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.

Feed The Birds by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Feed The Birds by Leada Wood ©

This was fun mixing media with my watercolor, I will definitely continue playing around with this. Funny how a ghost bird appeared behind the one in her lap...hmmm...also looks like there is part of another one. That is what makes experimenting so interesting...you never know what is going to turn up OR if it will work out!  I did enjoy the way this background turned out...kind of moody and mysterious. Oh as I was taking the painting off the gator board I ripped it! AHHHHH! Used a different paper, not my usual Arches. Will use the rest of that paper for my students or collage, live and learn...