Gaudi – “Studying under the Masters – Becoming an Apprentice”

Week 2 of the course, “Studying under the Masters – Becoming an Apprentice”  features Antonio Gaudi and was  taught by artist istructor,  Junelle Jacobsen.  What a treat…didn’t know much about Gaudi’s work and really enjoyed getting to know this master better.  I chose to focus on his famous Casa Batlló in Barcelona.

You can see a wonderful image of this building here http://apetcher.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/catalonia-barcelona-and-antoni-gaudi/

I decided to work with materials that I don’t use on a regular basis.  For this piece, I used my Caran D’Ache Water soluble crayons, graphite, inktense colored pencils, Golden fluid acrylics, and beeswax as a top seal.

Step 1 Graphite Sketch

Step 2 – First Layer of Color

I used Caran D’Ache water soluble crayons and Inktense colored pencils to add the first layer of color.

Step 3 – Glazing

During Step 3, I applied a layer of glaze made from Golden Fluid Acrylic (Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold) and water.

Step 4 – Post Glazing Highlights

In Step 4, I had to enhance elements and add highlights which were muted during the glazing process.

Step 6 – PreWax Adding Another Color Layer

I decided to try adding a top layer of melted beeswax to my piece; however, since I know that wax can really mute colors, I added another layer of color using the Caron D’Ache crayons and Golden Fluid Acrylics (Violet Oxide and Burnt Sienna).

Step 7 – After a Layer of Beeswax

Step 7 involved melting beeswax in a makeshift double-boiler (a glass jar placed in a saucepan with water (heated on medium high).  Once the wax was melted, I poured it on the surface of my painting and brushed with a foam brush. I hit a big snag because the house was fairly cool (winter in Pennsylvania) and the wax hardened almost immediately upon hitting the canvas.  I had lots of very uneven was which made portions of the painting cloudy.  I wasn’t sure what to do, since this was the very first time I’d used was…but decided to put the whole piece on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper into a 300 degree oven.  After a few minutes in the oven, the wax re-melted and smoothed out.  I pulled it out of the over and placed on a cooling rack.  Problem solved…nice smooth surface!

Below is a comparison, so you can see the “before & after” showing the difference beeswax makes.  I readily admit, I had NO IDEA what I was doing with the wax…but…I love to play and experiment, so I thought I’d give it a try.  I’m glad I did!

Comparison – Before & After Beeswax