Monday, August 18, 2008

Separation Anxiety

If it's hard for human parents & children to detach, imagine how tough it must be for marsupials.

Sorry about the gore... I tried to keep it subtle, but it had to be there.

Acrylic on text (from a 1901 Young People's Natural History) on canvas, 5x4". Click for a closer view.

This was my first painting using Golden's Open Acrylics. Wow, they are fun! Go get some! What's really cool is that they mix with their standard acrylics, so you don't need to start with a huge palette.

Edit: Rima's comment made me realize I didn't explain what was different about the Open Acrylics. The difference is that they are much slower to dry, so they can be worked much longer. Yet they are somewhat faster drying than oils, thin & clean with water, & can be mixed with regular acrylics or Open media to tweak drying time in either direction. Paint on the palette stays workable for an amazingly long time, so it's much easier to keep a mixed color consistent over several working days. I've tried water soluble oils & I like these better. In fact I like them so much that I'm thinking right now that I've found my dream paints. I'm working on a portrait of my Dad right now & they are bliss for portraits.

41 comments:

lael henderson said...

Leah, thanks for stopping by my blog and also for the nice comment. Always fun comming to new blogs and seeing stuff you've not run across before. you work is really fun...I'll be back!

Anonymous said...

i love your style! this is so cute! i especially like the lettering and color scheme!

Roberta said...

Wonderful work....as always!

Anonymous said...

So sad! I see what you mean about the gore: it might be too sweet/sad without it.

Valerie Jeanne said...

Well done! Such adorable animals!

Now I want to try the open acrylics too.

Emily said...

oh dear! how unfortunate about the arms! do they grow back?

you really nailed the expressions!

Nicola said...

I am so inspired by your miniature paintings; there is something so deeply intriguing.
I once went to a "miniature painting" exhibition (primarily from India) in London. But that "small" exhibit left a huge impression. In fact, it is the main one my mind travels to when I recall all those London shows.

Lisa Rivas said...

Absolutely precious... Stunning work!

Juan said...

Excellent work Leah... as allways!

Asja said...

great work! i like their big, expressive eyes.

dani torrent said...

Hi, this is my first time in your blog and won't be the last one. I like your work very much! I'll put your blog in my favorites so that I can come back easily.
And thanks for your comments.

Rima Staines said...

This is great Leah, I wonder what is different about these Open Acrylics?

Rima Staines said...

Oo thanks for this Leah.. I think they sound like my dream paints too.. acrylics have always seemed way too fast drying for me, I'm a slow painter. And I've thought of trying water based oils to avoid using white spirit. Might have to try these open acrylics out :)
Cheers!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

My daughter and I have this. Even the look on the baby's face. What great illustration work. Very nicely done! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I know how busy it gets and I really do appreciate you taking time to do so.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous work !

Kathy said...

I always love to see what you post! This is gorgeous---the colors and richness and the book page--perfect!

Daisy Church said...

Lovely work! Great colors and really enjoy the choice of background media... great to know about the Open Acrylics- makes me really want to try them out now!! thanks for describing them!

Mark Cavell said...

Stunning! You produce incredible work, fantastic paintings and great ideas. I am in awe.

steve said...

Wonderful work! Really, it's not that gory that all. It's been ages since i've used acrylics. I should try it again sometime soon!

lil kim said...

beautiful illo - i love your work so have given you an award! Check my blog :-)

Anonymous said...

I have to hear more from you about the Open Acrylics!! I need a dream paint. Your work is so rich, and I adore your use of the the written word as the texture. Very appropriate for an illustrator. I will be adding you to my favorites!!

Anonymous said...

yeah separations are always painful :-( this illustrates that feeling wonderfully

you've made me interested in those open acrylics! i hope i can try using those soon :-)

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Wow, what a great site you have here! Edward is particulary fond of the flea painting, although he is happy to report that Advantix works for him!

Lisa Evans said...

Stunning image Leah! The emotion is beautiful and I love your characters.

Lisa Evans said...

Stunning image Leah! The emotion is beautiful and I love your characters.

Lisa Evans said...

Hey Leah, I checked out that Kwoon video and it brought a tear to my eye! It's beautiful. Please thank whoever sent it to you from me too : )
I also noticed you like to listen to Tom Waits' 'Alice' when you are painting - I also love that song and the album. 'I'm still here' is my favorite.
Lisa : )
ps..I hope you don't mind but I would like to put a link to the kwoon video o my blog?

Curious Art said...

I finally figured out it was Cryptia who introduced me to Kwoon. Thank you Cryptia!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cryptia/2498404105/in/set-72057594080432369/

Christy/Tiddly Inks Digitals said...

Just lovely and adorable work. I have been wanting some Open Acrylics...thanks for the reminder! :D

Unknown said...

How do they differ from just adding retardant to normal acrylics?

Mim said...

Your stuff is amazing! Just found your like thru Ellis Nadler's blog - love the Pickleface.

Mim said...

Thanks for the book recommendation - sounds good for me, Mim

Anonymous said...

maravilloso !

Elissa said...

Hi Leah, thanks for your comment in my blogg. you work is wonderfull!
excellent colors, textures, images and fantasy in your paints.
Sorry but my english isn´t good.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Thanks for visiting and leaving your comment about your sister's abilities with four-leaf clovers! It's so nice to know about a fellow strangeling!

Come back anytime!

steve said...

Hey Leah,

Got your package! Thanks so much -- the work is gorgeous!!

Cheers, Steve

Josh (musarter) said...

Yes, I am impressed. Yes, I am adding you to my link list so I can keep coming back.

piero pierini said...

nice work!!! thax for your comment in SFG.I like your tecnique,very nice.

flossy-p said...

Wow, this is really amazing. It's so cute, but so profound at the same time, and the little bit of gore totally makes it!

p.s. sorry for the late reply, but you asked where I got the wooden hoop frames... Believe it or not they're from on of the big chain fabric/haberdashery stores: Spotlight. They're actually made of rubber, and look like wood, so kitsch! :)

Anonymous said...

this work of yours made me cry... I really feel that sadness, I 'm a daughter who is sorry for leaving the marsupial several years ago... now that I grew up, I feel a profound loneliness...
a hug from portugal

Malachi Ward said...

I've been wondering about these open acrylics since I saw them in an art store. After your endorsement I'm certainly going to buy a few colors.

Admin said...

This is just great Leah! I love the whimsy, and delicate look of your ink work in this piece. Lots of nifty detail to enjoy as well.
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