Day 9, Branches ll. 9 x 9 watercolor and pen on Mineral paper. © 2016 Sheila Delgado
I wanted to try again with this idea. Yesterday, I felt that the flowers were much to dark after adding the pen. These are better, but now I think they look very Dr. Seuss. I love Dr. Seuss, but that was not the look I was going for. There is a lot of great texture in the branches and the background. 72 ppi smooths it out unfortunately.
This time, on the background I did 7 or 8 layers of splatter. Pink, orange, and water. I let that dry and did them all again. Once or twice more for good measure. Oh and I added a watery dark rust color, hoping for a sort of, dirty aged effect. I really like how it turned out. I wanted to show a detail, but it just does not translate in the scan well.
As a study, this was successful. As a painting I am not so sure.
MINERAL PAPER
Yupo and Mineral paper are both sort of plastic in feel. Yupo is very smooth and slick while Mineral paper has a soft, “fuzzy” feel. Sort of like a peach, or velvet. Yupo is a synthetic paper made from polypropylene pellets. You can learn more about Yupo here.
There are a lot of artists who use Yupo. Two of my favorites are Yevgenia Watts, and Sandy Sandy. Connie Cagley sometimes works on Mineral paper.
Mineral paper is made from rocks. You can find it online and at Hobby Lobby.
When I first tried Yupo, I wasn’t sure I would like it. But now, after painting on it all month during the September challenge, I feel more comfortable with it. I am feeling more at ease with Mineral paper each time I use it as well.
A few of my observations:
Yupo can easily be wiped clean and reused, as seen below. Mineral paper stains more easily, but you are still able to wipe it off, and reuse it. (Middle image on the bottom.) It also tears easily, which could be great for mixed media and collage.
Mineral paper with different media…
I hope that answers some of your questions Corinna. Let me know if there is anything else you are curious about. My number one tip for anyone who tries these papers, is to use them several times, to get accustomed to their individual properties.
Finally catching up, my Pinterest board
for this challenge is over 450 strong!
Visit Leslie’s site, where all the daily art is posted,
and see her terrific art as well.
I sure do appreciate you visiting my blog!
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I like your willingness to try the same thing more than once, I often think “I have painted that before, so I won’t do it again”, especially if it didn’t work very well. I figure it didn’t work because I didn’t really like the subject – lol
I think that is sometimes true Val. I find if my heart isn’t in it, it usually doesn’t work as well as I thought it would. I might try one more time. I learned something different with each of these.
Sheila I totally understand the challenges of getting what is in your head onto paper. BUT!!!! So many people can’t paint from a thought or idea and we have that added challenge of bringing our imagination into play. I love seeing your work and your boldness and honesty.
Susan, thank you for you kind words. It is a challenge I would say you have mastered 🙂 But I know it is ongoing… and part of the joy, and torture, Lol.
Thank you for the paper info! I used yupo exclusively for the November painting challenge and liked it a lot. Will locate some mineral paper and have a go.
I like the tiny blossoms you did for today…C
I thought you did Corinna, I remember the fluidity of those pieces. I think you will like Mineral paper 🙂
Thank you Sheila for all the information about mineral paper!
Happy painting !
You are welcome Martine. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it is fun to work with. Love the gorgeous bloom you have been painting!
Thanks for all the great info, Sheila. That took some time. And I am really loving (and forgot to remember to do it) the pinks with the yellows. Nice!
Thank you Laurie. The pink/orange combo I saw another artist use in a sky. A few years ago now, but it really stuck with me. (I forgot for a while too!) So glad you like it 🙂
Love the coloring. Thanks for the info on papers… doubt if I’ll find any like those here!!!
Thank you Carol 🙂 Most art supply stores have either Yupo or Mineral paper, and both can be found online. (Not sure where you live)