Painting # 33 - Using contour strokes: Ball of yarn

Composition Source:

Exercise  19:  Using contour strokes:  Ball of yarn

"Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings" by Mark Daniel Nelson; 

5 step-by-step directions with photos to guide you.

Finished artwork:
Size:  ~ 6" x 6" 

After adding a few strokes of  Mont Marte "dimension" acrylic paint in three colours, and the contour strokes show up somewhat better.

•  the dark Permanent Red for the shadow area
• Brilliant Red for the colour of the yarn,
• and Orange at the top for top lighting

I used the Princeton Catalyst Silicone Blade used with the "Dimension" paint to add raised contours to the yarn ball. 

When the paint was dry I painted on some Golden Gel Medium to tone down the gloss of the Dimension paint.

In Progress work and drawing:

• this is before adding the Mont Marte "dimension" acrylic paint and the contour strokes show reasonably well.

Paints: acrylics, student grade by:
by Liquitex Basics, Amsterdam, Grumbacher Academy, Mont Marte Dimension Heavy Body Acrylic. 

• red paint pen to outline drawing on canvas

• Cadmium red medium, Mars Black, Unbleached Titanium, Burnt Sienna,  Cadmium Orange

Mont Marte Dimension Heavy Body Acrylic. - orange, brilliant red, permanent red.  

This "Dimension" paint is a recent development by Mont Marte of New Zealand.  It is a high viscosity, thick paint that allows you to create exaggerated textural effects. 

I found it at HomeSense (by accident) and an amazing bargain at 83 cents a tube for "Heavy Body" acrylic paint, that is, if it was any good.   The reviews on Amazon, Australia, etc were very good; and a very positive  review/critique in a YouTube video by an actual artist.   

So, I tried them out to accentuate the contours to define the strings of yarn on the ball and it worked out quite well.  

Brushes & Tools:

• #10 round - Princeton "Snap" brush (student level) 
• 3/8" and 1/2" flat wisp brushes

• plastic palette knife for mixing paint,
• plastic ruler for paint straight edges
• Triangle ruler for squaring
• Materson Sta-Wet Palette  
• Paint brush Cleaner - water tub with brush holder

The Princeton Catalyst Silicone Blade   

Surface or Support:  

• Mont Marte brand.  Medium-heavy canvas sheets, cut to size. No buckling or warping.