Year Of The Dragon by Leada Wood©

Year Of The Dragon by Leada Wood©

I just can't get enough of those Geisha, I love to paint them, and especially like to put them into a mixed media painting. I used an altered background technique and then glazed over that. Next I added some collage and drew my Geisha on, then painted and collaged some more until I thought it was finished. But nooooo...I decided since it was the year of the dragon and had a stamp and coin I would add those as well to the painting. Thus the name of my painting! This is a miniature mixed media painting only 5"x7".

Bohemian Chic by Leada Wood

Bohemian Chic by Leada Wood©
www.leadawood.com

I finished my altered background piece, as you can see she came through many changes. I don't know if you can see the altered background peeking through on the girl, at such low resolutions, but it is there. I completely covered the altered background with opaque paint. I also added some Japanese symbols for love. I used charcoal to draw around the figure and give a little detail to her face.

The one I am working on now I think I am going to leave the altered background showing  as well  as the focal point and keep the paint transparent. But who knows how it will turn out...that is the fun of experimental painting! Always an adventure and always a surprise! Kind of like life isn't it?

Altered Background by Leada Wood

Things are really changing now!  I didn't like the competiton of the background with my focal point and I decided to put a nice neutral grey on it. I selected a grey that was opaque so that your eye could rest on the girl. When the grey was dry I painted the textured strip.  I decided to put some of my collage papers that I make onto her skirt and do a little stamping. Now I have started laying in colors on my lovely lady, still keeping transparent so the writing on the prepared background is peeking through. She is staring to come to life, don't you think?

Altered Background by Leada Wood

I have now added my drawing using charcoal and a wash of liquid acrylic to the background. I am keeping it transparent so that the writing on the altered background is still showing through.  I will keep going...stay tuned!

Altered Background by Leada Wood

I am using one of the techniques I learned from the Liz Hill workshop at the Bunk House. This is an altered background technique. I adhered phone book pages to watercolor paper and let it dry. Then I placed masking tape randomly over the paper and burnished it. Next I started ripping up the masking tape. This removes layers of the paper and gives a nice textured look. After I had mutilated it enough ( do this technique to relieve stress) I added a thin wash of gesso, more of a veil, just keep it transparent. When that dries you should still be able to see some of the writing. This adds white back into the painting.