I was first introduced to the term “Process Painter” by an artist named Robin Rothrock at a demo she did for the Strawbridge Art League a few years ago. She talked about how the process by which she created the painting lead her, and that she did not know what the painting would ultimately look like when she started it. Ah ha! This is what I am, I thought, a process painter!
- Beach Baby
- Tequila Sunrise
These paintings started as “wet on wet” watercolors. Wet on wet refers to the paper being wet (I wet mine on both sides) as well as the paints being juicy. That combination allows the colors to flow. I add materials to create the texture (Saran wrap, wax paper, rice paper, gauze…) as I’m adding the paint. I work with my paper stapled to a board so I can tilt it and let the paints flow. I continue to add materials and paint, following my pre-selected design until I feel I’ve got a good variety of color, texture, and values. I mostly work in the light to mid values in the first step, so I can put the dark values where I want later on. Then I let everything dry in place.
