Christmas Cactus and a Technique

Christmas Cactus

6x6in oil on canvas panel   $100.

Christmas cactus plant in full bloom. This is an older
painting changed slightly so it is not painted using
the fracturing technique.



Artist Note.

Another technique some of you may find interesting.

 Pixalation. ( I call it Pixalating)
Just as the computer breaks everything
down into tiny pixels and digital art has its own proponents of
painting on the computer,
so, too, can a oil, acrylic and watercolor artist achieve
the same effect only with, in my opinion,  more of an "alive" result.

I did a pixel version of an apple and also a tree with larger marks,
see below.

To me, it all goes back to pointillism. The public is
very accepting of this technique at the moment - unlike
when pointillism first came out, because
they are more used to seeing pixels on the computer.

Using a straight edge 'bright' brush to make square marks,
this is technique is very compatible
with watercolor as well as oil and acrylics.
The artists in the Guild have enjoyed trying this one a great deal.

Make square strokes in two or three values or colors to make
the form. I use as side motion and a down brush motion.
I have found this variation is more active.
Keep areas of color in the correct place to save the
form from being lost. If you squint at the Apple you can
see the dark areas around the edges and under the light
top area. Same on the tree . Remember, keep the light
in the light and the shadow areas in the shadow
It is important on the edges to bring the negative into
he positive, and visa-versa.
There is an interesting site with excellent information
which also can apply to paint (click on)

The artist CHUCK CLOSE found his own way to grid faces.
His is a fascinating way of breaking the edges and if you
are interested there are many
 articles on his work. Notice how the light areas hold
together so it does not look spotty. His is a slow way to
paint a portrait as he makes different designs in each square.

setting the squares
on an angle.
















Chuck Close is one of the important portrait artists
of the 20th/21st century.
There is an interesting, interview by
Charles Osgood with Chuck, (click on)
Technique is discussed
Do yourself a favor and watch and listen to this amazing
man. You do not have to love his work to be engrossed.