Copper Sky – Mixed Media

Posted bydebirileyPosted inart, color, inspiration, painting, photographyTags:, , , , , , , , ,
viridian and copper mixed media debiriley.com

Silly Saturday… I think,  that 2016 needs “Silly Saturdays.”  When I’m just having a bit of fun,  there’s no pressure.  With silliness comes the unleashing of creative energy!

copper sky, viridian water, mixed media, debiriley.com
Copper Sky Viridian Water

 

 

 

 

Process of the Copper Sky Mixed Media

Oddly, This started with looking at some lovely quail eggs.  Many things can inspire the artist’s imagination!    

quail egg, inspiration, copper sky, debiriley.com
quail egg

From the gorgeous patterns found on the egg, my hand went into automatic;  creating textures and splatters – with rock escarpments from a hillside sliding down into the green waters.

 

 

mountain texture, inspiration, mixed media, debiriley.com
Mountain Texture

Giving me the Idea,  for  Copper Sky, mixed media.

 

 

I worked on several patterns, drawings, textural techniques. Then returned to a few discards that had some great built up textures already for me.

 

I chose one with the basic foundation structure already in place.

But the tonal values were very poor, and the colors  – not singing to me at all.

 

Nothing to lose, remembering its just a ‘silly Saturday’ play –  I added bits of string, glue, acrylic.  In other words, lots of mixed media.

 

  • After letting those areas dry, I applied a lovely thin glaze of copper for the sky area.
  • At the bottom,  I then enriched the water area with glazes of viridian.
  • I returned to highlight some of the areas in  subtle whites.

 

This close up of  Copper Sky, mixed media shows the glue, threads, copper and viridian glazes,  thick impasto sculptural effects on the mountain.

viridian and copper mixed media debiriley.com
Viridian water

Silly,  is not a bad word!

Silly is very productive, in its own way. And it is a very necessary part of creating,  for me.

I don’t have to create something  ‘worthwhile’  every single time I sit down to do art. Neither do I have to ‘show’ my friends my efforts, and wait for their nods.  Anymore.

Yes, I used to do this.

 

I create – because that is what is within me to do.    I do it for me.    

 

And progress and improvement will happen.

Improvements will come, by virtue of the fact that I am compelled to ‘be silly’   a great deal of the time!      Simply…..The more I practice,  the more I improve.

 

I’m looking forward to 2016 and many more creative, fun, imaginative and just plain “silly” Saturdays.

 

 

 

Published by debiriley

The act of creation, in any media is a fascinating and magical process. I simply love to create. Expressing in color, line, tone, texture - as if, they were words upon a page. Creating a uniquely me, interpretation. Enjoy More of my "one-of-a-kind" expressive art at society6.com/debiriley and, redbubble.com/people/debijriley/shop

33 thoughts on “Copper Sky – Mixed Media”

    1. Thank you!! the piece began with watercolour, then acrylics, glue, gel medium, molding paste, string/threads, with layers of paint finalized with the copper and viridian.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Definitively a fun piece with a lot of personality. Sometimes those “silly” days can give us some beautiful results and this one is one for the books!
    Love the textures and all the fantastic intriguing details, great creativity!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. hi Eva, thank you for such a wonderful comment on the post!! I’m glad that you liked the textural effects and the silly factor. 🙂
      I’m going to keep reminding myself in 2016, that Silly is not a bad word!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ve always used oils and acrylics. Only a few years ago did I begin to try watercolors in earnest. I’ve taken a few classes and I’m learning so much from your lessons and other bloggers. I love portable use of watercolor.

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  9. Breathtaking art!!!! And such inspiration!!!! Oh thank you Debi! I feel as though your advice is right for me !! May we all be silly and creat our own happiness and beauty !

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    1. silly, I believe, creates a peace.
      a place of rest and safety that allows true creativity to peek its head out.
      Jodi, thank you for your wonderful feedback! If, the occasional Silly works for you – Go For It!

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  11. wonderful sentence: I create – because that is what is within me. I would agree myself to this sentence. Beautiful work again, Debi, have a nice week-end, cheers Mitza

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  12. “Silly Saturdays” – perfect – not that there’s anything silly about that wonderful impastoed Viridian water. How about some “Sultry Sundays” or “Mayhem Mondays”. I could go on but wont 🙂 Have a great week.

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    1. darn! I REALLY would like to steal Mayhem Monday…. why, didn’t I come up with that one?! sigh… (hmmm, maybe a just a ‘borrow’ lol) thank you very much Andrew, wishing you a lovely week as well. 🙂

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