4/4/12

Blob and Smush

Blob and Smush Demo
I haven't been practicing what I preach; I haven't been letting my life inspire my art, and my art inspire my life.  I have been "grubbing" through things and painting walls, woodwork and trim.  That's about it.

This painting is a small demo done in class today.  Blob and smush (sounds like push) is all about softening the edges.  You "blob" on the color, and then "smush" it down by drawing a damp brush just under the color.  It keeps flowers from looking too much like "cut and paste"  I paint the bright color of the flowers first, soften the color down the paper a bit (smush), and then add some green  -  being careful not to let too much of the green run up into the red (a little red is okay to run into the green).

Now I think I'll go out into the world.  The sun is shining, but it is cold  -  41 degrees.  The grass is very green, the forsythia is blooming, and the Bay is very blue.  Nice. If I go out into the world, I should take my sketchbook  -  it hasn't been out in awhile.

Hope all is well with all of you.  Have you been painting?

16 comments:

Sand Hill Art said...

That's a neat lesson, Catherine. At the moment I'm re-aquainting myself to water-miscible oils.

Anonymous said...

its cold here as well, sunny but cool, I have been painting, busy busy, enjoy your time outside, soak up that sun!

Vicki Holdwick said...

I love this, Catherine, thanks for the reminder about the damp brush.

xoxo

Soeurette said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I love these sweet flowers.

Claire M said...

This blob and smush creates a wonderful look! Thanks for the description of how you do it. If you ever get a chance a mini-video would be super fantastic too!

Love you page! I've just been doing odds and ends on my blog.

Balaji Venugopal said...

Nice result! Thank you for sharing the technique.

Lesa said...

Thanks from me to for the technique tips. Very lovely work too. Your blog is lovely!

Catherine said...

Sally Ann/Sand Hill - How do you like the oils? I tried them many years ago and made a mess of things. My husband says maybe the learning curve is more than 15 minutes.

Lauri - the sun has been nice. I guess it is really too early to hope for sun AND warmth. You are about two hours north of us, and your weather seems very similar.

Thanks Vicki - a damp brush is a little hard to describe. My students were actually feeling of my brush to see exactly what I meant by "damp".

Soeurette - Glad you enjoyed it!

Claire - you're right - a mini video would be a good idea. I love the things you have been posting on your blog!

Balaji - you're welcome, and thanks for the nice comment.

Lesa - you're welcome. Glad you are enjoying the blog.

Diana said...

HI Catherine, it's cold here too. Not that cold though. love your blob and smush, happy Easter,love,Diana

Marj said...

Love your post...always beautiful. I just had to send you (Apr. lst) last Sunday's "Pickles" cartoon.
It SO-ooo applies :-)

Catherine said...

Diana - thanks! Hope you had a very nice Easter.

Thanks Marj. And thanks for the cartoon - loved it!

carole said...

Inspirational. Im gonna stop procrastinating and do some blob and smush. Thanks.

Catherine said...

Carole - have fun blobbing and smushing!

Kathy Craig said...

Love, love your painting style. Wish I lived close to you ... I'd definitely be signing up for your classes. Thanks for sharing online. Kathy - Henderson, KY

Catherine said...

Thanks Kathy!I'm glad you enjoy my blog - thanks for visiting.

Cindy said...

What a great technique! I wish I could take your classes but southern Illinois to you is a little bit of a trip!