It’s been a long while, but I haven’t forgotten you! I’m frankly more active now on Instagram due to the ease of use and few or no works expected, so posting is a snap. Join me there if you like to view images. @elenacaravela, (paintings) @elena.pics (wildlife photos), and @caravelaelena (digital paintings).
WordPress is the platform for discussion. Here, I’d like to talk about materials and techniques, so please chime in! Useful tips and ideas are more than welcome. I love that we can all learn from each other’s experiences.
Since my time away, I’ve been continuing with lots of experimenting. New ideas and surfaces. The piece above was a bit of a struggle for me due to its surface. It’s painted on cradled gesso board with a very smooth finish. Each stroke is evident. That worked well with the hair but transitioning color on her face tested my patience. I finally worked with lots of mini glazes to provide the nuance. The vehicle for the glazes here is Solvent Free gel. I can honestly say that the board is not my favorite surface, but at least now I am able to wrap my head around how and for what I would like to use it.
Next up, aluminum. Dick Blick is discontinuing this surface. It was on sale and intriguing, so I tried it. Paradoxically, I very much like the way it defined each stroke because was perfect for this subject and this technique. This little alla prima painting was a lot of fun to paint! So much so that I wiped it and tried a new painting with more refined transitions between passages. I wanted to see how the smooth aluminum surface compared with the ultra smooth gesso board surface.
Ok, mixed reviews when painting refined passages, similar to the gesso board. And another problem. Apparently the aluminum is covered with a plasticy surface over the aluminum. The gentle rubbing out of the previous image created a little hole in that very thin surface, allowing for some disconcerting warping. I get why Blick has discontinued this product. I would however, like to try a sheet of aluminum sans the extra coating. Stay tuned. I’ll let you know how it goes when I track some down and play with it.
Elena, so good to see you here and your work is beautiful. I love the way you continually explore and push your boundaries. I went onto Instagram for a few days and simply didn’t get it, so I came off again. I hope it helps you expand your audience and can see why it works for you. Hugs Xx
I was delighted to find you back on my radar, Elena. I don’t ‘do# Instagram for any other social media for that matter) and I’m not qualified to comment on the technical aspects of your work. But I invariably enjoy your reading of character and the way you express and communicate your feelings.
Hello Louis! So good to hear from you and to see your photos again! Thanks very much for your very kind comments.
These are all amazing! “Surfacing” fitting on many levels!
Thanks ever so much, Carol!
Wonderful art!!!! (whatever you are painting on!)
Thanks so much, Resa!
Hello Elena – I am doing exactly the same as you, still maintaining WordPress for more detail, explanation and conversation, but Instagram for regular quick updates of what I’m working on. That top portrait is stunning, the translucent quality of the skin is spine-tingling. The struggle was worth it! Looking forward to seeing you on IG!
Thanks so much, Anna! Glad to be back in touch.
Sweet Neptune that second painting is superb. They all are, but that one really grabs me.
Great to see you back.
Thanks so much John. Great to be back.
The naked reality you exposing is often much more than photography.
I feel chill.
Hope it’s a good chill, Yoshi:)
Glad to know that you’re still around with your art. Too bad I don’t have instagram. So, good luck there, and have a good time! 🙂
PS: Not being an artist myself, I think ‘expression’ is your strong point (apart from beautiful visual, surely). Like those three above. I like them all, and especially love the last one. 🍸
Thanks so very much. Very kind of you to say.