365/2013 - Day 106

surface prep

Today I have been applying tissue paper to the surface of the hatchling guy.  Unlike painting, I really enjoy applying using matte medium to adhere little bits of paper to the plaster cloth...I like the repetition and the act of smoothing out the paper as I go along.

the tissue paper I am using for this is actually the wrappers of individual rolls of Scott tissue

I usually only use the white parts of this paper and I usually tear the pieces so that I don't get straight-cut edges.  Because I will be painting over it I am not worried about all that...this is simply being used for smoothing the surface.  The lumps and bumps are still mainly there, but the surface feels nice and smooth instead of jagged and rough.

on to the underside!

the hatchling guy back in the wet plaster cloth studio to dry overnight

2012/365 - Day 310

dulling down all that color

Tonight I popped "Thick as a Brick" by Jethro Tull into my computer/iTunes and worked on this guy for one full play of the CD.  I did it because I wanted to hear the CD, but I also needed to limit my work time so that I don't overdo things with my right hand.

Holding a paint brush to apply the matte medium to the torn papers and smooth it on to the manikin's surface is less of a "tight/closed-hand" process than sewing is.  (I'm saving sewing for Wednesday at Joan's.)  (Epic sewing sessions seem to be what trigger the cramping in my hands.)

Okay -- so here are the photos from this work session that lasted 43:36 minutes.

This is the manikin with plaster cloth, tinted gesso, and four colors of alcohol ink dripped (instead of spritzed) onto it.  And NOT the colors I had in mind, either.

I tear up little pieces of the white areas of tissue paper (that I have in abundance, and is on its way to the recycle bin) and lay them onto areas of the manikin that I have applied a thick coat of matte medium to.  

I work in smallish areas at a time so that I can smooth out the paper as I go.

The matte medium tends to melt and smear the colors a little...but this is just the bottom layer. 

Also -- using a paint brush in stead of my fingers this time is letting me work "wetter" than usual...less tearing of the paper with the brush.
 


And because I want the paper to dry with a sort of texture, I am not upset with not being able to get all of the wrinkles out.  As I am working I go back and do more smoothing, but basically I am looking for the paper to give me a little bit of an appearance of fur or skin that will look just fine later on in the process.  If I had only used my fingers (no brush) I would have been able to get the paper smoother.

Only the left side of the manikin has paper on it.

The back of the head and shoulders area -- a bit more dry -- and you can start to see through the paper again.

Just a shot to show the difference with and without the paper.