Last year, as part of my Fine Art AS Level, I explored the use of different media with the same photo. I decided on using a refelctive image of some bathroom taps to show varying white, grey and black tones that would appear different within each medium.
This painting was first developed by layering brown sugar paper on top of cartridge paper. This enabled for a much more textured surface and thus allowed the ink to either sit on top of or sink into the paper. The ink was applied using a calligraphy pen with varying nibs to achieve different lines and pressure.
This next painting uses watercolours to create a softer look to the bathroom taps and subtle changes of colour that blend easily with one another.
Painting number three was created using oils. Due to the paints drying slowly meant that more often than not, paint was blended too much, and this allowed the harsh reflections to appear subtle and not so obvious. It was also more difficult to achieve brilliant white without blending into the surrounding colours.
This final media trial used acrylic paints to achieve sharp lines and bold colour. Out of the four paintings, this one is my favourite, mainly due to the sharp differences in colour that prompt the eye to challenge the photo and pick up more contrasting elements. Although I rarely use acrylic paints, and much prefer oils, I feel that painting in a medium that dried much quicker was a benefit and made the painting look more appealing.
