Kevin Harper

Joined Artfinder: Jan. 2018

Artworks for sale: 24

United Kingdom

Updates from Kevin Harper's studio

  • Mid-painting

    Mid-painting

    I set up a range of colours, ready to use, but I didn't want to work wet on wet. I wanted the watercolour to dry enough to allow the next strokes to remain defined. On some colours though I would drag them with paper towel to dry them and give a dynamic horizontal blur. Although not landscapes as such, I worked with the sensation of landscape coming into being.

    15 February 2018
    Packaging.

    Packaging.

    I've chosen 'Wooden crate' as the nearest option in the multiple choice for 'Packaging'. This very slim crate has been designed to keep postage costs down and offer convenient protection. Each of my approx A3 watercolour curvy line paintings will be sent in a natural wood frame to protect it in transit and also make it ready to hang. Of course if you want to put it in your own frame later, there are hundreds available in this size. The backing is cardboard and the glazing is plastic.

    28 January 2018
    Packaging.

    Packaging.

    The frame provides great stiffness and edge protection.

    28 January 2018
    Packaging.

    Packaging.

    The painting and frame are wrapped in bubble wrap and placed between two tough hardboard sheets, slightly larger than the frame..

    28 January 2018
    Packaging.

    Packaging.

    Everything is taped together in a strong sandwich!

    28 January 2018
    Packaging.

    Packaging.

    The painting is then secured in a waterproof outer layer ready for labelling and posting.

    28 January 2018
    Working on the latest painting.

    Working on the latest painting.

    I've refined the process so nothing distracts me from the brush stroke I'm making. I don't have to worry if my black tee shirt gets splashed. It won't droop onto the painting like my regular shirts. The lighting is from one source and direction so I'm not shading my brush. I turn off the phone and the TV, (though I do sometimes play some Robert Glasper Experiment. Try YouTube NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert 8' 50" onwards!). This basic set-up has become a ritual of sorts, so that nothing distracts me. A distraction normally shows up as a bump in the curve. Even a random thought can cause my arm to tense up and ruin a painting. Then, the tricky bit is to apply the paint so that it's the same density through the stroke and the whole piece. Too much, and it's darker and dries unevenly. Too little and it's pale and the brush makes dry streaks. In an odd reversal of the norm, I want to achieve the qualities of a print, but with the spontaneity and welcome irregularities of a hand painted image.

    26 January 2018
    Behind the scenes........

    Behind the scenes........

    I wanted to have a record of the equipment I'd used and made over the months, developing my curvy line paintings, so I assembled some of my kit for a picture. I'd tried lots of combinations of paint, paper, and brushes. I'd built my own reservoir brushes, and brush carriages for my straight line phase. I'd even tried about ten different types of masking tape before I found the one brand that didn't damage the paper, gave a sharp, reliable edge, and didn't spill the paint back on to the paper, making an uneven tone.

    25 January 2018