Paint a flower still life with a negative painting technique
April 15, 2014 2023-05-09 17:47Paint a flower still life with a negative painting technique
Paint a flower still life with a negative painting technique
In this mixed media on canvas piece, I wanted to experiment with techniques of negative painting, painting an abstract background and of course I could not resist adding some patterns 🙂
You might also like: Online art class: Painting Flowers from imagination in mixed media
Here are the steps I took to paint this mixed media Flower painting:
I started by selecting a few fluid acrylic ink paint bottles, I actually ended up using only the blue and green. I also used liquid matte medium.
For this pouring technique, start by applying the fluid medium all over the painting with a knife or any other flat tool like a spatula.
Then add some drops of fluid acrylic on top of the liquid gel.
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Liquitex Acrylic MediumsGel mediums are ideal for extending a heavy body paint, to create impasto, relief, or sculptural effects. – Gel Medium, Gloss |
Here I used only blue and yellow fluid acrylic.
Then using the painting knife, I did spread the paint and medium around, this process allow very nice textures to form on the canvas.
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Golden High Flow Acrylics
Incredibly flexible, Golden High Flow Acrylics have an ink-like consistency that lends itself to a wide range of techniques painting, drawing, staining, glazing, inking, hand-lettering, airbrushing, and more. – High Flow Colors, Set of 10
Once dried, the canvas looked like this. Now I looked at the canvas and tried to make out shapes from the abstract patterns. I decided to go for a flower theme.
After quickly outlining the shapes, I painted around them with white acrylic.
When all the negative white painting has been done, the painting looks like this. Basically a few flowers, a vase and I was thinking the shapes on the right could be leaves. I find that I would need an extra leave on the left for balance and am scrubbing off a bit of the white background with alcohol and a stiff brush to add that extra leave.
To make the vase different from the flowers, I am painting it with a layer of blue acrylic, the nice thing about acrylic paint is that it will most of the time be a bit translucent, so some of the patterns will still show on the vase under the blue paint.
As my painting process often involves working in many successive layers, I decide to add some color to the background to work on another layer.
I am adding texture to that yellow layer by spraying some alcohol.
Alcohol textures.
I am adding patterns on the yellow painted background with a blue marker.
Then I am going to use an oil based white sharpie to add more designs and definition to the flowers and the vase.
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers, White, Medium PointSharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers are great for touching up wood and metal, personalizing belongings, or adding pizzazz to school projects. Decorate and add accents to a variety of items, even non-porous materials such as glassware and terracotta. |
I decide to change the leaves shapes into small flowers.
Last step is another negative painting in white of the background but this time I am painting around the new designs I just added.
Finally I am adding a bit more designs with the blue marker on top of the newly painted white background. I like the semi abstract quality of the finished painting.
Green Bouquet
Mixed media on canvas
12 x 12 inches
original is sold- prints available here
Comments (26)
arebelred95063400
Beautiful as always. Will there be a class on this. If so I’m in
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks:)
, I have an online class where I am sharing videos about this technique here: https://paintingdemos.com/new-online-class-painting-flowers-from-imagination-in-mixed-media/
There is also a DVD on the Artist’s Network here
cara letho
Lovely and thank you!
Lynette Walton
I find your technique fascinating I have fallen in love with your work Iam only beginning to learn ..I am a senior who is passionate about all art
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Lynette, This is great that you have this passion about art, I think it makes life more colourful 🙂
Lynda
Wow Sandrine, I just love your work and creativity.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Lynda 🙂
Wallsandfloors
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Thanks!
English Garden: Adventures in watercolor and negative painting.
[…] Green Bouquet- Mixed media painting tutorial […]
Dorothy Yuki
Thank you for sharing. How fun!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Dorothy 🙂
Still Life in negative painting , a step by step painting tutorial
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Elizabeth Merchant
Your eclectic approach to Green Bouquet confirms… it is not the subject of the painting that matters… it is how you approach… the technique used… to gain the affect you want. And not being afraid to add, remove or mix it up… to get that affect. Kudos.
Sandrine
Thanks Elizabeth for your nice comment. I think experimenting and taking risks is what keeps the process of painting exciting for me:)
Sian
I really love this one and the technique is very interesting.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Sian 🙂
jen
This is absolutely gorgeous!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Jen 🙂
Elizabeth Carr
Thanks, Sandrine! I always enjoy viewing your newsletter/demos. I appreciate your inquisitive mind and experimental approach to art and materials. And a big CONGRATULATIONS for being one of the SPLASH 16 artists! Once again, I didn’t make it : (
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Elizabeth ! Keep up trying, I got rejected many times.
Sheila
Love this! I really enjoyed seeing it unfold too 🙂 The texture is wonderful, and the colors are … serene 🙂
CINDY
You are just so darned talented. I’m happy for you, but must say I’d give a limb to be able to do what you do!!! Enjoy getting new mail from you – makes my day.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Cindy!
H McILRATH
Thank you Sandrine for this super demo. I love the colours you have chosen.Must give this technique a go.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks H McILRATH, Let me know how it goes.