This is the first large brown paper painting I did 2 months ago. It was a very different experience–unknown, different, exciting. I did it as an experiment—to paint very big on paper that was not white and completely unique. If you know me you know my favorite thing is drawing and painting from life. I normally never use photos except for quick references. That’s just my training and experience. So I found myself painting outside in my patio where the light was perfect and I had a little room to hold this big canvas, which was not a canvas at all but a melange of several heavy cardboard sheets taped together.
The brown paper is heavy gauge wrapping paper found in framer’s supply. The paint is a mix of several types: watercolor, liquid acrylics and fabric paints heavily thinned. I was very happy because I could apply my techiques the same way I teach watercolor; by working in layers. When you work digitally in photoshop you have to have a good command of layers. I use photoshop every day in one way or another. This technique is giving me a way I can blend the techniques and materials to solve “how to” prolems. At last I found a way to combine the theory of how to paint with the practicality of this kooky medium I was kind of inventing for myself.
For posts, I did take some quick shots with my cellphone to follow the progress. I will be releasing a pdf in my new watercolor teaching book so stay tuned.
Painting Mexico 
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