| About the art...
I have worked in many types
of mediums in my lifetime. Like most artists, I always found
myself going back to the mediums that I enjoy working in the best:
India Inks, pencils, acrylics, watercolors and variations of each. I
also enjoy experimenting by “mixing” and developing new interesting styles
of art. I particularly enjoy working with old styles of mediums;
Scratchboard and Pointillism are two old styles of art that I thoroughly
enjoy.
The examples below are
selections from my Gallery. Click a picture for a close-up version
showing some of the detail involved. These will open a new instance
of your browser- simply close the new browser window when you're done.
Please note that, depending on the speed of your Internet connection,
enlarged pictures may take up to thirty seconds to appear.
Scratchboard
Scratchboard is a specially surfaced cardboard to be worked on with
crayon and to take the place of the lithographic stone. It was
invented sometime early in twentieth century by a Philadelphia
lithographer named Charles J. Ross. The board, still manufactured by
the Ross Company of Philadelphia, consists of a thin layer of finely
ground white chalk mixed with a binder and laid on ordinary cardboard
under pressure. The layer of chalk is very thin, probably no more
than a thirty-second of an inch thick, and when it is dry it becomes very
hard and smooth.
Around 1920, someone discovered that a very thin layer of black ink added
to the chalk surface could then be cut with a sharp tool to reveal the
white underneath and thereby create unusual and graphic effects.
Up to that time it had been called Ross board, but now it is sold almost
entirely for use in the cutting technique and is called Scratchboard.
Drawings executed on the board were found to have superior reproductive
qualities, particularly on newsprint, so it is not surprising that they
came into extensive use for newspaper advertising.
What makes the scratchboard medium valuable is that any of the fine, clear
cut effects achieved in other mediums can be done on scratchboard with
much greater ease. In commercial art scratchboard was the practical
medium for newspaper reproduction of advertised products during its heyday
of the 1930's and 1940's.
Many different types of tools are used for cutting the fine lines in the
ink. A tool called a scratchpoint fits into a penholder and
is sold in art stores, but aside from this there is no tool made expressly
for scratchboard cutting. Artists use many different types of tools,
from fine dental picks, knife sets, and razor blades to engraver's tools.
The use of different tools will yield many different types of cutting
effects.
Look in my art Gallery and you will see some more of my works in this
medium. Very strong, bold, distinctive lines and cuts make up
this medium. I have also done quite a few portraits with this
medium. I can do a portrait of you if you are intrigued with
this style of art.
Pointillism
Pointillism is a style of art that was developed many years ago by a
French painter, Georges Seurat, founder of the 19th-century French school
of Neo-Impressionism. Seurat's technique for portraying the
play of light using tiny brushstrokes of contrasting colors became known
as Pointillism. Using this technique, he
created huge compositions with tiny, detached strokes of pure color too
small to be distinguished when looking at the entire work but making his
paintings shimmer with brilliance. Works in this style include
Une Baignade (1883-84) and Un dimanche après-midi à l'Ile de la
Grande Jatte (1884-86).
A French painter who was a leader in the neo-impressionist movement of the
late 19th century, Georges Seurat is the ultimate example of the artist as
scientist. He spent his life studying color theories and the
effects of different linear structures. His 500 drawings alone
establish Seurat as a great master, but he will be remembered for his
technique called pointillism, or divisionism, which uses small dots or
strokes of contrasting color to create subtle changes in form.
Many forms of pointillism took effect over the years as many artists
admired and studied Seurat’s form of art. Different mediums
also took the stage with reference to “Pointillism”. I studied
Seurat’s work and like many others found this style of work to be very
unique. It’s a time consuming art form; that’s probably why
not many artists work in his style today. I personally enjoy
the style; unique, interesting and above all like not many others.
In the world of art today you can see endless works of art in watercolors,
oils, acrylics and what I call the standard art. Pointillism,
this old style of art, literally grabs you when exposed to it’s beauty.
Compliments abound when people see this art.
Take a look in my Art Gallery and you can see more of my pointillism work.
I am currently working on a series of marine life subjects.
Check back and you will see more works on the way!
Pencils
Another medium that I enjoy working in is pencils, graphite and colored.
In recent years I have obtained a fondness for Prismacolor colored
pencils.
There's something really different in Prismacolor pencils when comparing
to other brands. They seem to have more pigment than any
other, they are not waxy, and you can paint over it with acrylics or
watercolor and go over that again with Prismacolor without any trouble.
Prismacolor pencils seem to be so vivid and bright when layered
accordingly.
When layered
correctly, colored pencils give such a vibrant look that some people
say they feel as though they have seen the place depicted (or would surely
like to in the future!). The colors are steadfast and bold.
When working with colored pencils, I enjoy the rich bright colors that
they present.
Prismacolor is the choice of some of the most accredited illustrators,
such as Mark English, John English, Chris F. Payne, Brent Watkinson and
many others.
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