Clear Photography

I hadn't checked the Clear Photography website in a couple months, so I was thrilled to look this morning and see that our wedding photos had been put up on the website!

Sam really did a great job with our photos! It was a perfect experience.

Self-portrait

This is a self portrait I just started yesterday. I will continue posting the progress.

I'm always second guessing myself with painting. I hope to just remember that not every painting will be a masterpiece, and with each one I will learn something and get a little more skilled.

Muslin on Masonite

I contacted a painting teacher I had senior year at MICA asking for a refresher on a technique he had taught us. I will post in the next couple days how it goes. Thank you to Mark Karnes for the detailed info! (His painting above -- absolutely beautiful)

What I've been suggesting to my students for a surface is Muslin on standard masonite. Using either rabbit skin glue or matte medium (thinned two parts matte medium to one part water).

To attach the muslin to the masonite cut the muslin 1/2 inch on each side larger than the masonite panel so the muslin overlaps the panel.

Then brush a coat of either the glue (see directions on package) or matte medium onto the shinny side of the masonite, then lay the muslin on the panel while it is wet, brushing it flat with more medium or glue to remove any bubbles or wrinkles. Make sure the muslin has good even coat.

Look at the surface in 5 min. and if there are air bubbles see if poking them with a pin and brushing them out will flaten them, if not lift the muslin from the corner closest to the bubble rewet the masonit and brush the muslin back down.

Let the surface dry (24 hours) and with an exacto or razor blade cut the excess muslin overlaping the masonite. If the corners come up just wet them down with more medium or glue. You can give it another coat but it's not necessary.

If you want the surface a little smother sand it lightly.

The same process can be used for paper (72 lbs. works best) on masonite. This process works best with glue size. You don't want the paper to overlap the masonte, it's best if there is a boarder of masonite around the paper (1/2 in or more).

Another surface is to mix 1 part shellac with 1 part denatured alcohol and brush it onto 140 lbs. paper (BFK or watercolor paper) 2 coats on both sides. give it 5 to 10 minutes for each side to dry. Do this in a ventilated area.