Well Earned Beige

The thirty paintings I’m working on right now are all eleven by nine, mixed media on panel. Painting the base of the background has proven to be a painstaking process that demands faith and patience. I’m going for an “aged paper” tone I’ve made a couple dozen in the past, but I’ve strayed from any sort of formula that I may have created in the past. There are probably seven coats of paint on the panels, some watery thin layers, and some glazed… no, there’s not much difference. As I studied them as a group today, I was a bit let down that I had only achieve a boring “putty” brand of beige, albeit with a lot of subtle nuance.

I’m sticking with the process, believing that the commitment to the layers will earn a tonal vibration that can’t be achieved without the depth. Transitioning soon to the addition of cut paper and flashe will elevate my energy around this series. I seem to be slumping just a bit as I build the layers, as I am also limiting my studio time these days to tend to building the other business.

Summer officially arrives on Friday. I’m ready for the ceremony.