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| Polish Pottery and Blueberries 5" x 5" starting bid: $75 Sold |
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| (what this painting could look like framed) |
Click here to bid
Ok . . . so I've wanted to experiment with Ampersand Aquabord for a while now and I finally did. Here's the scoop for those of you who aren't acquainted with it. It is a thin panel (masonite I think) coated with a white surface for watercolor. The surface is very conducive to lifting color out, which as you know by now, I LOVE. But what I think is so cool is that you can spray it with a fixative and varnish it to your liking so that it's protected and doesn't have to be framed under glass. This gives it such a different look. I opted for an acrylic gloss finish that has kept the colors very vibrant. You know that look that your watercolors have when they're wet -- well that's what this seems to preserve. You can read on the internet about what fixatives to use, varnishes etc, so that the work doesn't yellow or get cloudy. Also, whether this is a method that will withstand the test of time. I believe I read somewhere that someone's been using a similar technique for 10-20 years and their work has been fine. If you're someone that worries about all that, maybe this isn't for you . . . but since I don't think I'm the next Andrew Wyeth or Edward Hopper, I'm not too concerned. Of course I wouldn't want my work to fall apart within a lifetime after someone purchases it . . . I think this is a fine medium to explore and am not worried about its immediate longevity.
Addendum: I just read that Aquabord is archival. You can view their website here.
Happy painting and experimenting!
Ok . . . so I've wanted to experiment with Ampersand Aquabord for a while now and I finally did. Here's the scoop for those of you who aren't acquainted with it. It is a thin panel (masonite I think) coated with a white surface for watercolor. The surface is very conducive to lifting color out, which as you know by now, I LOVE. But what I think is so cool is that you can spray it with a fixative and varnish it to your liking so that it's protected and doesn't have to be framed under glass. This gives it such a different look. I opted for an acrylic gloss finish that has kept the colors very vibrant. You know that look that your watercolors have when they're wet -- well that's what this seems to preserve. You can read on the internet about what fixatives to use, varnishes etc, so that the work doesn't yellow or get cloudy. Also, whether this is a method that will withstand the test of time. I believe I read somewhere that someone's been using a similar technique for 10-20 years and their work has been fine. If you're someone that worries about all that, maybe this isn't for you . . . but since I don't think I'm the next Andrew Wyeth or Edward Hopper, I'm not too concerned. Of course I wouldn't want my work to fall apart within a lifetime after someone purchases it . . . I think this is a fine medium to explore and am not worried about its immediate longevity.
Addendum: I just read that Aquabord is archival. You can view their website here.
Happy painting and experimenting!
Hey! I am really interested in learning about what you like and do not like about the Aqua board, and your working methods on it (if it differs slightly from your normal way of work), since my own experience with the aqua board has become one of much of frustration. Share your tips if you don't mind... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHey Arena . . . I don't really have any tips -- I pretty much worked the same way I always do I guess. Although washes are tricky. But I didn't really think much about what I was doing. I came across some information for working on Aquabord on their website tonight, but after I read your comments I couldn't find it again. Try googling "tips for working on Ampersand Aquabord" and maybe you can find it. It's written by a woman artist who's featured on their site and uses this surface all the time. She had some good tips. I'll have to search again because I plan on trying this again. I really love the results I got.
DeleteNo way! I just finished a painting on aquabord that I was really happy with and now I'm planning on using it more and more. :) The surface was difficult to get used to at first, but I'm like you, the way the colors remain vibrant, and the fact that you can seal them and hang without glass, makes me want to paint on this more and more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous kara, your blue's seem so vibrant here. Really beautiful. :)
What can I say but "great minds think alike!" Ha! :) Seriously, that's funny that you were working on it the same time I was. (insert Twilight Zone theme here.) I'm planning out my next painting on it -- I'm so excited. :)
DeleteIt retains that wet color and you do not have to frame it. Sign me up .
ReplyDeleteYour blueberries are so vibrant and as Jim says on the TV show Taxi they are "blueberries" . Not blue berries.
It is a hilarious routine that I adore. but I am sure that is just me.
You make me laugh Jo. :) I'll have to look that one up on YouTube as I don't remember it -- but I've always been a fan of "Reverend Jim" and the whole Taxi gang. Aaaahhh . . . back when t.v. was good. :)
DeleteI don't know if it is the Aquaboard or not, but this one feels a little looser and don't have as much details as some of your other paintings, well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you Roger -- it's really a cool surface. I wish you could see it in person -- it looks like the watercolor is still wet. It has such a nice brilliant look to it. So much fun. :)
DeleteGreat painting as always - but thanks especially for the info. I've always been intrigued by watercolor as I love its capabilities, but for me there are turn-offs, the main ones you've just shot down with this new product. As you say, time will tell about longevity, but it's enough to make me finally want to give it a go - thanks Kara!
ReplyDeleteYou get what you want, i connect and enjoy your painting. Great work! Very nice, really.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sergio, I'm glad you like my painting. :)
DeleteI haven 't worked with watercolors but I think I'll give the Aquabord. A try with my Golden Opens. This painting is just beautiful by the way. I just love your work!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kaethe. Ampersand has all kind of board for different media -- I think their products are top-knotch. Good luck and have fun experimenting! :)
DeleteBeautiful, Kara!!! I did not like aqua board the first time I used it, but I will admit I abandoned it quickly! I may have to re-visit! I will add that most competitions don't allow aqua board or any kind of varnish. I have an entire set of polish pottery. We use it almost daily, bought it when I lived in Germany! When I lived there I didn't know if I liked all of the pattern so I didn't buy any for a long time and then as we were getting ready to move I decided to buy service for 12. My movers had already been there so I had to mail all of it back to the States. Now I'm so glad I did because I love it! Beautiful, painting Kara! I'm sure it looks really fabulous glossy!
ReplyDeletePolish Pottery is lovely -- your service must be beautiful!! And what a nice reminder of your time in Germany. I think it's so weird about the limitations regarding varnishes at many of the watercolor competitions -- especially when some of them allow acrylics (which are technically "watermedia" so I get it.) But I would think then, that watercolor that's been sealed with an acrylic medium would be acceptable -- but they're not. Strange to me, but oh well. Glad you like this painting . . . I had tried to board before, but struggled. Even with this one, I was still unsure, but kept going and eventually got the hang of it. I opted for a gloss varnish so I could bring back that "wet" feel to the watercolor and I really like it. You'll have to let me know if you experiment with it again (and in your NEW studio!) :) Thanks again for the comments.
Deletebeautifully done!
ReplyDeleteI'm just catching up on some replies -- how horrible am I?! Thank you so much Suzanne for taking the time to comment -- it means a lot to me! I hope you are doing well. Keep pluggin' eh? I think of you often.
DeleteHi Kara! I've only just found your blog and I love what I'm seeing. This painting is wonderful and so inspiring. I love still life paintings, especially kitchen/cooking/baking or garden/flower/fruits and veggies themes, so this plate of blueberries had me gazing at it repeatedly, inspired and re-motivated to get out my paints (it's been a long while since I've done any still lifes) and begin again. I also just saw your 'Tea with Lemon' painting, and that too has inspired and re-energised my painting mojo.
ReplyDeleteYippee!! Get your painting mojo on! I have no idea if when I reply to specific comments if they are sent directly to the "commenter" but hopefully they are. I've been meaning to reply to you June for sometime now. I have a friend June who lives up the road from me and for a little while I thought you were her. Anyway, you left me such kind and comments -- they made my day and I wanted to thank you. So get your paints out and start -- it's so much fun! :) Keep in touch.
Delete