 A
New Surface for Bold and Brilliant Colors!
by Karen
Vernon
About two years ago
I began working on what I consider one of the most revolutionary products
to enter the watercolorist’s world: Claybord Textured™. This
clay-coated wood panel with a granular surface has allowed me to achieve
the deepest, richest color I have ever painted. |
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| Applying Color
Without Fear |
 One
of the most wonderful aspects of working with Claybord Textured™ is
the forgiving nature of the surface. I can always use a wet sponge or brush
and wipe down some or all my color and start all over again! Knowing the
board is very forgiving, I am much more aggressive in my application of
color.
After completing a value sketch, I draw the design on the surface of the
Claybord Textured™ with a hard lead pencil, generally an H. Next,
I wet the board to a mid-sheen and begin adding color washes. I started
with local color washes
in all the yellow flowers, using New Gamboge, Windsor Yellow, and Mars Yellow.
When laying down these initial washes, I use a brush that
will carry more paint to the surface (I use a
#12 sable round). |
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| Glazing &
Layering Brilliant Color |
| I began all the leaves
with an underpainting of blue using cerulean blue and phthalo blue. I do
not use green because I prefer the subtlety of ranges the mixtures of blue
and yellow create. When I’m ready to use green I prefer combinations
of sap green or phthalo green, which I neutralize with violets. In the past,
watercolorists accepted the loss of brilliance in some colors as the pigment
was absorbed into the depths of the paper. On Claybord Textured™,
the deep, brilliant colors maintain their integrity. In developing the range
of values and intensity, I use two different approaches. If I want transitional
blends, I make sure the Claybord Textured™ is damp in the areas I
am going to lay in my color. If I want crisp edges and defined lines, I
make sure that the board is dry in the areas I’m adding color. |
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| Creating Detail
& Contrast |
 After
applying color, the painting technique becomes more additive and subtractive.
The surface of Claybord Textured™ allows me to carefully lift down
through layers of paint to those colors below, bringing out sparkling underpainting.
Using a damp nylon brush (the stiffer the better), I return to areas and
lift colors, alter glazes, change values, and create textures and patterns.
Notice how I created the water droplets by lifting the color from the leaf.
No masking was needed at all! Notice the leaves and how I’ve pulled
the color back to the white of the board in some areas and back to the underlying
colors in other areas. |
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| Feel the Color
& Detail Explode! |
| Claybord Textured™
gives the artist full control! Notice the wonderful contrast between the
detailed, more controlled areas and the soft, brilliant, intense color wash
areas. Contrast the deep color intensity in the lower background to the
soft detail on the centers of the yellow flowers where I lightened the centers
by easily lifting color. Finally, I spray the piece with 3 to 4 coats of
Ampersand’s Claybord Fixative to seal the surface and I can frame
this piece without glass! If I want added protection, I’ll brush on
a coat of a UV varnish. Now you can also enjoy the wonderful color of brilliant
watercolors without the glare of glass! |
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| About the Artist... |
Karen Vernon received
formal training from the University of North Texas. Her continuing quest
to understand the personality of color and how to mix and manipulate it
results in compositions that explode with color and brilliant clarity. Since
1982, Vernon has shared her experiences with hundreds of students in watercolor
workshops. Her work has been published in American Artist and Metropolitan
Woman. Karen conducts training and workshops on Claybord textured nationwide.
For more information about Karen Vernon please visit http://www.karenvernon.com
© 2001 Ampersand Art Supply Inc. |