Tuesday, March 16, 2010

unprimed canvas


Above: section of painting worked on over january on linen with clear primed surface so as to look unprimed. This raw natural surface colour is my preferred choice at times - allowing the work to feel as though it is emerging out of something quite earthy and basic. Below is a reference to Joan Miro's work from www.moma.org - a series in which he employs unprimed canvas to great effect.























12 comments:

Mlle Paradis said...

oh yes! well I would use a food reference: makes me think of soba noodles. a very satisfying, basic, something that warms up everything else and make it seem MORE colorful, complex, rich. Nice idea Sophie!

Altoon Sultan said...

I love the layers of color and shape in this painting, Sophie, the way the white seedpods create a visual rhythm. And the natural ground makes so much sense with your imagery.

Four Seasons in a Life said...

Dear Sophie,

This has me thinking, but sadly today's canvases are sprayed with a thin layer of primer, only linen is unprimed.

I have thought of using canvas, formally a house painters drop cloth as a surface, especially one that is found along side of the road and has had a good percentage of damage for that touch of texture.

Right now it still is just an idea.

Warmest regards,
Egmont

Sophie Munns said...

Mlle Paradis,
I completely understand what you mean by that! Well said actually - the particular 'oatmeal-ness' of the ground seem to let the colours breathe.And when using the white line....perfecto!
Interesting the way Miro used a lot of white with the unprimed canvas.
talk very soon MP... away this past weekend and huge day yesterday...will soon pop in!
S

Sophie Munns said...

Dear Egmont,
is that true?
I certainly haven't seen canvas the colour of Miro's. Would love to see the drop cloth put to work in your studio - hope you get hold of one.
There's an australian artist I like - Peter Atkins - who uses that industrial strength canvas found on road haulage trucks - - certainly not for all his work...but to see those large works is SUCH a treat for the added dimension they bring!
Its in keeping with his brilliant gleaning capacity and application of paint with the everyday!
best,
Sophie

Sophie Munns said...

Thank you Altoon,
always such insightful noticing of what's trying to happen with composition and such from you. I relish that generous response across the miles from one who has accomplished (so) much as an artist. Its clearly useful to have the work and process seen by an articulate eye.
This was a late night post, a sudden find - after losing a whole post I'd worked on - just deleted it somehow_- I went off in a different direction adding the previous post, then stumbling on these Miro images - loving the natural surface with the white especially - but not even at first seeing the somewhat obvious link. Being late and feeling weary seemed to give rise to this link which I now see as a useful one to think more on!
Must pop over your way Altoon!
S

Sanne said...

love everything in this post! the color combination and composition of your work really impress me.

Sophie Munns said...

Sanne,
its such a delight to have your uplifting feedback. I loved seeing your work space in your post the other day....and you look very busy with work coming in all the time!
best,
S

em said...

i love the layers and colors. i think i would need to see the painting to appreciate the unprimed linen. how large is this work? beautiful!

Sophie Munns said...

Mmmm...I need to get another photo of this work...I've forgotten its size..will get back to you on this.
Appreciate your lovely comment Em!
S

ArtPropelled said...

I love this piece Sophie and your header is fantastic.

Sophie Munns said...

Thank you Robyn ( Art Propelled).
As your'e clearly a lover of wood and the raw, nature and essentials, I can appreciate your connection to this.
Its been excellent to realise a couple of years back how to have a very satisfactory stable ground for work that leaves the raw linen look coming through as it works so well with the the subject matter.
The header took quite a few trials but I am happy to have employed this imagery which so obsessed me about 5 years back. Its evokes the exact illusive but particular 'something' I wished to convey with this eclectic blog.
Thanks for visiting Robyn!
Sophie