Monday, July 6, 2009

Between the Vines

Between the Vines, 6 x 6
sold

My last post drew votes from both camps: about half of you liked the yellow and green version of the foreground, and about half liked it all green. I think they both work, though I tend to agree that I like the contrast that both the colors provide.

Today's painting is from a snapshot taken at Weisinger's Winery in Oregon. I'll be up there in August for a show (thank you, John!), and will try to play around with some vineyard subject matter between now and then. I like the way this one turned out, but have a tiny issue with the long green diagonal brushstroke--think I could've broken that up.

I also wanted to show anyone who ever washes brushes the way I do (Master's Soap and warm water) something I've found to press my brushes into besides my hand (since keeping paint off your skin is a good practice). I recently found these little green silicone things called "poachpods." They're perfect to hold in my hand and press the soapy brush into as I wash most of the paint out. (I believe they're intended to poach eggs in....must try that with another set!) I do the last cleaning bit with my fingers, but when the paint is really coming off initially, I keep one of these poachpods in my hand instead of rubbing all that paint into my skin. Seems to work for me now. I know Carol Marine at one point was using a tennis ball cut in half in the same manner. Haven't tried that yet because I found these and they're so easy to keep clean and I can still feel the brush in my hand because the pods are so thin and flexible.

I put the (size 4) brushes in the image for scale reference.

-julie davis

4 comments:

Mitzi Easley said...

Neat... was just thinking about this...where does one buy a poachpod?

Tammy Hext said...

Really like your work.
I agree with your idea to break up that brush stroke just a smidge. It is a beautiful painting!

Barbara Muir said...

Lovely painting Julie,

I put my acrylic brushes down in the sink and run water over them. It's interesting to know how oil painters clean their brushes.

xoxoxoxBarbara

Kerri Settle said...

Thanks for the cleaning idea for brushes. I currently usually use paper towels for the first few passes but this would definitely create less waste.