Step #1 - Preparing linen supports

Carefully measuring and cutting Utrecht Belgian Linen for stretching and priming...For the complete demonstration, please visit my 'Dunlop Demonstrations' blog @ Dunlop Demonstrations or connect via the link on the right sidebar!

Preparing Canvas

Stretching linen onto stretcher bars.....

Preparing Canvas

Making rabbit skin glue

Preparing canvas

1st coat, of two, of rabbit skin glue, on belgian linen. Sand between coats. Ensure to apply rsg to portion which wraps around stretcher bars.

Preparing Canvas

Two coats of rabbit skin glue over two days....gently sand between coats. Then apply primer, below....

Preparing Canvas....

Applying the first coat of lead oil primer...Apply a coat of lead oil primer thinned with turps using a palette knife. Keep the coat thin enough to fill in the weave but allowing the weave to be visible. Allow this primer to dry over several days. Gently sand (wearing a mask, preferably outdoors). When dry, apply a second coat of oil lead primer, again keeping the coat thin enough to fill in the weave but allowing the weave to be visible. Allow this to dry for two weeks before painting on the surface. Note: I apply one coat of primer to the edges.

Preparing Canvases in my studio.....

It's been awhile since I've posted a new 'Daily Painting' .... as a full-time painter, it was always my desire to paint one little masterpiece each week, while working on my larger works. But, sometimes it just doesn't work out that way and here's one of the reasons why. I am one of those hands-on artists who savours every part of this creative process. I guess it's because it is so satisfying to be able to work with one's hands, be it carpentry, gardening or whatever. I have always built my own canvases and keep an assortment of different sized stretcher bars on hand at all times. I give my oil primed canvases another coat of lead primer so that I have my surfaces just the way I like them. Recently, my friend, artist Lisa Humes, visited me from Florida and brought with her some incredibly beautiful Utrecht raw linen as a gift. So, this weekend was spent not only stretching the raw linen onto stretcher bars, but preparing the supports with rabbit skin glue before priming them with an oil based primer. The photo above shows the process of applying rsg. After two coats of this over a few days, I will then prime the surface with oil lead primer, again preparing the surface to my idea of perfection. It's necessary to wait for a few weeks to paint on them, but it's so worth it. Please check my 'Dunlop Demonstrations' site to see the stages...hope to post them soon, as I do them. In addition to building these canvases, I've also been busy building my new website Bobbi Dunlop Fine Art Please visit if you haven't yet!

'Pear and Grapes'

Oil on panel, 6 x 8 - SOLD
A simple subject...always fun to explore. It's been a busy weekend. I've revamped my official website, and have it up and running for you to view. See the posting below and the corresponding link...Hope to be posting to it regularly, so please visit often!

'Among The Lilies'

Please visit my updated website
BOBBI DUNLOP FINE ART

'Complementary Tea'

SOLD
Oil on linen mounted panel, 7 1/2 x 10
Here is the completed painting...see below for the work in progress. This painting was fun to do with all the glorious color and beautiful round shapes. I've had this teapot in my studio for some time and have wanted to paint it. Adding the complemenary oranges was just what it needed for 'Complementary Tea' .... This painting is available on eBay. Please click on my eBay Store DUNLOP STUDIO, to the right and at the top.

Work in Progress....

Oil on linen mounted on panel, 7 1/2 x 10
Click on the image to enlarge and you will see it approximately 2 1/2 times bigger than the original!

This painting will be available on eBay when it is completed....visit my eBay store by clicking the link at the above right.

Couldn't resist these little panels that I prepared last week specially for my Daily Paintings....the linen is beautiful, quality Fredrix oil primed linen and I've applied another coat of lead primer to make the surface just the way I like it. It's fiddly, but I find it so satisfying to prepare this linen and build my canvases myself....and it's heaven to work on. I pushed this painting as far as I could in one day...I like to work on a dry surface the second day. This first stage is full of possibilities, many of which I will discover as I apply pieces of paint over the dry tomorrow. This painting was inspired by my artist buddy, Joey Iantorno. Joey is an amazing artist, and person, living in Anaheim, CA. Although we live in different countries we manage to compare notes and inspire one another. The artist's life can be a rather isolated one, by choice, therefore meaningful friendships are forged and boundaries become seamless. This one is for Joey. Hope to complete it tomorrow, Joey.

'Dazzling Pear'

Oil on linen mounted panel, 6x6 (appx)
Available
Please email me at rembrandtetc@hotmail.com or bobbi@bobbidunlop.com for details

I've been away from the Daily Painting recently....busy working to complete a portrait of my Mom and also a few other larger pieces. The surface I work on is of utmost importance to me, so I've been experimenting with preparing surfaces for these little mini-masterpieces. I've got some beautifully primed linen mounted panels, which I've made myself, ready to go and I can hardly wait to try them out...so I expect to get back to the little ones soon!