Another for the
Eye on Art gallery, Indiana. These two paintings will hopefully be available towards the end of April/early May. Its the first time I have painted on Linen. Its one of those things that I have avoided as it can be very expensive, so I was sort of hoping I would find a problem using it! Well I didnt. I thought it was fantastic to work on, finer than the canvas I use but not as smooth as a sanded gessoed surface. Perfect for the way I like to paint. Using linen seems to attract mixed opinion from what I have read, I wondered if you other artists had used it and what your thoughts were, and any type you would recommend?
Another beautiful work Sam. I agree regarding painting on linen. Its my absolute favourite - paint just seems to glide on. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLove your work, Sam. I've peered through the windows of Eye On Art when they're closed (great pizza next door), but I need to get over there when they're open so I can meet your cows face to face.
ReplyDeleteLinen - love it, or hate it! The feel of linen doesn't do much for me, but I like the look of the weave. When I used stretched linen years ago, I had a problem with it swelling/shrinking with changes in humidity. Drum-tight in winter, sagging in summer. Not sure now if that was the linen's fault, or if it was primed with rabbit skin glue (which is notorious for reacting to humidity).
lily is beautiful and a winner.
ReplyDeleteLove Lily and love linen. Will have to look up the name I bought, already stretched and had no problems with it. I just hated covering it up...lovely to look at and leave peeking through. It's not my usual however....
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Lily, of course! I really like the monochromatic old world feeling I see, it makes me think of Lily as a wise old gal. I've never painted on linen because I am afraid I will like it and then be stuck with an added expense. However, linen has been calling my name, I'm sure to try it very soon.
ReplyDeleteI like linen too, and your paintings are gorgeous Sam! You obviously love using it. It's not stretched canvas, but an inexpensive option I use often when I want the texture of canvas is pads of linen canvas paper you can buy. Strathmore makes acrylic paper with a linen canvas finish. Have you looked into buying canvas rolls and stretching them yourself?
ReplyDeleteLily is a sweetheart but Tulip is so cute! Congrats on the Colonies finally catching on to your awesome talent. I'm sure this is just the beginning and pretty soon, we'll have to contact you through your agent. I won't comment on what I use because your work is so much finer than the blobs of paint I smear on my surfaces. Congrats again Sam!
ReplyDeleteWhatever you paint on Sam, they are always masterpieces. It is hard to tell much difference from the images on-line, but I think if you enjoy working more on the linen then it is worth the extra expense. A beautiful painting as always - Lily looks quite serious, like she has a lot on her mind.
ReplyDeleteSam, you should be named Offical Portrait Artist for the Bovine World, a bit like Richard Stone. Lily is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteA close friend of mine paints protraits and uses Belgian Linen exclusively, and Old Holland paints. Cheap no, but her results are always amazing. Something she says she couldn't achieve without these tools.
Also, I have added you link in my comments section as only your name showed up? Not sure if you can add your link to your blogger profile to show up so others can see the amazing stuff you've got here!
Cheers,
Cindy
Lily looks Great Sam. Long time since I worked on Canvas and have never used linen. Looks like you are getting lots of good advise on the Linen. It's only money Sam. spend and enjoy, it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna, I know what you mean about the paint)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley, you should definitely pop in! Thanks for your comments, I will definitely watch out for the sagging, good points.
Cheers Sandra and Cindy, mine was pre-stretched too.
Well cant say I will use it all the time Angela as it is more expensive-but I would definitely try it out and see if you like it.
Thats interesting Deb, I will check it out-is it more for the smaller pieces? Yes I did once stretch them myself but I got out of the habit, thought it was easier to buy them pre-stretched-getting lazy)
Haha Sheila, agent!? Always nice to be blogging Sheila, thanks for your support:)
I agree Karen its hard to tell the difference online, its actually made me think about different types of supports, maybe other brands of cotton canvas might feel just as good...
Cows are adorable and yours even more so! Well done and as for the linen thing - too expensive, but is on my 'to do' list.
ReplyDeleteI love Kitana, by the way. The story of the black rhino is quite heartbreaking and we have a major poaching problem here at the moment. The East believes that the horn holds the power to their sexuality and pay a fortune for one horn.
I had to check out Richard Stone Cindy, I wonder how much a portrait of the queen would be commissioned for!? Interesting about your friend, I think linen is quite good for portrait work.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz, yes its very sad about the Rhino and poaching leading to them being so endangered. Theres some nasty images on the web...
Cette Lily me fait encore craquer!!! C'est un bourreau des coeurs! Mais tout ça à cause de vous mon cher Sam...
ReplyDeleteElle est sublime et votre travail est prodigieux...
Je travaille sur des toiles de lin extra-fin depuis toujours. Les miennes ont la particularité d'avoir 6 couches de gesso et entre chaque couche, la toile est passée dans un rouleau pour écraser les fibres...
Gros bisous
J'ai oublié de vous remercier pour votre gentil commentaire laissé sur mon blog... Bisous
ReplyDeleteI love Lily...She is absolutely beautiful. Sam, you are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThats interesting Martine, that must make the surface very smooth? Ideal for your work, cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Hilda!
Thanks for stopping by my blog so that I could find yours. Your animal paintings are beautiful! So much personality. Look forward to following your blog.
ReplyDeleteLily is another beautiful painting! I have never worked on linen but have heard many good things about it from other artist friends, specially portrait artists. Whatever you paint on your work is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeletewhere do u get the linen from - and is it pre stretched and primed ? If it isnt primed, what do u use to prime it with ? Just wondered, as its been a bug bear of mine seeing canvas weave-- I hate it ! feel it ruins the effect I am after , think it s OK if your using a lot of paint and creating a thick layer... but with thin painting like I do, I would love not to see weave !! These two are great by the way. Did u see your rhino was on the front of the david shepherd magazine ? ( A thumbnail of it along with four others, but the winner appeared on the front prior to winning last years !!!- I think you are going to win it this year...) Jax. X