This week we traveled to Eureka, CA, to study with JoSonja Jansen at her Folk Art Studio. JoSonja has earned the titles of Master Decorative Painter and Gold Medal Rosemaler. Early each year she hosts a painting seminar entitled Design and Color. I have been privileged to attend the seminar regularly, and it gets the new year off to a great start for me!
In addition to exploring techniques, we sometimes study the work of a passed artist to understand their process and appreciate their work. This year our study topic was Sulamith Wülfing (1901-1989).
Born in Germany, Wülfing painted from age 4, illustrating the visions she had of woodland gnomes and angels. Nature and biblical stories were favorite subjects. She endured very hard times during World War II, having to flee from Germany with her child after being separated from her husband and assuming him dead. Even though they were later reunited, their home, belongings and paintings were destroyed due to bombing in the area.
The work of Sulamtih Wülfing is beautiful and known for its ethereal quality. Much of her work can be viewed through an Internet search. Some publications she illustrated are still available, but are somewhat rare and expensive. We were fortunate to have access to a few of the small books that are owned by JoSonja.
An aspect that fascinated our seminar class was the hidden elements that could often be found in the illustrations. As you look, you are immediately drawn to the faces, but as you gaze further, you may see elves, wood creatures, or angels.
One technique Wülfing possibly used is water color over pencil drawing. This really interested me, so I began to explore those possibilities.
Another subject of our seminar class was incorporating fabric and lace into our designs. Some painted on fabric, decorating with their interpretation of Wülfing’s style. These could be adapted to stitching projects, pillows, etc. Others applied lace to the subject they painted.
My choice was a little curved-top box of Norwegian style, intended to hold sewing necessities. I applied a piece of linen to the top with medium, then gave it a coat of soft pink paint. We only use Artist Grade paint and mediums made by Chroma with the JoSonja label, made to her specifications.
I very much enjoyed sketching on the nice firm surface of the box, and then tinted it by thinning the heavily pigmented paints with just water.
Here is a view of the top before and after partial tinting:
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| Pencil sketch on wood, Vicki Allwardt |
This is of course a simple floral. but it was quite enjoyable. I am looking forward to doing more.
It's a little surprising to me, because I have done this technique in the past. First sketching the design using a pen, then tinting with paint. For some reason using the pencil was much more fun. Probably because changes could be made!
Another subject for our week of study was an antiquing method using only acrylic products. That will be for another post. Do take a moment to search for the images of Sulamith Wülfing's work. You will greatly enjoy it.
Have you tried sketching and tinting? Let me know how you like it.
Happy Painting and Creating!
It's a little surprising to me, because I have done this technique in the past. First sketching the design using a pen, then tinting with paint. For some reason using the pencil was much more fun. Probably because changes could be made!
 |
| Paint tinted pencil sketch, Vicki Allwardt |
Another subject for our week of study was an antiquing method using only acrylic products. That will be for another post. Do take a moment to search for the images of Sulamith Wülfing's work. You will greatly enjoy it.
Have you tried sketching and tinting? Let me know how you like it.
Happy Painting and Creating!
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