference reveals itself. These “pigments” are a copy of naturally occurring colour in butterfly wings and bird features. To get the maximum effect, extend Interference colours with Transparent mediums, such as Polymer Medium (Gloss) or Soft Gel s, such as Polymer Medium(Gloss) or Soft Gel(Gloss)

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Quick Art Tip – What is the difference between Gel and Paste ?

Posted on February, 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

I often get people asking me What is the difference between Gel Medium or Paste?

Simply put….

Gel Medium is usually White when wet and dries Clear  ( with exception of Coarse Pumice gel and Extra Coarse Pumice Gel).

Paste is White when wet and stays the same colour when dry!

Gel mediums can be used an adhesive for  collage , to add texture to your artwork, to thicken paint, and added with paint can make a lovely glaze!

Pastes can add a lovely texture to your artwork, and depending on the type of paste you use you can get lots of different effects. examples of pastes are Crackle Paste, Fibre Past and Molding pastes light, hard, and coarse.

For more information regarding gels and pastes check out my upcoming Workshop to be held in Christchurch on March the 25th 2012!

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Strung Along – Abstract mixed media on Paper

Posted on February, 16, 2012 | Leave a comment
“Strung Along” Mixed Media on Paper

300mm x 420mm

This Artwork was created on Acid Free Paper.  This artwork will need to be framed.

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Posted in Art for Sale - ABSTRACTS, Art for Sale- REMEMBERING CHRISTCHURCH

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Zentangles – No.1 Forever Love

Posted on February, 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

What is a Zentangle?

Zentangles are fun and relaxing, you can create them anywhere anytime!  Creating these Zentangles helps to increase your focus, and creativity and helps to promote personal well-being!

To find out more about these wonderful Inspirational artworks click here :)  check out www.zentangle.com

Zentangle No.1 Forever Love

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Another Quick Art Tip for the Week- Painting with Contrast Colours …

Posted on February, 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Art Tip of the Week- Painting with Contrast Values

Value = the Lightness or Darkness of a colour.

To Brighten a colour paint its complementary colour beside it.

Complementary Colour – Combining a shade, tint or tone of one colour and the colour opposite on the colour wheel.

When two tones far apart from each other on the value scale are selected for example dark brown and cream,  and these tones are painted right beside each other, sharing a common edge, then that pair of tones are said to be in HIGH CONTRAST.

High- Contrast  pairs of colours appear to come forward, while Low-Contrast pairs of colours appear to recede

In this photo below …

1) I have mixed a blue background, and painted the korus with Van Dyke Brown and Titan Buff.

2) When paint is dry I have made up the background colour and mixed this with a glazing liquid and painted over the Korus that I wanted to appear to recede into the background.

Contrast colours with values …

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Art – Quick Tip – Blending Acrylic Made Easy with Golden Glazing Liquid !

Posted on February, 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Blending Acrylic  Made Easy with Golden Glazing Liquid !

How many times have you had trouble with trying to blend acrylic colours?

Acrylic dries fast so can be a real issue for people trying to blend with it!

Glazing is a wonderful way to add depth to your artwork !

There are, several great ways to Blend colours but today I am just going to talk about blending with Golden Glazing Liquid!

Using Golden Glazing Liquid is especially good for those that are new to painting?

You will need : Gel Medium Gloss, Glazing Liquid and 4 different colour Acrylic Fluid paints. (I like to use fluid paint as it doesn’t show brush strokes )

* Golden is the Brand Name, and the name of their product is Glazing Liquid.

1 – Seal your surface  that you are about to paint on,  with a layer of Gloss Gel Medium and allow that to dry.

2- Paint a straight layer of Golden Glazing Liquid over your surface, now it is very IMPORTANT : NOT TO LET THIS DRY B4 THE NEXT STEP!

3 -  On your palate, side by side (do not mix them together!) put an equal amount of  Golden Glazing Liquid and Paint.

 4 - Dip your brush into the paint and then glazing liquid and apply straight onto your surface, starting from one side of your surface to about the middle or 3/4 off the way across at that point stop and wipe off any paint left on your brush. ( you should notice that the paint where you started should be way more intense in colour and starting to lighten toward the middle of your surface.)  After you have wiped off  with a cloth or paper towel excess paint on your brush, continue to spread the glaze and paint toward the middle and right across your surface until you reach the other side. ( you should notice by the time you get to the other side you probably will have hardly any paint left just glazing liquid, that is good ! ) * If by this stage the paint is starting to dry and get sticky then STOP  and wait till it is dry b4 you paint any more!

Blending Glazing Liquid, Cad Red Med and Hansa Yellow Med Fluid acrylic paint

5- Now starting  in another area or corner repeat above process with 2 different colours.

Have Fun !!

( and don’t be shy I would love to hear how you got on ! )

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Art Tip – Transparent – Opaque and changing Pigments

Posted on February, 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Quick tip on differences between Modern and Mineral Pigments.

I know a lot of people have problems with trying to blend and mix different colours, and especially having problems with coverage of transparent colours over opaque colours.

1st off  know what pigments you are painting with Modern or Mineral

Modern Organic – pigments are usually bright and Transparent

Mineral Inorganic – pigments are usually duller or more earthy colours and are Opaque 

Remember that if you are painting over a Mineral pigment Opaque)with a  Modern pigment (transparent) to change the colour dramatically then you may strike some problems!   To make your Transparent colour opaque  just add a Very Small amount of Titanium white to it. 

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Handy Art Tips – Meths

Posted on January, 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

My Art Tip of the Week – Meths

What can you use to get rid of those troublesome bubbles that can appear in your Gel Mediums ?

When applying gel mediums for example Self leveling gel and sometimes you get little air bubbles all through the gel… just give them a quick spray of Meths…. and wolaaa the bubbles will disappear ! 

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Check out the latest Gordon Harris Newsletter!

Posted on January, 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Check out the lastest Gordon Harris Newsletter !

http://email.shoutpoint.co.nz/t/ViewEmail/r/67252825D8FF02E3/EBDABE5A99F7550EF1E87EB810D8F10A

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Art tip of the week- Gesso…

Posted on January, 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

My Art Tip of the Week

What is and why would you use Gesso ?

Gesso is an acrylic undercoat / primer and comes in  White or Black

Using Gesso – gives a ground to your surface, thus allowing a layer between the paint and substrate surface. ( which means you ultimately use less paint)

- Gesso is Very Opaque so covers up painting errors very well.

-Gesso needs to be used on any Wooden Board before painting and acts as a undercoat which protects the boards surface from any dampness that could be effected from applying straight paint.

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