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Wild primroses

By

Jill Egan.

© Jill Egan2006

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© Jill Egan2006

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Wild Primroses

By

Jill Egan. When planning this painting I was concerned that the large textured leaves

of the primroses might become too dominant and so I decided to balance the

large leaf shapes with a mass of overlapping flowers.

Wiping the foliage out from the background will also help to avoid this

problem.

Colours used:

Holly green, pansy purple, malachite, yellow for reds, elderberry, black,

light chestnut brown, Albert yellow and satin metallic gold.

Additional items

Open medium, red resist, methylated spirit.

First fire ( m.o.b.- mixed on the brush)

1. Sketch or trace the design onto your tile, and resist the flowers with the

exception of the one on the left. If you have traced the design draw over

the remainder with a stabillo pen so it can be seen once the paint is

applied.

2. Apply paint over the whole tile using a large square shader; don’t worry

if you go over the resist. Holly green m. o. b. with pansy purple around

the flowers, adding a little black near the main flower. Holly green/

yellow for red m.o.b. for some of the foreground areas. Holly green/

malachite m.o.b. towards the top adding some elderberry towards the

right. The placement of colour is not too critica,l but have the darkest

area near the main flower. Blend and soften, I like to use a fan brush.

3. Now the fun part; using a small pointed brush and a drop of methylated

spirit gently touch the paint near the inside edge of the leaf; this should

eat into the paint and create an interesting leaf edge. Do not worry too

much about keeping to the line, this is just a guide. Sometimes I had to

coax the paint a little with a bit of dabbing with the brush, what you are

trying to achieve is some leaf texture. Next start forming the rest of the

leaf by wiping out, I like to use a brush for this. Use a piece of sponge to

add a softer texture, wipe out some suggestions of veins here and there

with a wipe out tool. Soften if necessary with the sponge.

4. Flick some methylated spirit onto the background areas and use the

sponge to add some texture but only in some areas.

5. Wipe out the flower on the left leaving some colour behind; wipe out the

stalks and calyx.

6. With a clean dry pointed brush pick up some satin metallic powder paint

( see note) © Jill Egan2006

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Wild Primroses

By

Jill Egan.

7. Tap gently on the side of the vial then tap the brush on the forefinger to

distribute random spots of paint. Repeat with pansy purple and chestnut

brown. Press the powder paint gently into the wet paint with the brush

then tap off excess.

8. I dragged a fan brush diagonally through the top right corner of the tile.

9. Peel off the resist and clean off any unwanted paint.

10. Fire at 820°C with a 10 minute soak.

Note. It is extremely important to take precautions against the inhalation of

paint, wear a facemask and work in a well ventilated area, outside if

possible.

Second fire:

1. Draw or trace the flowers onto the tile then strengthen the darks if

necessary and wash some additional colour onto the leaves pulling some

colour onto the flowers.

2. Take some highlights out of the leaves but remember the leaves are dull

and quite matt. Paint the calyx and stalks then start to wipe out the flower

petals pulling towards the centre but leave some colour to form the

shadows, remember that the main flower should have the lightest area.

Use a wipe out tool to form crisp white edges in places and turn backs.

3. Paint in the flower centres remembering those that are further away

should have less detail.

4. Fire at 820°C with a 10-minute soak.

5.

Third fire:

1. Wash the flowers with Albert yellow, take out highlights, and strengthen

any shadows on the petals using a little holly green, elderberry and

Albert yellow m.o.b. Wash this colour over the flowers furthest away in

order to push them back if necessary. Add some Albert yellow to the

leaves

2. Fire at 800 °C Gallery- www.aeducanart.com

Online shop- www.aeducanart.co.uk

E-mail- eganj1@hotmail.com

© Jill Egan2006