Tag Archives: Donna Steel

Art Tip – Transparent – Opaque and changing Pigments

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. 

Art tip of the week- Gesso…

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.

“Transform “Playing around with transfering My Painting and Photography images to create…..

Transform - By Donna Steel

Playing around some of my Artwork Images and my own photography came up with this Image – Transform

cheers Donna

Check out my new Weekly – Art tip of the Week! Tip 1.

Donna’s Art Tip of the Week – Titanium Vs Zinc White ?

My Art Tip of the Week - Sunday 8th January 2012

Tip 1. Titanium Vs Zinc White ?

Make sure when mixing White to a colour you use the right one for what you are wanting!

Titanium White is more opaque and when added to a colour changes that colour giving it more of a Pastel Tone.

Zinc White is more Translucent and when added to a colour just slightly tones down that original colour rather than changing the overall tone of it.

See Below

Titanium Vs Zinc White!

Taylors Mistake – Mixed Media 4 Sale

Taylors Mistake - Mixed Media

 Below is some close up photos of the rocks and houses in original artwork above.

close up rocks and houses

close up of houses

1020mm x 510mm

4 Sale

$5500.00

Taylors Mistake is one of my all time favourite places in Canterbury and love the lovely old iconic baches that are nestled into the side of the hill.

This artwork has been created using my own photography for inspiration and likeness, the beautiful Golden Mediums and Paints.  This artwork comes with a Certificate of authenticity with the Artworks number and products used to create it.

For more information please contact Donna at donnasteel1@xtra.co.nz

A work in progress …. Taylors Mistake Bach’s …

Hi all, I thought I would pop up on my site what I have been working on over the past few weeks …. A Larger Mixed Media Artwork based on some photos I took whilst at Taylors Mistake ….

Still a work in progress … but coming along really well … check it out :)

A work in progress... just starting to add some colour ...

Just starting to add some colour to those hills and trees, bushes  …

A Day at Taylors- Taylors Mistake – Batches For Sale

Taylors Mistake – Batches

I Love Taylors Mistake ! and have spent a lot of time at the beach there and also walking around the hills to Godley Head…. this we artwork is based on one of the photos I have taken whilst at Taylors Mistake.

“ A Day at Taylors”

Miniature Artwork (includes miniature easel)

Acyclic Mixed Media

130mm x 180mm

4 Sale

$75.00

This Art work along with a wide range of my art can be viewed and purchased from

Cafe’ Mint, Wairakei Road, Burnside

Victoria Street Clock Tower, Christchurch – SOLD

It is funny how we happily go around our business without even noticing the little things in life! Since the February Earth Quakes, I have been more aware of my surroundings… I have found for me painting some of the iconic buildings has been a really good way for me to start to heal….

Over the last few weeks I have been obsessed with painting iconic Chch buildings and have just started painting Beautiful the Victoria Street Clock Tower…. and over the years I have driven past this clock so many times, but had not really looked at all the detail until now when I have started to paint it!

These are the latest miniatures of the Victoria St Clock Tower, Christchurch

4 Sale

Victoria Street Clock Tower

150mm x 76mm

Acrylic mixed media

SOLD

Can be viewed and purchased from

Cafe’ Mint

Wairakei Road, Burnside Christchurch

"Vic Clock Tower"...

 Vic Clock Tower

( Christchurch Victoria Clock Tower)

100mm x 100mm

 SOLD

Can be viewed and purchased from

Cafe’ Mint

Wairakei Road, Burnside Christchurch

Once I started to take close notice of all the detail on this magnificent structure I really didn’t realise how really beautiful it really was!

COMMISSIONS ACCEPTED

I just wanted to share some information with you about this beautiful structure.

Jubilee Clock / Victoria Clock Tower

The clock tower was commissioned by the Provincial Council and designed by Benjamin Mountfort. The tower was made in England and received in 147 packages in December 1860. The clock and tower were erected temporarily at the southern end of the Provincial Buildings but proved too heavy for the wooden tower at the southwest corner of the timber debating chamber. The iron tower stood for nearly three years in the courtyard of the Provincial Buildings while the clock itself was placed in the stone tower in Armagh Street and became the first “town clock”. Its face could not be seen but its chimes could be heard on a fine day up to two miles away.After the abolition of the provincial government system in 1876, the clock was presented to the City Council (at the request of the then Mayor, C T Ick) in 1879 and stored in the City Council yard in Worcester Street. It was eventually erected on the corner of High / Manchester Streets in 1897 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s accession – hence the name.In 1930 it was moved to its present site in Victoria Street. Some restoration took place in 1978. Further restoration including structural strengthening, stone masonry repairs, refurbishment of the clock, re-roofing and enhancement of the tower’s architectural details was carried out between June 2003 and February 2004.Information from -   http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Places/Memorials/JublieeClock/

‘Birds Eye View” – The Basilica – Christchurch Cathedral

Birds eye vie – Catholic Basilica Christchurch

Acrylic Mixed Media

Acrylic Skin from an artwork I painted of the Basilica, with textured frame!

175mm x 125mm x 15mm

Not for Sale

“Twelve Fourty Five” – Victoria Clock Tower Christchurch

"Twelve Fourty Five" - Christchurch Clock Tower

Twelve Fourty Five” - Victoira Clock Tower Christchurch
Not For Sale