Welcome to Polly's Blog

Welcome to Polly's Blog
Watercolour, humour, this and that

Tuesday 13 August 2013

BRUSHO WITH JOANNE BOON THOMAS

Joanne's workshop was a lorra fun you can find her on facebook, look out for her name or Brusho Momemts page.   The knowledge she passed on was generous and comprehensive.  I have been to many workshops and courses and her way of tutoring was up there with the best as far as I am concerned.  She is genuine, enthusiastic, inspirational and a reet grand friendly northern lass!  It was like being at a childrens birthday party, playing with brusho and using bleach, salt, wax, spraying, dribbling etc. She has a wonderful DVD out (left mine at the Boonric Gallery yesterday but I hear it is fabulous) and an ebook that you can download.

Here's some photo's (including 2 I have borrowed from Judith Farnworth's blog, hope you don't mind Judith).  It was lovely to meet Judith after following her in blogland, so if you want another version of this workshop, pictures of other peoples work do visit her blog. I took my camera but was that busy enjoying myself I only remember once to point and shoot.

Twelve juicy colours.  First job piercing the top to shake out the fine salt like crystals.  I had a little go once before and used my fingers, they were filthy for days.
 These haven't come out in order so will just explain each one. Above the boss  is painting hot tulips.  Obviously this is Joanne working her brushomagic (eat your heart out Paul Daniels).
 Joanne's ab fab masterpiece.  2 colours shaken on then sprayed dried and wax highlights added. Then negative shapes with turquoise and bleach to create the form.
 Here's Me! (One of Judith's pics Hope you don't mind Judith) Looking ever so serious. Look at Joanne's work behind me, brusholicious.


 Here is Jolly Judith having fun brushoing this daisy that Joanne had demonstrated.
 After lunch, and those of you who know, know that I don't really like painting flowers so what does she come up with brushoblooms - tulips and a large daisy. Yes, you guessed, I enjoyed it. This was a combination of techniques,  but negative shapes (hard to do need practice)
My Nude well at the moment you can't tell if it's male or female, but need to cut in with some negative painting and add some bleach for the highlights   
 This was the first exercise, paint sprinkled on paper and sprayed, some crystals put in palette and water added just like watercolour. House picked out with bleach and bushes were negative shapes.

 Concensus was that cheap bleach is not good.  Neat eg. domestos and sometimes half bleach and half water or spray this diluted mixture for other effects.

This big daisy I enjoyed but was done quickly so not finished (btw all were done on half sheets) A tiny amount of paint shaken on paper and lightly sprayed then flower picked out negatively, again paint used like watercolours

My paintings were photographed outdoors so look at bit pale but this medium is vibrant and doesn't dry lighter like watercolour.

And there you have it! So much learned and so much to practice.  So exciting and new!


14 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a fab day Polly! The colours are amazing, they must be WOW in the flesh. Do you have your own Brusho paints now?

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  2. We did have a fab day, everyone did really good work but most of all was great fun. Have got a lot to finish off now like you Polly...but armed with lots of information, tips and techniques now to make them complete!! It is such a lovely medium to work with full of surprises and delight!!

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    1. Got to find somewhere to paint with brusho when the mood takes me. But can see the I will need lots of lovely practise. Was a great day and went to fast.

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  3. Sounds like a great experience and those aprons must be essental!

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    1. Needed the aprons it gets everywhere. Still got blue fingers.

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  4. that looks like so much fun...! I love the resulting paintings. Did you use some sort of mask for the daisy petals? And....Er.....does your apron read "OLD CROW"?? LOL! Great post. Looks like it was indeed a 'party'! :)

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    1. The daisy petals I drew and then it was a negative painting, which I find hard to do. Oh, and what did you think was on the apron C-O-W! Very appropriate! :)

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  5. Looks like you guys had lots of fun ... great photos, Polly!! :)

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  6. Looks like you had a fun time!!! I've followed Joanne for years on WetCanvas and have seen several videos of her working. How great that you got to take a class with her!

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    1. I was very lucky to be able to go on her workshop, and very lucky that the workshop wasn't very far from where I live. She is as good as her videos!!

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  7. Old Cow :-) Hubby's apron (yes he does cook occasionally - mainly BBQ) has the statue of David on the front in all its glory :-) ... can't wear it when the vicar comes round mind!

    How long before you lose the smell of bleach on these paintings? I didn't know you could have so much fun with watercolours ... if only I could be trusted with a brush. For now I'll stick with my pencils

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    1. I've just a sniff at me paintings and the bleach is hardly discernible. Apparently doesn't work on conventional watercolours. Your hubs apron sounds a riot. You might have a vicar who would love a good old belly laugh. You never know. I could never do what you do, stick to your pencils, your work is superb :)

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