Spring Snow in Flagstaff

This is my second painting using the new Golden Open Acrylics. I'm still figuring these out but will write up some impressions after I have some more time with these paints.

I painted this from a photo I took in Flagstaff AZ many years ago following a late season snow storm. This was almost all gone by the next day. Definitely a fleeting moment...

 
8x10  Acrylics on canvas panel

Golden Open Acrylics - First Impressions

OK, I just received a bag of these new Golden Open Acrylic paints and I had to try them out.

First, the disclaimer - I have limited experience with acrylics so my insights may be different from a dyed-in-the-wool acrylic painter.

Anyway, here are a few impressions:

1) These are noticeably thinner in consistency than oils or even my regular heavy body acrylics. I'm not sure that's a problem but it may be a little difficult to pile it on real thick - as I'm inclined to do from time to time.

2) These REALLY do stay wet on the palette a lot longer. In fact, they maintained the same consistency as I squeezed them from the tubes for the entire time I had them out - about 3 hours! I never had to spray them with water.

3) The puddles of mixed paint (much thinner) did get a little tacky after about 10 minutes but, unlike the regular acrylics, a little water restored them completely. No film.

4) These do take much longer to set up on the canvas. Good for re-working and blending like oils - maybe bad if you like to layer thin applications in a hurry.

5) The consistency is still more like standard acrylics than oils. They don't have that "buttery" feel.

6) I have a feeling that these will really shine as plein air paints. Regular acrylics can be a challenge to keep from drying out - especially when it's hot and/or dry outside. I'm going to try these outdoors. I'll update this entry after I give this a try.

That's about all I could pull out of one session. These may be a god-send for working outdoors. I'm not sure, though, if they would serve as a "closer to oils" experience fro me. We'll see....

Sample 1

Sample 2

Au Sable River #2

I don't paint with acrylics much. I've gotten really used to the slow drying time and blending ability of oil paints. Never the less, acrylics have their advantages. Especially when painting outdoors. So, I decided to give it another try.

This is from a recent photo I took while fishing on the Au Sable River in Michigan.The day was a little overcast but the colors were extremely intense.

 
8x10 Golden Open Acrylics on canvas panel

Old Cabin in the Woods

Here's another  study from my recent trip to northeastern Michigan.

I found this old abandoned cabin in a clearing by a little pond. (Smart place for me to be with all the bugs... Duh!) I liked the slant to the roof line and the bright flowers growing right by the door.

  
9x12  oil on linen panel 

I love this area but next time I'm going to lobby for a fall trip - when the flying beasties are fewer.

Afternoon Walk

Just got back from a week in Northeastern Michigan. I didn't get to paint outside as much as I would have liked because I forgot an important piece of painting equipment - a dinner bell! The mosquitos and deer flies are having a banner year. Ouch!

Anyway, here's one of a few - a pathway along the Au Sable river in late afternoon. The sun was out but there was a thin overcast so the sky was a little cooler in temperature than I would have expected this late in the day.

 
6x8  oil on linen panel