“Shimmering Aspens” 24″ x 48″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $2,500
Learning to paint with metal leaf has been an exciting and stimulating creative process for me the past several months, but has brought several challenges as well. Besides the photography, just learning patience has been my greatest challenge.
Because the process of using the metal leaf requires several stages and drying times in between each stage, I’ve had to change my entire routine of painting. Before, whether using watercolors, oils or acrylics, I was able to complete each painting with few delays. Sometimes I would put the painting to one side to think about the next steps, but I was in control of the amount of time to do that.
With the metal leaf process I have to wait for the under painting of oils to dry before adding the adhesive, then apply the first coating of metal leaf. I have several days to do this, during which the adhesive stays tacky, but then have to wait for it to totally dry before applying the sealer over the metal. After that dries I can start toning the metal with oil paint, but have to let that dry before applying the adhesive and metal for the next layer and repeat the process as many times as necessary before I decide the painting is finished. After that, I need to wait until it is dry enough to varnish the entire painting.
So, while waiting for all of this drying I start new paintings to get them in line for the “applying and drying”. Sometimes I feel like a juggler with too many balls in the air, but the rewards are many. I am constantly enchanted with the luminosity that develops through the oil glaze and the ever-changing surface reflections.
The painting above is the first one of the new series and is at the Lawrence Gallery in Sheridan, Oregon. Since I painted it, my use of the metal leaf has become more complex and a greater part of each painting.
