Just because you are working on a monochromatic piece in black and white does not mean that you should be limiting yourself to opening up a tube of black and white paint and mixing the tones from there. To get a sense of richness in tonality, you need to have warm and cool variations of black and white.

You can see the variations just in two blacks and a gray. I have lots of color swatches to help remind me of the vast variations between all the blacks (there are more than what is shown here).

There are many forms of each color. There is a great article by Robert Gamblin on the various color as well as applications of white paint that may alter your choices. It is a must read. There is also another article that explains all the different blacks. They are BOTH highly informative.

In addition to a monochromatic palette, I always like to add a bit of sparkle, using silver and/or pewter as my metallic colors of choice. To add paint to the surface of the painting featured above, I used various brushes, a painting knife and a spray bottle to diffuse areas as well as debossing techniques to get an impression on the butterfly that was trapped in but a stencil.

Here are swatches of metallic paints and colors that have an interference effect. I shown carbon black (not metallic) to show the difference. Also be aware that metallic paints will appear differently depending on the light and where you are standing next to the art. I actually love that about them. However, it is a challenge to work with!

For Revelation of Darkness (featured above), I built the piece up in graphite, ink and then acrylics (regular and metallic). After sealing the canvas surface with acrylic matte medium, I used iridescent medium using a dry-brush technique over the areas that I wanted to sparkle. You can also mix any acrylic paint with iridescent medium to give it a metallic look. In this particular piece, I chose to use it just as a glistening medium. By itself, it tends to have a shimmering, almost silvery appearance when it is dry over areas of color. The “broken” butterfly that is featured over the portrait was create using applications of this process.

The metallic color has an interesting symbolic history, with a dichotomy in metaphor and meaning. In mythology, silver is known to have mystic powers. On the other hand, the metal has also been associated with greed, corruption and moral degradation because of its use in monetary exchange. However, silver is most known to be symbolic of redemption, sort of the combination of both the good and bad elements.

In my painting entitled Revelation of Darkness, a broken, almost skeletal-looking, butterfly made of silver covers the face of the figure. Silver is used on the symbolic butterfly as the element of protection from evil forces. Here is the passage I wrote to go along with this painting:

“Lies and trickery disguise the truth, while distraction keeps the deception ongoing. Blinded by the mirage, I have allowed evil to enter. The spirit, a mere skeleton of itself—fragmented, torn and broken—yearns to fly back to its branch a butterfly.” 

Much like dreams, my imaginative works take bits and pieces from reality and put them into another context. In the piece featured above, I am playing with two different vantage points: one is from the subject itself and the other is from the viewer or onlooker. The figure or subject looks at the viewer with only one eye, not able to have full clarity. There is lots of chaos, anagrammatic text and visual noise behind the figure. On the upper right side of the piece is the word no, an underlying plea of resistance of sorts.

Next time you are working monochromatically, give metallic paints a try!

If you are interested in learning more about working in relief on the painted surface or working in experimental mixed-media techniques, check out my Masterclass on patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/lisalcyr

A Unique Approach:

Masterclass is a unique approach to learning, where each artist works on their own projects, whether that be standalone works or works in a series. Unlike a workshop or an assignment-driven class, this online atelier supports each individual artist’s intent on creating works that they really want to pursue. 

There are approximately SEVEN Live Events every month. The Masterclass Saturday sessions (usually held on the first Saturday of the month) are from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the In the Studio sessions are from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the same day. In addition, there is a monthly Paint, Draw + Create Together event (once a month) on Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social events (3 to 4 times a month) are on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Patron Art Feedback sessions for Masterclass are conducted four times a year, giving each artist time to create their works. Artists that cannot attend live can submit up to 3 pieces for a live session review. Each review is recorded.

Experimental + Traditional Techniques:

The Masterclass online atelier covers a variety of topics from studio best practices to a vast array of experimental and traditional painting as well as expressive drawing techniques. The instructor provides monthly assistance and guidance through live  demonstrations, lectures and group chats. ​If you miss a class, you can watch the recording at a later date. 

Painted Passages: This series of posts and videos on how to employ freeform painting techniques to create magical backgrounds and environments in mixed media.

Collage Techniques: This series of posts and videos on using collage techniques in mixed-media works of art.

Working in Relief: This series of posts and videos focuses on working in relief in mixed media, exploring self-expression through texture-building and bas-relief techniques onto the painted surface.

Studio Basics: This series of posts and videos on artistic best practices for the studio artist, from working surfaces, grounds, painting mediums, varnishes, drawing and painting media to brushes, tools and equipment.

Expressive Drawing Series: This series of posts and videos explores alternative mark-making using drawing materials to create expressive works of art. 

Conceptual Development: This series of posts and videos focuses on developing concepts for visually expressive works of art.

Masks, Props + Costuming: This series of posts and videos focuses on how I create unique masks, props and costumes for my figurative subjects.

Insights from the Natural World: This series of posts and videos explores using nature as an inspirational muse for creating artistic works

Just Imagine: This series of posts and videos explore working in a sketchbook as well as creating custom made books. Tactile surfaces, unique designs and engaging presentations stimulate brain activity, allowing artists to drift back to a playful state of mind.

Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club: This series of posts and videos explore writing about our works, creating poetry and prose and using the power of words to assist in the creative process!

Mixed Media Artist Series: This series of posts and videos includes insightful and thought-provoking profiles of leading artists, working in unique techniques and innovative approaches in art.

The Art of Promotion: This series of posts and videos cover artistic promotional strategies and practices.

Check out the complete Collection of Content already on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site!

Behind-the-Scenes Access:

The artist brings you into her studio through live behind-the-scenes access and weekly posts and videos to current projects and creative endeavors.​

In addition, you have early access to the artist’s upcoming Shows and Exhibitions.

Creative Enrichment:

Discussions regarding artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art are also explored as ways to assist artists on their own creative path.

Throughout this online workshop experience, artists discover a multitude of ways to ignite creativity, opening the door for the artistic spirit to shine! Check out the testimonials above from artists around the globe!

Get weekly access to the Rediscovering Your Creative Self weekly podcast which focuses on developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity, building a more creative and playful mindset.

Throughout the audio program, topics such as battling the inner critic, handling creative block, working through anxiety and self-doubt and interrupting the patterns that bind are explored. Managing fears, seeing mistakes as rites of passage, knowing when to open and close doors, riding the wave of triumphs and tribulations, avoiding distractions and coping with naysayers that keep one from seeing the light that resides within are covered.

Every month on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site, there is new Sketchbook Challenge prompt and directive, allowing artists to discover alternative ways in which to practice art that is more personal. Art created from this endeavor is shared on the private Community Chat with other artists.

Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Weekly Social

Every Tuesday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm EST, you can attend an open sketchbook night social event called Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration. We discuss the Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode of the week, setting an intention for our work and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity.

Artists use the Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration weekly get-together as a time to commit to working in their sketchbook, experimenting and discussing with other artists topics that will help in developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within. Recordings are available for Masterclass artists if they miss a session!

Build a Community:

Be a part of a creative tribe, interacting with artists and enthusiasts from all around the world who have shared interests in art. This is an opportunity to create a robust artistic community, broadening your horizons as a creative person.

Your membership also includes private access to the  Community Group, where patrons share art and works-in-progress, post the monthly Sketchbook Challenges as well as the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social art and work from the Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club. They also share inspiration, discuss new artistic tools, products and equipment as well as interesting and informative books on art and so much more!

Join Us:

TheNavigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind Online Atelier has weekly posts and videos as well as several LIVE events each month.​

Join month-to-month for $25/mo US or save 5% if you join yearly!

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