Many thanks to Helen for her account of the workshop.
These are the photos from the fabulous 'Opaque' workshop with Gail. It was great, we learnt more about what to leave out of your painting to grab the viewers attention than ever before. We used GWR Poster design (pop that into your search) and one of our favourite local artists, Evelyn Bartlett, www.evelynbartlett.co.uk for inspiration.
The technique depends on using a different colour for each shape in the painting.
Do have a go - it is good fun. You can use Gouache or Acrylics (transparent colours can be mixed with white to make them opaque). Gail did say 'fat over lean' is a good technique for the medium for this style of painting.
A colour copy of your image is obvious, but also having a black and white copy can help to simplify the process of what to put in and what to leave out. This is a more controlled way of producing an art work, so working at A4 scale is fine and you will not need huge brushes. The effect is shapes of flat colour, not blended or using washes.....what a challenge for everyone.
As for materials: water pot, palette, kitchen paper and white support which is either paper or canvas depending on the paints you use. Gail used gouache, which is a traditional medium used by designers. Acrylic paint will also work well, just adding Titanium white to acrylic pain will make it opaque.
Inktense blocks are mostly opaque, they produce lively coloured pictures, these pigments also work well on coloured papers. I would not suggest using watercolour as even with the addition of white paint it's unlikely you will be able to layer colours successfully.
Helen didn't overlay at all. I noticed it was difficult to achieve a lovely flat colour so next time I will try a thinner coat of the colour and once thoroughly dry, lay on a thicker top coat.
Thrilled to bits with my painting and will finish it.
Many thanks to Gail for such an inspirational day.
