I am a virgin blogger!
I have been thinking about doing a blog for quite some time. Mainly because I thought it would be a great way to keep a diary and to share some of the fun that goes on in my art studio while we are learning and experimenting with different paints and mediums.
You may be wondering about the title of my blog. It is a comment that was made about me many many years ago - when I was turning 21. One of my aunties was looking for a 21st birthday present to give me. She was looking at all the fine crystal, thinking that would be appropriate for me. One of her daughters was with her at the time and said to her "Mum, she is different from the rest". "The rest" being my three sisters who love fine crystal. And yes, I am different from the rest - but that is a good thing.
I am an artist. I hold classes or as I refer to them sometimes, painting sessions, in my home studio. It is also a place for people to come and get rid of their life stresses, have a bit of group therapy, laugh, or cry (mostly laughing). We do all this while creating some fantastic masterpieces.
I use mainly acrylic paints and mediums, oils, charcoal, inks - pretty much whatever my mood is at the time. Most of my work is abstract landscapes with a lot of texture. Every now and then I like to "tighten up" and paint a portrait of something very detailed. I don't stick to one style of painting. I also like a lot of colour.
At the moment I am experimenting with the Derwent XL Charcoal on raw linen. I prepped the linen with Matisse Transparent Gesso which gave me some fabulous tooth.
The colours are very muted and I have had to be strong and not add "colour" to my painting. I am very happy with it and I must say I LOVE the XL Charcoals. The best thing about this medium is the fact that you can apply them to a wet substrate, dry and then blend with a wet brush or just as a dry medium.
Next I will experiment with the XL Graphites - very excited.
Well here goes, about to post this blog. Hopefully I have done it right. I guess I will find out soon enough :)
Happy creating,
Gillian
