Acrylic Class - FantaSea Finish

SPRING 2011 – ACRYLIC CLASS – "Fanta-Sea"

This was the last class on our fantasy sailboat. Most of you were finishing up with detail so I didn't do a lot of demo. I did show how to create the ropes or cables using a knife and white. First you take the knife and pull the paint out flat then you cut across that flat section with the edge of the knife to form a small roll of paint on the edge, then with a sort of cutting motion, draw in your ropes.

You can also use your liner/rigger brush, this is actually what they were designed for was adding the rigging (ropes) to the old sailing ships because they hold a lot of paint and can create some fine lines. That said, it does take a steady hand so a knife might work better in this instance for you.

I used the liner to add stripes to my boat remembering that the boat has curves. I also painted the awing over the pilot using black. I know, I very seldom use black as a general rule, but there are some instances where I do use it. I used it here because one, it is a man-made object and humans paint things black out of a can. Two, it repeats the black background color. It's not so much that I don't like black to avoid at all costs, it is more a matter of it has its place and when use properly can add to your picture.

Now you may detail this as much as you want or as little as you want, it is up to you, so this next step is optional as well but I think it add a bit to the final painting. I used a permanent ink marker to outline and add detail to the boat. Some places I did a solid line in other places I did broken lines, it just add a bit of focus to the boat.

Next week we will start the autumn painting so please have your reference photos of the fall scene with you but DO NOT do any sketching yet we will sketch as we go. Also, have a test canvas or two and your soft blending (hake) brush, we are going to practice skies. See you soon.