Split Personality

I have been working on two paintings at the same time. One is a large oil seascape (Solomon Bay - St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands) and the other is a large acrylic seascape (a commission). I am learning how to shift my technique back and forth when using oil and then acrylic. There are pros and cons to both so I find that it's a matter of adjusting my thought process and my technique. When I find that I need a break from one painting, I load up the other on my easel and change out my paints.

In a way, it helps me to stay fresh and also provides the opportunity to try something that I was successful at when painting with oil and apply it to my acrylic painting and visa-versa. The result often turns out great (much better than expected) but occasionally it leads to a not-so-wonderful result. When that happens, I have also learned how to recover from a mistake in both mediums. Experimentation is initially a little scary, especially on a large canvas, but ends up being a lot of fun!

I am currently putting the finishing touches on Solomon Bay - 30" x 40" oil on gallery wrap canvas).

And, I am half-way through my acrylic commission seascape painting (an as yet an untitled 24" x 72" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas).

 

 

Have a great week and experiment a little!