The Kitchen Sink

Alejandro Blues

Once upon a time, I read an article about Gesso.  It's a Mysterious Liquid that all artists know about.  At the time, I didn't know what it did (not so sure I do now), but thought it worth an experiment or two.

Alejandro Blues close-up detail

Grabbing a large posterboard, I slathered Gesso all over it.  Let it dry.  And was relatively unimpressed with the result.

Hmmm, wonder what would happen if....?

And thus began, Alejandro Blues.  Both these illustrations here are small sections of the 22"x28" piece.  To the right, is a close up of the turtle's right 'foot' and some heavily-loaded-with-salt seaweed.

The foundation for Alejandro is the aforementioned 1)Gesso, topped with lots of 2)white glue, 3)gouache, and 4) watercolor.

Just to see what would happen, I also smeared lavish amounts of  5)Vaseline,  6)sand, and 7) chunks of Kosher salt all over it, too.

After waiting for my 'canvas' to dry, I added the final touches in 8) oil pastels.  Does smearing stuff around with a knife count as #9?

When I moved toward The Kitchen Sink, it ran away.
Brooke