Piece 1 process

The process:

For my first media test the process began by me measuring the fabric to cut out by giving a 2 cm margin around the size of the board I am using. Then I sprayed the fabric with water and then ironed the piece to eliminate all creases, so for the next step I have a flat surface when I apply two layers of gesso. After the gesso has dried I iron the piece again as wrinkles may have formed whilst the piece dried and now the fabric is ready for me to stretch it. I wanted to make sure the stripes were going straight across the piece and evenly stretched so the remaining lines remained parallel and stapled the midpoint of each side and went around the piece adding more. Before I began painting the piece I drew the outline of what I wanted to paint and then used white gesso to block out the areas I wanted the colours to be more solid and saturated.

Reflecting on the process:

the white gesso may not be necessary and would save time to not include this step.
Spray the fabric with less water, as if the fabric is still damp after ironing when I apply the primer it could become patchy and diluted.
Prime the piece of fabric completely as will prevent edges from fraying.

Reflecting on the piece:

I was using a normal stapler to attach the fabric on this piece which is not very durable and after time I may have to restretch the piece. From doing this piece I also found out I do not need the white gesso layer, as with the oil paint I can layer it up to create a just as solid and saturated effect. I also investigated creating a translucent wash of the oils for the shirt. I am not particularly pleased by the end result of the shirt as the pigments collected across the shirt creating a grainy appearance and although I primed the surface twice I may want to prime it a third time in future as when I watered the paint down it just sank down into the canvas. Overall I am happy with the piece, I enjoy how I painted the head and hands, how I have layered the paint to form the fold in the face paired with a more saturated colour palette adds to the dramatisation of the pose.

WEEK 1 + 2 This page is part of the collection 'PART 3. FMP'.

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