Fences

I started these paintings in February 2021

On my jogging route I pass a fence that has been patched up many times there is wire and barbed wire on it and this particular time the sun was low in the morning sky and hit the fence revealing much of its imperfections and textures.

I took some photos of the fence and it sparked off a series of paintings.

Very different to the last series of paintings I had been working on, this series just became about the appearance of the fence, the colours, textures and layers.

I began by preparing some MDF board by cutting into squares and coating with white gesso.

Then, I took the photographs of the fences and set them around, I didn't want to specifically to copy them straight off so I analysed the colours using a limited palette of Cadmium yellow, Alizarin crimson Ultramarine with some Paynes grey.

I used a old map to create a collaged texture on the boards first, then working on the floor I made marks using a broad brush and just keeping in mind the layers of wooden fence posts.

Taking colours in turn, I worked on the boards together at one time. I used extender medium to create transparancies and glazes, then letting the layers dry before applying the next one. I enjoyed working into the glazes while still wet using a brush handle to make marks.

Eventually, I took each board in turn and responded to the marks to develop each one into an individual abstract image. 

I enjoyed the process of working on the series of paintings together, I enjoyed the use of transparencies and mark making.

While I was working on these I also developed images in my sketchbook as well. developing mark making on collage.