Soar Purpose

06/06/2026

I actually quite enjoy doing the "ugly stage" of a painting, as making a mess can feel liberating when one has perfectionist tendencies.

Did the underpainting in burnt sienna but the colour scheme is quite different. Will build up multiple layers of acrylic paint, with details usually left until last.

Main aims of the underpaintings is to map out the composition and to give a "mood" (hopefully warmth and grounded) plus "harmony". Will be completely painted over.

Can you guess the subject?

Clues:
Name idea = "Presumed extinct"
It's a portrait
Aiming for deep blues, purples and turquoise
Native to New Zealand.

31/05/2026

Got 2 of my 3 entries for photography awards vetted for compliance to the rules. Had to supply the original captures. Have never had this happen before.

Am guessing is to prove that I didn't just apply a filter for the unusual colours.

Hoping this means they were a bit impressed, if suspected I faked them!

Won't find out the outcome for months.

My highest achievements with photography is "highly commended", including in international awards with mixed hobby photographers (me) and pro photographers.

Won't share the images yet.

31/05/2026

Came across this lovely demonstration painting a colour study with a limited warmer palette vs a limited cooler palette. Choosing 3 colours and painting the same subject, with reference pic converted to greyscale.

I tried painting with two color palettes in gouache using the same reference in my sketchbook!Head to https://squarespace.com/jesskarp to save 10% off your f...

30/05/2026

Did a few tweaks to try strengthen roofline. Problem is, with detailed paintings, is always notice something else to "fix".

Paintings can have little imperfections.

Acrylics on cradled panel. Phone pic under artificial light.

Is of the local firestation, build in the '60s.

28/05/2026

Added some subtle highlights to "Hive". As I had painted with a more abstracted style, including fluid painting, I realised I had forgotten to add antennae.

Still to be varnished.

Original painting, acrylics on canvas.

I basically have some ideas but improvise as I go along.

25/05/2026

"HIVE" is finished, other than varnish.

Has an overlapping but different palette to another painting, which got called "Pizza" by others.

Used some of the same techniques.

Ended up with a rich, warm effect but not all pigments were "warm".

Acrylics on canvas.

The "Pizza" aka "Pineapple or No Pineapple?" Is still looking for a home, within New Zealand.

24/05/2026

Glazing is a technique I use on most of my paintings. Applying transparent or semitransparent layers, allowing layers underneath to show.

Glazing is a technique I use in most of my paintings, to add vibrancy and richness.I thin the paint pigment with painting medium and water, then apply over d...

23/05/2026

This is a technique I use with some abstract paintings. Mix some highly pigmented acrylic inks with pouring medium and use a Pasteur pipette to transfer the mixtures to parts of the painting.

Has a high gloss relief effect. The pouring medium dries transparent unless opaque pigments are used.

Developed from experimentation.

Painting-in-progress.Sometimes I like to use pouring medium mixed...