Blocking out the start

After doing my research, I decided that the easiest way to complete this task was to make a representation of the mermaid at Little Karoo.  

Little Karoo is an oasis in the desert of South Africa (an oasis, by the way, that evidence shows used to be completely underwater.)


One of the features of this area is that there are huge underground caves, filled with water - and there is a waterfall falling off the edge of cliff that forms a pool.  It is at this pool that a mermaid has been glimsped for 100's of years - even , if local legend is to be believed - to the present day. 

I decided that this nameless mermaid was the one for me - to make a representation of  the Orishas or mer-goddesses was going to take more research than I had time for!


I began with a lightweight canvas, to which I first applied a layer of gesso and then let cure for 24 hours, and then I painted the canvas with thinned out white acrylic paint. I had to do three layers - I supposed if I hadn't thinned it out, I wouldn't have needed to do three layers, but when I did the first stroke at full strength, it felt too thick and gloopy.  So I decided three thin layers (like what they used to tell you about nail polish) would be best.

After that had cured for about 48 hours (it really dries much faster but because I was going to be doing a lot of layering of paint over it, I decided I wanted it to be very, very dry.


I  mixed up some colours first - a light grey, a light blue/gray and two blue greens, as I had decided to paint my mermaid at night.  (I did sketch all of it out first on my background, but it didn't show up in the photos, so I didn't bother posting them.)

I began by using the light grey to paint out my moon, and used the lightest of the blue greens to begin adding the sky.  




Then I added in the darker of the blue greens and daubed my paint on over the lighter version.


Added some washes of the light and dark blue/green...


 
and then painted in more of the darkest of the blue greys. 

Then I took those four paint colours, and darkened them considerably with the addition of black to each, for my rocks.


Using the same process of layering my colours


Using thinned out washes (I didn't mind if they ran onto the fabric below because it was an easy clean up.)



If you'd like to see the inspiration photo (which I didn't have permission to use here) just google "Rust en Verde waterfall at Little Karoo".

Next up - I'm going to be blocking out the pool and the foliage on the cliff tops and at the bottom.

See you on Friday!


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Linking up with The Needle and Thread Network for WIP Wednesday -go and see what other Canadian fiber bloggers are up to!

Kit Lang

14 comments:

  1. I find this so interesting; since I know nothing about the dying of fabric and art. Can't wait to see more of this.

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  2. This is so interesting because I follow a doll maker/artist who is working on a piece for the same show. I think your inspiration and idea is really unique.

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  3. Anonymous27.6.12

    Artistry at its best! Thanks for sharing your inspriration!

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  4. Interesting start , Kit! I am dying to see where it goes now!

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  5. I'm lovin' it! Beautiful subdued colors and wonderful depth and texture!

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  6. RT - thanks for stopping by and continue to come back to see where I go! :)

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  7. Thanks Lisa - stay tuned! :)

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  8. You are so fearless. I love the soft watercolor effects you've gotten.

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  9. Wow, I'd love to see how this piece progresses. Will you be stitching on it?

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  10. this is looking good - and very interesting. love your moon!

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  11. It's coming along beautifully. Thanks for sharing your process, Kit -- I'm learning a lot!

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  12. Thank you for sharing your process and progress--I appreciate art pieces so much more when I understand a little of what went into them.

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  13. So nice of you to show how you do it - wish I had the time to try it............

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