Moving on from painting #2 which was a simple monochrome abstraction painted in cerulean blues. I felt that pink would enliven the blue, further adding dimension to an already interesting colour and pursued this by following a minimalist approach.
Initially I intended to further develop the piece with other media however number #7 (upper left) proved reasonably successful as it stood. Number #8 (upper right) was painted immediately after #7 making a few adjustments to its minimalist composition I then added a light wash which I allowed to run down the surface and along with pencil and oil pastels. this piece feels better and more exciting as an purely abstract painting. Both pieces took less than 30 minuets each to complete which was well inside the time that I had allowed.
The observations I have made is that thinning the acrylic colour presents some difficulties. To make the paint thin enough to run dilutes the paint to much thinning the pigment, perhaps I should look at a way to reduce the surface tension either by wetting the surface first or adding some agent to increase the flow of the paint.
What is Surface tension ?
Surface tension is the visible effect liquids have when the molecules in a liquid stick together in drops, this is caused by the attraction of the liquid molecules to each other. Because those molecules on the edge or surface are not surrounded they attempt to withdraw creating the necessary cohesive force that make a drop rounded. Other factors such as air-pressure and gravity also have an effect on this physical property.
In most cases it is unnecessary for the artist understand the science, although knowing of this affect can work to the advantage of the artist in creating some interesting effects. Paints be they oil, water or tempera are all liquids and are subject to this molecular attraction. However, often when the liquid has evaporated the artist is left with a residue of pigment that can often appear inverted rather than convex as a drop looks when wet.
