Newsletter 2022 September

ART

Today we will look at the material called Gesso (pronunciation jeh-sow). Gesso is a liquid ‘paint’ that prepares your canvas and board for paint, by mildly roughing up the surface. Without the gesso, the paint would soak through the linen of the canvas. It also helps to maintain the colours purity that you are applying, especially if you are using white. Gesso is traditionally white in colour, but it could also be clear, black or coloured.

Gesso can be applied to a variety of surfaces. Vinyl records, cardboard, wooden numbers and letters and cigar boxes can be painted in gesso. In the online class, called My World Rocks!, we even gessoed rocks. ( https://www.barbaralyynburns.com/my-world-rocks  )And by doing this, you have prepared these surfaces for acrylic paint.

Gesso can come in a squeeze bottle, jars and large tubs. You can squeeze it out, pour it out or place your paintbrush in the tub.

There are two different grades of gesso: there is the student grade and the artist grade. The student grade has more filler in it, while the artist grade has more pigment.

To prime your canvas, you will need your canvas, brush and gesso. The key is to brush your gesso nice and evenly. What I do is prime it horizontally first, on your object, let it dry, and then prime it vertically. If I wanted my canvas smooth, I would take some high grit sandpaper (400 or higher), and sand the first layer after it dried, then prime it again, let it dry and sand it again. You don’t need to sand your canvas, as all I usually do is just prime it with gesso, and then begin to paint.

So for your next painting, don’t forget to gesso. Your painting will thank me.

SOUL

We are busy. So very busy. Work seems to give us more, while there is less staff to do the work. Then at home, there is upkeep on the home property that is neverending. Something, or someone, wants our time.

Julia Cameron, who wrote The Artist’s Way, talked about taking time, every week, for an Artist’s Date. This was a time where you usually took the day, or an afternoon, or evening to pamper yourself. I have taken Artist’s Dates with myself by journaling, creating art, going to an art gallery and more. Here in this online article, there are 101 Artist’s Date Ideas. Have a look at some of them and see which ones you like; book yourself some time to take an evening, or afternoon, and take an Artist Date for yourself. Have fun. https://theartistswayblog.wordpress.com

Take Care.

Light & Love,

Barbara

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My World Rocks

• 50% off original price
• Get confidence with acrylics paints – Learn 19 techniques
• Step-by-step instructions
• Have some ‘me time’
• Have a sense of pride and enjoyment
• Get colourfully painted rocks with short worded intentions written on them
• Go at your own pace - self-paced
• Weekly access to the teacher (me) via Zoom
• Participate in Guided Meditations
• Have a collection of rocks can be picked for daily intention

To sign up for the course, just go here , https://www.barbaralynnburns.com/my-world-rocks , and start your fun and relaxing journey now.

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Would you like three FREE Artist Cards that were created by me? These Artist Cards are 4”x6” and are printed on good quality stock paper so that the colours are comparable to the original ArtWork & Words. They are perfect for gift giving, framing, postcards or sticking on your mirror for inspiration. To get them, just click on this link, https://www.barbaralynnburns.com/artist-cards , to get them mailed to you.