Big is… a challenge!

I’ve been working on scaling up to BIG paintings! With this process it’s quite a challenge. This wood panel is so big I’ve had to put it on the floor so I can play with different shapes and colour AND see what it looks like at the same time. It is lots of fun but the challenges are real.

From here I work out where the shapes and colours will go and then use a mono-transfer process to apply them to the painting. Sounds easy? I thought so… until I started to work this big. This painting is 120 cm (48 inches) square.

Below is what happened when I was applying the second yellow shape! I couldn’t get it in the perfect place, then other things started going on, like bits of black stuff appearing out of nowhere. To put it bluntly, I got sh%tty and just tore it off! But of course, it didn’t come off, did it!

This is the biggest (in size) mistake I’ve made so far using this method, and after a few experiments on how to remove it without damaging the other sections, I resorted to my paint scraper. Watch this video if you like the sound a scraper makes, or if you like watching paint… scraped.

I share this with you today because I wanted you to know that it’s not always easy and fun being an artist. There are lots of moments like this. But I wouldn’t give it up for the world. I’ll keep you posted on how this big baby turns out.

Be happy!

Jan