Play Time! Testing New Waters!

                                                                             

One of the things I tried to do during the past few months is experiment with a few new materials I purchased or old materials I hadn't had a chance yet to try. Sometimes, as artists, (especially me anyway) we feel an urgency to "produce," to jump right into the process of creating art instead of exploring what the products we use can do. What are they capable of, how do they feel, what surfaces produce a look I like, what tools can I use, etc.   I have been guilty of this so many times, and yet, I feel "I don't have the time." So I plunge right into the planning, preparing and painting of a work of art and miss out on one of the most valuable learning experiences I could have. 

Many of you who use water media may be already very familiar with this product. I've been using primarily oil paints and pastels, so when I saw an ad for BRUSHO I thought perhaps I could use it for the underpaintings I do for pastel. Besides, I have always carried a secret desire to do some abstract watercolors and thought this product might be fun to try for effects.

I purchased these five containers of Brusho after reading a description on Dick Blick's website. They are watercolor ink crystals that you can sprinkle or brush onto paper, canvas or wood. The "crystals" are more like a powder to me, but once you put them on a wet surface they seem to blossom and create their own designs and patterns. They come in a multitude of colors (see them here) but I purchased the five you see above. Below, are some examples of some very unscientific results when I used it on regular watercolor paper (140 lb.) or Yupo paper.

Scarlet used on regular w/c paper

I left the paper white, wet it with a brush and sprinkled a relatively small amount of crystals.














                                                                                                                                                              

Gamboge and Burnt Sienna  on Yupo


I think when Brusho is used on Yupo you get a more detailed, clearer pattern.

(Julie, this might be fun to try on parts of the wonderful bird nests you paint.)

Leaf Green on Yupo


Again, a more detailed design. Each color seems to have a subtle combination of another color or two. Very subtle, yet it helps to make it more interesting.







         

Leaf Green and Yellow Ochre on regular W/C paper


Less detailed but an interesting marbled look.











A couple of other observations:

*You can use a spritzer with water to move the color around. Be careful. A little water goes a long way.

* Use a tissue or paper towel to dab up runs or to minimize amount of paint.

*When the water dries there may be some powder on the surface that escaped the dissolving effect of water. It can be brushed off fairly easily.

*A warning! There are two ways to open the canisters. Punch a small hole in the indentation on the lid, or pull the plastic "sealer" around the lid. HOWEVER, if you pull the sealer do it slowly and carefully. When my lid popped off my white slacks were sprinkled with about half a teaspoon of a bright, pretty Gamboge color. It was my fault, but I had to really work to clean it. I'm just saying...