9-4-2014 Thank You

Before I start I would like to thank everyone that stopped by and commented on the last two posts. You have made an exceptional year into an extraordinary year so far. Our anniversary was the best we have ever experienced. Much of the credit for that belongs to all of you. Thank you one and all and may the good Lord bless all of you and this includes even those that stopped by but didn't comment. I am well aware of the number of hits I get and they are growing. I cherish all visitors, whether you comment, join or just look and , hopefully, read the posts. If the post inspires then it has done what it is supposed to and I am blessed in return. Thank you again and GOD bless.

 So then, as long as we have the opportunity let all our actions be for the good of everybody, and especially of those who belong to the household of the faith.

The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Ga 6:10). New York: Doubleday. 

I added a new brush to the brushes I use for the painting. It is an American Paints 5/0 #4650 Spotter brush. The bristles are about 1/8" (3.1750mm) long and 1/32" (0.7938mm) wide. (I hope I got that correct for the metric user's out there.) This allows for more control and greater coverage where needed. Now there is no need to switch brushes as much.

As you can see, it is very hard to see the bristles and that is why the explanation.

With that out of the way we can get to the update of the painting.

First let us see some of the equipment and paints used to finish to this point. 

8 paints were used either by themselves or in combinations to get the painting finished to it's current level.The syringe is for adding the precise number of drops of water when the paint becomes too dry. The little cup of water for cleaning and for the syringe and the paint tray so the little paint cups don't dry out. Now to the painting.

 As you can see there is progress but there should be even more. Before explaining why, Jill brought up an interesting point. I never explained how the starting point on this painting was chosen. Since I am right handed and want to do a complete color set once I started, it is crucial to understand that anything on the right hand side of the canvas needs to be done last. The upper left hand side is where you must start if right handed and the upper left hand side is where you start if you are left handed. This is done to prevent you putting your hand or arm into new wet paint as you progress.

That said, the reason the painting should be further along is because the light colors in the sky needed to be done again to cover the numbers. It actually took three coats on some of them to cover the enough to hid them. Still want to do a paint by number? If you do not mind backing up once in awhile to catch what you missed, and you WILL miss some, trying to get coverage especially with acrylic paints and the fine detail of a painting like this one, you will do fine. Patience is the key. It is also required that the paint brush be cleaned OFTEN to remove drying paint and to keep the brush itself fresh. Keeping a fine point on this canvas is critical.

That is it for today. It is a short post but it was promised. Just remember to always LOVE THE DETAILS.