The local U3A recently held an exhibition of members interests and crafts themed on “Autumn” so I’d set myself the task of contributing using the acrylic flow painting technique.
As usual I’d had a big idea in mind but despite ample lead time failed to really progress it in time for the exhibition. However I did manage to create, just in time, these three representations of the autumn winds and the falling leaves.
All are acrylic on 20x20cm canvas. The pouring medium is PVA glue (B&Q “No nonsense” brand) and water. The paints are cheap craft paints from B&M, the Works and the now defunct Wilko mixed with the medium and more water to achieve the required consistency. I had considered mixing paints to get more autumn colours but it really can be quite a faff so went with the colours as-is straight from the tube.
Placed a fairly thin white background and then applied the blue sky and ground with a pallete knife. It doesnt take much to get the required wispy steaks with some torching to encourage a bit of movement. Apply the black to place the tree limbs and green/browns to represent the leaves and then a combination of carefull blowing the paint with a straw and swiping with the palette knife to get paint into the correct place. Some lacing and a few cells develop with this manipulation.
Using some cardboard masks splatter rinse aid at specific locations to create more lacing effects or splatter paint to create the thrown leaves.
Once dry, paint on the characters to give a sense of scale.
Overall I’m pleased with them. The fact I can get the three in the same style makes me feels I’m gaining some control with the technique. As much control as you can with runny paint. The display at the U3A meeting went well and several people I didn’t know came and made the effort to show thier appreciation which was really encouraging. I was a little worried that being abstract most people would have a “meh” response, which was part of the choice to represent some sort of “reality” but I think I needn’t have been concerned.
