This week’s Colour Me Positive was on the theme of Hope. My kids and I are all mythology nerds so, for that reason, when I read the word “hope” in isolation and free of context, I automatically think of Pandora, opening that box and unleashing all the nasties and leaving only hope inside. It is not that long since I drew Pandora, however, so I did not repeat that subject but it definitely inspired me. I focused in on the idea of managing to keep hold of hope, keep it safely enclosed within that box, and that phrase – holding on to hope – then informed the way the page evolved: a visual representation of holding on to hope even in dark times.
I wanted to have another attempt at the technique I used in my recent portrait for a Let’s Face It lesson, of painting over a background and carving out elements of the painting as negative shapes. In doing so, I was also able to surround the figure in darkness. The black paint carving out the blue shapes helps, I think, for the gold to be a more emphatic element in the page. I like this negative space technique. I think I am going to keep experimenting with it.
A Pict in PA 
I really like her body, with all the geometry… That must have taken you ages!!!!!!!!
Ha! Not at all. It’s origami paper providing all the geometric shapes.
Haha, very clever 🙂 you are such an art extraordinaire 🙂 I was looking into that nestie girl course that is ran by the same lady who runs let’s face it, it sounds very good 🙂
Yes, I was tempted by that one too but I’m already doing two courses so a third wood be too much for now.
Are these courses good then?
I am really enjoying both and think I am getting something out of both. Life Book is obviously way more varied, with more diverse subjects, approaches, and styles and – as a result – some lessons can be a miss for me but not many at all. Let’s Face It obviously focuses on the one subject but I am enjoying learning different approaches to tackling constructing a painting or drawing of a human face. I have enjoyed every lesson so far. I obviously committed to two year long courses but dipping your toe into a shorter, more focused course is probably a sensible first step.
Do u have to use acrylic or can you choose something else? 🙂
The materials vary from lesson to lesson, depending on the tutor. I improvise a lot with whatever media I actually own. A lot of mixed media work does involve acrylic though because it layers so well. I have a set of Liquitex Basics that I use and I also have some cheap craft acrylics that I can use for things like backgrounds. Most courses will have a suggested materials list that is worth looking at.
I love this painting, it is hopeful!! The overlaying textures and designs are awesome.
Thank you very much, Sharon. I thought it was time to do something that requires more time and patience in my journal and layering forces me to do that.
I like the golden glow-ball of hope and how she holds it so gently.
Thank you. I loved creating that. I did it with finger painting so as to achieve the smudgy glow at the edge of it and the metallic acrylic is so thick that it was a very fun tactile experience. I actually finger painting the background layer too. Lots of messy fun.
Write that down. More finger painting. Good results and lots of fun, meets all art criteria.
I understand what you mean, it’s a reason I like working with clay. Direct contact with the medium is different.
I like what you have done here very much!
Thank you very much. It was a fun page to create, I must say.
What a great way to put a new technique to use! The dark background works so well in this piece, it really makes the golden ball of hope pop!
Thank you!
She is wonderfully made and I guess lovingly too. There is something very intriguing about her expression other than hope. More hope maybe…truly something very very positive.
Thanks. I’m glad you like her.
Clever! And hopeful! Good job! I like your use of pattern and space
Thank you very much, Sue!
Just gorgeous!!!! Love!
Thank you. All those patterns are from origami paper as a collage layer beneath.
How did you do the structure on the females belly?
It’s origami paper.