In anticipation of a workshop that I am teaching on negative spaces tomorrow, I have been inspired to do some playing around with the use of negative spaces. I enjoy the somewhat mind bending technique, especially when layering multiple overlapping images. It becomes a challenge to keep your positive and negative spaces straight, however in this piece I embraced the confusion and left the trees in a state where the trees seem to collide with one another. I like how it engages the viewer in sorting things out, and the abstract sense of depth it gives.
To create this piece I started with a watercolor wash on mixed media paper to which I added a dusting of charcoal powder. The I added multiple layers of stenciling with my Simply Trees 12 inch stencil, and a frond stencil. For the final layer I added a deep Payne’s Gray between tthe trees to help define things. Finally I added shimmery gold linework with a gold gel pen, which I have been using alot lately.
I also did some playing around with flamingos and started on this piece:
We will see where I end up on this! In the meantime, I look forward to tomorrow’s class!
Chris Green
The trees are spectacular! If I don’t see some prints of it available on Etsy or at The Workroom I’m going to be SO sad. I am not artistic at all and can’t imagine all the work you put in to this. It’s outstanding. The blue/grey? between the trees captured my eyes and the dark red of the fronds…. I think this is one of my favorites of yours now.
Kayann Ausherman
Thank you Chris! There will be some prints of this one coming up for sure! – Kayann