Sunday, February 10, 2013

Giving Julie's Fracturing Technique a Try

Girl in Striped Scarf
9 x 12 oil on stretched canvas
     Last week Julie Ford Oliver released her video showing the fracturing technique she uses in her oil paintings.  It's such a beautiful effect and something I've wanted to learn more about.  Of course Julie makes it look very easy, but for me it was not. And of course I expected this since Julie is a professional and extremely good at what she does.

  Here's my first attempt at using the fracturing technique...done in oil paints which is not my usual medium of choice, though they are really nice.  I ended up softening her face and not "fracturing" it.  It started out fractured which you will see below, but I messed up and just could not achieve that look again, so I left it soft.

I highly recommend this video if you want to loosen up in your art work or if you just love to learn new things.

Here are some photos to show the process of this painting and the sketch I used to go by.  It was a lot of fun and I want to give this a go with acrylics, though I think it will be a lot harder to do since they dry so fast.  Julie talks about that in her video.



first layer of color

more colors, details and "fractures"

I wish I would have left it at this stage...I like her face, but the background needed work.  I ended up changing the whole thing because I accidentally got paint on her face which of course forced me to change it.


Sketch used
Graphite and Watercolor  on ivory paper

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28 comments:

  1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comFebruary 10, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Well hello and thank you, Lisa.
    I LOVE what you have achieved here and for your first attempt it is especially amazing. Look how well she in incorporated into her surroundings. Glad you didn't fracture the face. In my latest one of a child I did not either. Fracturing can be a little of a lot. One of my friends is using it only for the background.
    You get a gold star for being willing to try something new and in a different medium that what you usually use. I also LOVE the sketch you based the painting from.
    You are a joy!

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  2. myra andersonFebruary 10, 2013 at 2:15 PM

    I love it too! I like the various stages. I love your initial sketch. The fracturing does look good in the background. You will get better if you try it again! Your art is beautiful!

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  3. Judy ShreveFebruary 10, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    Lisa - love this painting and good for you for trying something new. Are you aware of Golden's Open Medium? It extends the drying time of the fluid/body acrylics. Here's a link to Golden's technical info on it:

    http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicaldata/openmeds.php

    I use the open medium all the time now. You can also buy open paint colors or just add the open medium to the colors you already have. It really helps with blending. And there's a sweet spot in drying when the paint is wonderful to manipulate. You should check it out.

    I learned about the open medium in an online acrylic class with Julie Pritchard & Chris Cozen called 'Layer Love.' It's ongoing & forever - so if you google Julie, I think you can find it. If you need more info than email me.

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  4. lynne hFebruary 10, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    wow, i'm impressed, lisa... and i agree with julie that i like her face not fractured. i adore julie's paintings and want to try this, but need to make one of those scraping tools first. also like julie, i love the sketch...

    xoxo

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  5. UnknownFebruary 10, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    I like the soft face too, it's approachable. This looks so completely exciting and vibrant. Alive and moving overall. I want to try it out myself when I grab a moment to do so. Love your art Lisa, always! *smiles* Norma, x

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  6. Carole ReidFebruary 10, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    Wow, Lisa, your first attempt is fabulous! I agree about leaving her soft face.
    Isn't is fun trying new things. Reflection says hi! xo Carole

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  7. Magic Love CrowFebruary 10, 2013 at 9:11 PM

    I think you did a great job Lisa! I love her! I have a scarf like that ;o)

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  8. Celeste BerginFebruary 10, 2013 at 9:36 PM

    Great result, Lisa! I also watched Julie's video just today. I tried fracturing this evening...but I'm not satisfied, so I will either work with it some more or try it again anew. You did a great job and you were wise not to slash her face! Looks great!

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  9. hmuxoFebruary 11, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    This is wonderful, Lisa! Not bad for the first attempt...I hope you do it again...and glad you didn't do her face..nicely done!!

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  10. Daryl BalcombeFebruary 11, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Looks tricky Lisa, I am always messing up areas of paint I like while trying to push other areas it does get really frustrating. I think your final image really gives an impression of a snowy windy day.

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  11. Mitaine et DentelleFebruary 11, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    Even if it occurs later in your life, for me there is no doubt you are born with an artistic talent... I love the way you have painted it, Wonderful work! Bravo!!

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2013 at 11:54 AM

    I like that fracture photo #2 has a really fab effect. Nice stretching of your work. xox

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  13. JanFebruary 11, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    She is beautiful, I would be proud of this had I created it. I hope you will continue to practice this technique, you seem to have grasped it well.

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  14. DonnaFebruary 11, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    I think she turned out marvelous Lisa! Good job!
    Maybe one day I will check Julie out.
    D~~~~

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  15. Tammie LeeFebruary 11, 2013 at 6:03 PM

    how wonderful that you are trying new things. I think it is an awesome piece.

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  16. illustration poetryFebruary 11, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    i dont know much about techniques but this looks good Lisa!!!

    hope you have been well ♥

    Mita

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  17. CameronFebruary 11, 2013 at 11:49 PM

    Is that done with a palette knife?
    Very cool technique :)

    Her scarf makes it appear to be a very blustery day, indeed ;P

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  18. koraleeFebruary 12, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    I think you have done an amazing job my friend..this does not look easy.
    Sending you oodles of love this Valentine week.
    Happy creating. xo

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  19. WatermarycolorsFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    beautiful Lisa, i love the process!! hugs

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  20. PiaRomFebruary 12, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    That looks totally awesome!! I love the snowy-effect and her blowing scarf!! xox Conny

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  21. DonnaFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    This turned out great Lisa. I used the same fracturing technique on my new piece( the orange part) except I attempted it with acrylic. Helps loosen up the brush strokes that's for sure. I loved Julies video...she is awesome;)

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  22. UnknownFebruary 13, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    love the sketch! Great job on the painting .. love the look .. it makes her look colder .. interesting technique .. I'm going to look into that.

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  23. wandamarie.blogspot.comFebruary 13, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    oh so very cool and thank you for showing all the steps. and then your painting is so adorable with her scarf flying out straight. your imagination slays me and i love it!

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  24. UnknownFebruary 13, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    I really love the way this turned out. Looks like you had some fun trying out this new technique. I am going to have to go check out that video.

    Hugs~

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  25. UnknownFebruary 14, 2013 at 5:17 AM

    That's so cool! I'm in awe of the way that you can render that image so artistically and yet so wonderfully abstract, but not really abstract.... it's just wonderful! What an exciting technique to work with!

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  26. Ces AdorioFebruary 14, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Oh wow! I have to check that out. Looks great!

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  27. Martha LeverFebruary 19, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    Good job Lisa!!! I have yet to try it although I did find some rubber to make the tool.

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