Black & White
There are artists whose work I really enjoy looking at. For instance, there’s one who applies black and white paint to a canvas or panel and brings an image to the fore by blending just those two. It’s fascinating to watch, so I thought: I’ll paint one of the remaining chipboard shelves black, then apply black and white paint to it and see what I can bring out. I have to say it’s not exactly easy, and yes, I do know what went wrong here, so I’m keeping it as a reminder of what went wrong. I also noticed that the longer I spent mixing this paint and creating an image from it, the more I drifted towards a style of painting that I didn’t actually want. It turned out exactly like that.
On the other hand, I do find the result interesting to look at; it just uses an awful lot of paint and my white is almost gone. Time to switch to a different colour.
After that, I painted in the usual way, using a flat brush no. 18 on bamboo paper. It looks very different.
When I paint, it sometimes feels just like assembly line work. When I’ve tried something out or finished it, I lay it on the floor where it can dry undisturbed and move on to the next thing (which could be anything and just depends on where my thoughts are at that moment or what I want to try out. Indeed, that unfinished fish is still there!)
At the moment, I’m in the phase where I say: I must use up all the old stuff before I buy anything new.
Incidentally, I don’t always manage to paint three things a day, and yes, I do sometimes skip a day now and then, simply because I’m busy in the garden or doing up the house. At the moment, I’m still filling in a few cracks here and there and have started on the front door. A ‘failed door’, as an acquaintance calls it, because blisters always form in the paint in a certain spot. Perhaps I should just paint some flowers on it or incorporate some autumn leaves.
What also strikes me, by the way, is that I find it easier to paint something directly than to sketch it first and then paint it in. I’m rubbish at colouring and it looks like it’ll always be that way. I did practise again yesterday, though, even though it was dark, by colouring in triangles and shapes with paint, and that’s not easy. Perhaps I should use a ruler to help me stay within the lines.
I still enjoy painting at a fast pace. I’ve noticed that this helps me learn more, see more and spot mistakes more easily than when I work slowly. Taking photos also helps me look at the work from a different perspective, though I must say that a photo can make a piece look better or worse after a week. The camera lens and the way you hold the camera certainly play a part in this.
Incidentally, I thought I’d taken more photos whilst painting, but the camera is increasingly refusing to take a photo. It struggles, the memory is full.
6-4-2026
Materials: chipboard, acrylic paint: black + titanium white (Action), flat brushes: 3 cm + Van Eijck #18, bamboo paper
At first when I saw the first images with splash of colors I was like okay, but then again in subsequent images you blended it well to form a human face which is very beautiful. When creating art it always look messy from the start, but your ability to create something out of nothing is what differentiates you from others.
I love the fact you want to use all the materials you got before getting another one, I am also like that I still have some materials I bought some months ago because I can’t just let it go, not because of the fact that materials are expensive but for the sake of utilization.
I still need to practise a bit more to turn those blobs of white and black – or perhaps other colours – into something better, but I do enjoy doing this and it’s relaxing. And who knows, if you clear your mind completely for a moment, something completely different might emerge; that’s fine too. It just uses a lot of paint, but what surprises me is how quickly it dries, especially compared to painting, where I use hardly any less paint.
I have all those tubes I mentioned and I want to use them up first; there’s also a tube of green that’s actually watercolour and which I was given, but it looks suspiciously like the tube of green acrylic paint. No idea what I’m going to do with it, maybe just get started and see what it turns into.
Of course, it sounds brilliant, a cupboard full of tubes of paint and drawers full of all sorts of bits and bobs, but I think there also comes a point where you just have to say: I’ve got it, so I’m going to use it and see what comes of it. I don’t need to buy it just for fun, of course; I think that’s a waste of money. By now, I think I’ve used up all my tiny unlabelled tubes, and they were already over eight years old. I’m glad about that, because I hate nothing more than having to throw away something you’ve spent money on. I think we do that enough in our lives already. I do notice, though, that my paint suffers in the cold and changes texture quickly; I can’t really do anything with it then.
Perhaps you should just have a bit of fun dabbing around with paint and see what emerges; if it’s no good, that’s fine too, and there’s bound to come a moment when you say: I can see this or that in it.
I hope you’re doing well and that you can leave the stress behind you a little; have a lovely day.
❤️🍀
Here is a tip be careful of the amount of white you add to your portrait painting, too much white can make you portrait flat or make them chalky. One rule i use is working from dark to light, this will help bring out the form on the face of your subject. But there is set rules in painting, it’s from trying different things so many artists got their own niche and artistic style. It all depends on what you want out of your work.
Wow you still have tubes of over 8 year you are a legend 😂😂 i was thinking I am a pro when it comes to that, I still have some of my oil color tube as way back 2020, i really don’t know why I love having them around, others may see it as waste but to me i see it as something to cherish and memories 😂 it’s just like checking your cupboards and then you stumbled accross one of your old painting.
I am getting better Thanks so much for your concern, I trust you are doing well also??
Thanks for the tip. I have to have a closer look at that. I like it black l, but to my experience black is easily overused, although just black and some dots of white is also not bad. ...or just white with a few wipes of black...though I am out of white.
🤣
You know what they say: who saves, has something for the rainy days. Btw my Rembrandt pastels are even older. At least over 20 years if not 25 or more.
I must say the old paint was a better quality.
Today I have a busy schedule and I intend to continue painting the walls (outside) of the house first (I wish they wouldn't be that muddy 😕
At least if done once, the second layer will go faster.
Enjoy the day!
❤️🍀🤗
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The green door you were painting? Did your acquaintance mention the possible reason for it? If it's a wall, I would probably guess it's water damage.
If it were a wooden door, moisture could also have caused the bubbles. In this case, however, it is a plastic door getting warm, and heat combined with the paint used could be the cause. This paint creates a more sealed surface, which means the heat trapped inside the door cannot escape. It would therefore be better to use water-based paint, i.e. acrylic paint. I suspect this is the same as with the iron gate, where all the paint is flaking off and only the undercoat, or at least, I assume the light green is the undercoat, remains. I didn’t paint it myself, by the way; it was an ordered and paid for job. It’s always very annoying when you have to try and correct other people’s sloppy work. In any case, the door has now been sanded down again; later I’ll see if a primer offers a solution, and then another coat of green. And of course, it needs to be painted when the door feels cold to the touch.
It's a whole different thing when you have to pay for it. We would expect them to know better. Working on plastic is interesting because I only know we can sand down wooden surface. Please keep us updated. Even though I won't be attempting any DIY soon but it's good to learn more. I used to watch a lot of carpentry work on Youtube.
We are used to colors, however in black and white I think everything looks elegant
I believe most find black and white elegant. With us most houses have white walls and there was a period many had it furniture's with black and white as well.