Paynes grey versus Mars Black

working on current acrylic painting for signing board featuring at a wedding in Paris in June, its a toss up, usually use Paynes Grey as it is not as harsh as lamp black/mars black, but it may need to contrast more with the blue/purple tones already applied. Thinking out loud in technology:)

Payne's grey is a very dark blue-grey used in painting. It can be used as a mixer in place of black. Being less intense than black, it is easier to get the right shade when using it as a mixer. Payne's grey is a mixture of ultramarine and black or of ultramarine and Sienna.

The colour is named after William Payne, who painted watercolours in the late 18th century.

The colour Payne's Grey is named after a British watercolourist and art lecturer, William Payne (1760--1830), who recommended the mixture to students as a more subtle alternative to a gray mixed from black and white. In Artist's Pigments: c.1600-1835 Payne's grey is stipulated to originally have been "a mixture of lake, raw sienna and indigo."¹

Mars black is supposed to be much more powerful in
tinting strength
About three times the tinting strength of ivory. Not as black as ivory. Hold a magnet up to a tube of grumbacher academy mars black and then hold it next to a tube of Winsor newton artists grade mars black and you can feel the difference in pigment load by the degree of magnetic force involved.
Here a high pigment load can be a negative aspect. Black is one of the most feared pigments. Many have trouble with it and cite the dirtying, muddying nature that it has, yeah, it is black, and sometimes mud is just what you want. So with three times the power, mars can be even harder to handle than ivory. I know some artists who prefer the lower pigment load and tinting strength of winton ivory black. I feel this way about other pigments as well, for instance, I really like winton prussian blue due to the pigment load and my ability to handle it. I won't even try out a tube of Old Holland prussian blue, however, when it comes to other pigments like say yellow ochre, then bring it on because I can handle the highest pigment load there is.

Functionality of Maintenance

Functionality of Maintenance

Having looked briefly at the blog elements of my websites it became apparent that it lacked input of any description over the last year. There have been many reasons for this, one of course is basically burn out; both imaginatively and physically, not just plain lazy! I am aware that I have had a number of people who follow my blogs, in fact I have heard that it has been used as a teaching resource, nice to know there is some value to my rants and oddities!

There are a number of factors which have led me away from posting and I thought I would have a go at explaining a number of them, hopefully they will be honest and at times thought provoking. It will also be a platform for me to start posting regularly again.

I’ve tried to break down some of the main reasons for not posting and came to the conclusion to put them into ‘family’ factors which will allow expansion with related information, images and personal thoughts. These are not meant to be excuses but by going through them I will hopefully be able to resolve many of the constraints I have and more importantly, the desire to post in a creative thinking process. I’m not going to post these thoughts in all one go, too much at one time, but I will get back into the swing of it I’m sure L emoticon number #1 in full use J

current work

I am currently working on a painting as a commissioned piece. My good friends Martin

and Claire who have moved to Wales have been converting an old Chapel house, upon a recent visit it is almost complete and a mighty fine job Martin has made. They had spoken about purchasing a painting from me but this fell by the wayside and instead set a challenge for myself, Jo, Hugh and Su to produce a painting each; we were dually given a blank canvas and told to paint whatever we wanted!!!

Here is the second stage at present, deciding on the rest of the colour schemes - mixing lots of colours tee hee:)

news from the shed - wince...update

Finally, managed to spend some time on a painting that I've been working on. Its taken several transformations along the way, and has in some way reverted back to earlier work; although I don't feel that it has been a backward step - revisiting past ways of working and colours has taken me forward; in more recent paintings I have felt that some element for me has been missing. Going back to under painting and building up layers and creating slight surface textures is something I like to do and in this painting I feel that some of that has returned.

New work in the just three words series will have elements of this and each painting, although basically the same dimensions will develop differently in terms of materials and styles - its a challenge I am looking forward to.

The other series I am undertaking is one which hopefully will let me explore a different way of working, using many different materials - ones which I am not familiar with and in some cases have no skills in eg creating neon lighting! More on this series as it develops.

At present I have not got a title for the painting... one thought was 'not jimi' (as in Hendrix) which came about in a conversation with Oz one evening!

Still thinking.

wince - ongoing progress

ummed and arred about colour choice, sat in lounge and looked at Red Indian hanging on wall

I remember the time spent on this painting and it is still one of my favourites. The surface created by underpainting and applying several layers creates great depth (not visible in photo - as per usual!!!). The red used was one I mixed up some time ago, and as usual I store paint in old coffee jars, alas, it had become sticky and unusable. So I spent time mixing up another batch, the aim was to get close, which I managed. I have now applied the first red layer and have made some changes by adding more cadmium red to add a lighter hue/tone, I will see if this has been effective when next layer applied.
again - photo quality is poor......

just three words update... in motion!

since last postings managed to get an hour in the studio and go mad with brush and paint, managed to turn around 'grin smile laugh' almost to original starting point, happy with the use of white instead of the dark blue (although photo image looked brown - I am crap at photography, should get Rhysbaker to do the photography thing for me!

couple more layers of white me thinks. Still unsure about red lettering - do I keep red, if so, lighten/keep the same or darken? do I go back to the original white as intended - a lot more work and thinking, further updates tomorrow

three little words

Just managed to get on with some painting after day of looking after JJ
Had a re-think about current three little words - 'grin smile laugh' - decided to get back and work the background with white. Standing back, I'm happy with the first layer, it will need a couple more to cover the dark blue last painted. the element that I am really chuffed with is when you look closely you can see the under painting - in certain areas the reds and different blues show through.

Taking stock

Able to spend some hours in the studio today - roughly nine hours non stop (apart from cups of coffee). Looking around, apart from the usual mess, there were several unfinished works. I'm getting keyed up for the next series of works... just three words and 100 ways to artfully say bollocks. I decided to work on these and hopefully finish them, clearing the way so to speak. One of the 'unfinished' pieces ' wince' has sat around for a few weeks, after the initial sketch and mapping out. I had worked out the colours - a very pale blue grey with a strong cadmium red overlay. also, at the same time, I sat looking at the initial just three words painting and as usual decided to work on that instead.. when will I learn!

Recently, some of the paintings, although successful, I feel I have been missing a certain feeling, one which I haven't captured for a while. Well, sitting and sitting, getting up and walking around can get your brain working, out with a pencil and started scribbling on the wall - came up with it; I like to layer the surface, putting undercoats of paint which show through in the final outcomes, this was it, I went back to the painting. I originally thought that the background would be white, but after working today, I'm not sure. Then again, I've just had a butchers and not too happy with current state. (the blue doesn't come out on the photo!!)

'Wince' on the other hand is going well, using a colour base I used some time ago, made some changes to the mix more cadmium to sharpen it.

Bad light prevents photographing next stage - the blue is a base layer. Further images to be posted.

wow, a week already!

Looking at previous posts I realised that I have not written anything for a week, rest assured, I haven't been slack, just getting on with lots of different things... some painting, sketching out ideas, formulating projects, training rugby (and things connected with the club!), socialising, and even mundane items as paper work for school!!!
Also, someone is interested in purchasing a painting, awaiting feedback on that at moment

'beachcombers' acrylic on canvas
Completed and removed masking tape from 'all day..' painting. Taken some dodgy photos of it - light is vey poor at the moment with it starting to turn dark by 4.30 pm

detail

detail

Fairly pleased with result; as its part of a series of 6 it should stand up well with the other 5 (as soon as I have finished them!!)

Update on 'just three words' series - after posting image last time I have made some headway - although the classic one step forward, two steps back is working its ugly head. Originally, the background was going to be titanium white, when I was about to start I had a change of heart - opted for a sky blue/baby blue, painted it then as you can image, not happy. Out came the sketch book/wall and starting mixing colours. I have reworked the background with a deep mix of crimson with purples, blues and applied this. It kinda works, but I think i shall return to the original white, as I like to create a surface layer or two there's no real harm done! (image at some time!)

Whilst posting on an artforum, a question was raised about where people paint-my reply was of course in my shed. This apparently is quite common and several postings have been made in response and with pics to. Further posts included how they like to work in their sheds and what they use as tools/equipment - some were very impressive and some were very neat and tidy!!
Then a question about sketchbooks - I have always had difficulty using them, I prefer to work things out on the work itself or scraps of paper/wood/anything close at hand. I have found myself working more in terms of working out titles, colours and thoughts on the walls of my 'shed', and was requested to upload some on the said forum, haven't done so far but I might.
Thought I'd put some up here, excuse the handwriting - left handed and I use a word processor more than a pen!!

Oh, by the way .................... off to see the Sex Pistols tonight at Brixton Academy - a little too young first time around!! But managed at some some time to see most of the other bands of that era. give you a review later!!!!!

three little words update I

as previously posted, started a new series of work based on three little words (influence of the Humament - Tom Phillips). Still undecided about background colour, off to have a think...

all day I dream about .... update V

terrible lighting has meant I need to take the photos again, but here's the written aspect (close up)

all day I dream about.. update IV

Spent a little time last night on the lettering on the painting - now third layer has been applied - being basically a cadmium red base it really contrasts well with the lime background - in fact it makes my eyes go funny (an effect I was hoping to achieve!)
will post image later today - light permitting
other work currently on the go - just three words series - applied second layer of blue, thinking about the background; maybe opt for a white with a hint of colour, or just zinc white, have to a have a think and play.

ok, showing off now!

well, I thought I might as well post another painting as I'm on a roll! part of the funny portraits series...

work in progress, first drafting of Payne's grey, using 000 brush - no wonder I now have to wear glasses!

working title: Wince

50 x 50cm

I don't know why!!

must be the sea air I inhaled earlier this week.... but started this painting; it's one of those that comes from no where but has a significance with the location and the times spent there (Seaton, Devon)

Might finish it, who knows, maybe just one of those pieces you do and put to one side!

Still a bit to do on it - early stages

working title: C

size 20cm x 20cm

all day I dream about .... update

spending a little bit of time on the painting, decided to go for a lime green, like the contrast with the black and the fresh look it will hopefully give. Noticed after working on it that I may need to increase the size of the brush that I am using to get a flatter surface. Although on reflection, I do like the marks that are left on the canvas, the movement created, I have in the past always left them so I don't think that will change, also, as I paint arse about face - paint the background after painting the image it does give the surface of the canvas a texture. Haven't worked out the colours for the three bands (Adidas) and the text/placement on the canvas.

post: quick photo of work in progress (taken in half light on the decking!!)

further Adidas!

What Does "Adidas" Mean? The Legend The "Adidas" brand of athletic shoes (popular in the 1970s) got its name from the first letters in the phrase "All Day I Dream About Sex." Behind the Legend There are two bits of misinformation at work here. The first is that Adidas is a sexual acronym. Actually, the sports manufacturer is a great proponent of fairness in competition and the product name is a warning directed, in particular, at young athletes. The name is an acronym for "Athletes die ignoble deaths after steroids." The second mistake is that people dream about sex all day. In fact, most normal, healthy people only dream at night, and during the day think about sex approximately every two minutes (if they are male). Much more interesting is the Nike brand, the name of which is a self-referential acronym: "Nike Is Kind of Expensive."
source: Yahoo small business

all day I dream about ....

with a little research its amazing what information you can find!
Adidas acronyms,
All Day I Dream About Soccer
All Day I Dream About Shoes
After Dinner I Do A Shit
All Day I Dream About Streaking
All Day I Dream About Stereos
All Day I Dream About Sea
All Day I Dream About Studies
After Dinner I Drink A Shot
All Day I Dream About Salvation
After Dinner I Did A Shit

all day I dream about .....

for those who maybe interested/ trainspotter types amongst us!
Adidas (established 1920)
This leading global producer of sports footwear, equipment, and leisure wear is widely recognized by its trefoil logo, launched in 1972, the more geometric performance logo introduced in 1991, as well as the three stripes that run across many of its products. However the company's origins were modest, with the first handmade training shoe being made by the company's German founder Adolf (‘Adi’) Dassler in the family home in 1920. The company's first shoemaking factory was established in 1927 and Adidas shoes were seen at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam in the following year. Tennis shoes were added to the range in the early 1930s and a second factory opened in 1938. However, it was confiscated by the Nazis in the following year and taken over by the US army after the end of the Second World War. Although Adi Dassler quarrelled with his brother Rudolf, who went on to create the Puma brand in 1948, the Adidas company developed a strong presence in the post-war years with effective publicity campaigns. Its products were successfully promoted at succeeding football World Cup competitions and Olympic Games, including those at Melbourne in 1956, Rome in 1960, and Tokyo in 1964, where a significant percentage of athletes wore Adidas shoes. The company began manufacturing in France and, in the early 1960s, began to diversify into the production of footballs (1961) and tracksuits (1962), the first tracksuits with the characteristic three stripes being marketed in 1964. The company was also concerned to innovate, producing a number of key designs such as the Achille jogging shoe (1968), the revolutionary Torsion sole system (1998), and the Predator (1995). Association of the company's products with leading sporting figures continued to be a key part of its marketing strategy. Both Mohamed Ali and Joe Frazier wore Adidas boots for their world heavyweight boxing bout in 1971, the German World Cup football champions all wore Adidas products in 1990, and the French World Cup winning team of 1998 was also sponsored by the company. In the early 1990s the company was radically restructured, in 1997 taking over the French Salomon Group, a leading manufacturer of winter sports equipment. The company's success is highly visible today in the large number of people around the world who carry its logo on leisure wear, sporting goods, and equipment, whether or not they are highly active participants in such activities.

all day I dream about sex

Some of us may remember this logo from our teenage days. I used to own several pairs of football boots, trainers and kit bags with this image festooned across them. I recently bought a pair of 'sambas' and practically live in them. Maybe its because I hanker after those days when I was youthful (probably more like fitter!) and wearing them releases past experiences - scoring a try for the school, carrying a white holdall as carried by the Dexys Midnight runners or just bumping around in them, who knows. But as time moves on so do we, but we can always try to revisit them: friends reunited has proved that. As with time, things change - looking at the new image/styling of the Adidas logo its lacks heart and it does leave me cold,

So where does all this fit in with my painting?

Working on a small project about items that evoke a personal response I intend to complete a series of 6 paintings which reflect different stages in my life.

As a school kid, we often heard the phrase "all day I dream about sex" with reference to Adidas and many other connotations (which i cant think of at the moment), it always stuck in the depths of my mind and seeing Adidas sports wear always make me think of that time and saying.

Returning to a larger canvas than the ones I have recently being working on I have started painting the afore mentioned painting; size 100 x 75cm

First stage - marking out in paynes grey (again image not brilliant - taken at night in shed!)

the one that got away

As you can see, I met the Chapman Brothers!

The visit to the frieze exhibition was a strange affair: when approaching the show you could smell money - limousines everywhere and gold and diamonds dripping of line stretched necks - how do you make a chicken neck look glamorous? anyway....

I had the painting in a rucksack and along with my printed flyer's entered the 'tent'. Security was tight - earpieces, walkie talkies etc.

I passed a group of people carrying placards - "where do I smoke", "where am I?" - not to sure if this was a demonstration or performance art, they were being given instructions on how to walk etc. let them got on with it thought, I have my own fish to fry.

Initially, I was informed that I couldn't take my rucksack in with me (should have bought D&G handbag!)

Removed painting and flyer's handed in bag and walked to the entry isles. (the painting at this stage was in a discreet Tesco carrier).

I was stopped and asked what was in the bag and then asked to explain why I was taking a painting in - was I an exhibitor? (not quick thinking here on my part)

"you can't take that in with you", so I explained etc. he called over big honcho security and informed me that I couldn't take it in, they would look after it for me. Smiles all round, trying a bit more blag, still no further. Ok, they could look after the painting. Before doing so I took out the flyer's - "are they flyers?" - after reading one he said that I couldn't take these in, they don't allow multiples in?? They are business cards.... you can take one in

This was getting hard work

OK I'll just take the one in.............. pulled out several and stuck in pocket (ha ha)

after 20mins finally got into the 'tent'

Found white cube stand to be informed that the 'bro's' weren't signing/defacing notes at the present time - looking around, not for the foreseeable future either, they had nicked off, done their stunt, they couldn't tell me when they would be back.

Had a look around - basic summary of work - poor, to much stuff trying to be art, trying to be controversial, many pieces were 8-9 years old.

Was I inspired - no

Did see anish kapoor - walked past him

Did get my photograph taken - don't know what that was about, but he did follow me for a while!!

Obviously, there are levels in the artworld and at this level there is little consideration for quality draftsmanship, skillful painting - image is everything.

Managed to slip a few flyers here and there, but generally all I wanted to do is get out and get some fresh air.

Upon exiting the place I was handed back my painting and flyers.

What to do with the painting?

Thinking about that, read a book recently - taking a fridge around Ireland, gives me an idea!!!