Painting—gilded honey bee
I purchased some small test panels to try Golden’s Absorbent Ground. The test panels I used are Da Vinci Pro Birch Panels measuring 3 x 3 x 7/8 in.
I applied two layers of ground to the face and sides. I sanded until smooth and then applied liquid gold leaf to the sides.
Technical Note
With this painting, I was still testing the properties of the Golden Absorbent Ground. I learned that the ground accepted the liquid gilding very easily
Ground + tempera
The ground does accept tempera exceptionally well. It compares to traditional ground in this way. So far, Golden Absorbent Ground is the best cruelty-free alternative to traditional gesso.
After that, I freehanded they honey bee from a photo reference.
I lightly sketched my bee design onto the ground. I rolled a kneaded eraser across the surface to lift excess graphite. © Katie Toepp 2020
I built up colors, working from light to dark, using a drybrush technique. I began with Cadmium Yellow Light, followed by Indian Yellow Hue and then Burnt Sienna. For the darkest color, I used combinations of Burnt Sienna, Sap Green, and Raw Umber.
Finally, I added a few highlights with Titanium White—my most opaque white—to make the bee’s body appear smooth and reflective.
The first layers of Cadmium Yellow Light and Indian Yellow. © Katie Toepp 2020
Layers of Burnt Sienna, and later Sap Green and Raw Umber, are layered to give the honey bee its darkest tones. © Katie Toepp 2020
The final painting includes highlights of Titanium White. © Katie Toepp 2020
Angle of the final painting to show the gold leaf sides. © Katie Toepp 2020
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