Notton  Art  Studio

1. What paint do you use and why?:

I use artist quality acrylics. The trade-off of oil v. acrylic is an easy choice for me. Acrylics involve no toxic or flammable fumes like oils do. Although acrylics have a short working time, the benefit is that heavy impasto acrylic is fully dry in two weeks or so. An equivalent oil impasto can take over a year to cure (oxidize). 

 

2. What is your process to produce the end result? 

For me, quality starts long before picking up a paint brush or palette knife. After deciding on an image concept and complimentary panel shape, the premium grade panel is marked out, cut and sanded. Next, all edges are sealed with wood glue and, after hanger bars are glued on, all areas receive multiple coats of primer/sealer. Many artist's panels do not include this key latter step! The preliminary image detail elements are drawn, and then each receives multiple paint under-layers close or identical to the initial color palette selection. This step aids in confirming color selection, sub-element placement, and may drive adjustments. Under layers work in conjunction with top layer transparency. Then the fun really starts...

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3. Are your paintings varnished?

Yes. This aspect goes back to the quality I wish the client to have on their walls. Acrylics are literally pigment and polymers suspended in water. The water evaporates leaving micro-pores in the surface paint, and these pores attract dirt in the air over time that does not wipe off. Hence, after the acrylics have dried (2-3 weeks), the paintings receive two coats of varnish. I recommend satin varnish, because it enhances and unifies the color saturation across a painting, while reducing glare reflections associated with gloss varnish. By using Winsor & Newton varnish, the varnish is removable if necessary, without the need for a barrier coating required by other brands. Also, varnish provides UV protection to the paint.

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4. Do your paintings require framing?

No. The non-rectangular panels do not lend themselves to framing, and would detract from the concept. All edges are finished with a smooth gel layer that continues the color of the face of the painting. The rear hanger bars provide a 3/4 inch stand-off from the wall.

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5. Do you accept commissions?

Yes, and please contact me to discuss your needs.There are always new works in process. If a piece has already sold, it is possible to create a similar theme. Most of my current series are approximately 2 ft X 2 ft (standard art shipping boxes), but I have done works 7 ft X 3 ft. Beyond 4 ft X 8 ft, the use of panel drives the need to split the art-work into diptych or triptych designs.