March 29, 2010

Learn to Use Smoke as a Medium for Painting

Most of us have dabbled in painting a few times in our lives. A fundamental step in any artistic creation is deciding which medium you will select to work with. Traditionally, painting involves a canvas or any other flat surface upon which the image will be painted; it also involves the right medium that shall be used to paint the image. Watercolors, acrylics and charcoal are among the most popular media.

For those looking for something unique there is a groundbreaking new method that uses smoke as a medium. The method being referred to is fumage. Using smoke that came from candles in order to create pictures is an artistic method that was first used by Wolfgang Paalen. Chances are good that you will be simply smitten by the results of your efforts. For those who find themselves curious about this trendy technique, the tips that follow should be of great interest.

Visualize your design in your mind's eye. Visualizing what you want to design is the first step in the creative process, just like with all artistic works. Not all people have the skills to visualize what we want to create. Thus, it is a good idea to visualize the overall picture that you want to achieve by manually sketching the design or by using a form of computer software that will allow you to produce a rough sketch. Given the nature of the medium, keep your designs simple and/or abstract (e.g., the human form, basic shapes).

Gather the materials that you will need for the project. You may consider tools like candles or a kerosene lamp to create minimal smoke for this project. Since this project is for beginners, candles of varying thickness and wick lengths are ideal. This is because longer wicks produce smoother patterns, while shorter ones produce solid and dark shades and forms. In this way will allow you to end up with diverse pictures with varied shading or intensities. Other than the candles and canvas, you will need items that will protect you hands and eyes, like goggles and gloves.

Fumage. After you have chosen a suitable work space where there is absolutely no risk of anything becoming inflamed, you can start the process of painting. First, prop up the canvas in such a way that you can move it about while you paint. You might need to paint from the side or beneath the canvas. Next, begin painting by using any of your chosen candles to apply the shading. In doing so, keep in mind that the angle and speed with which the candle flame is dragged across or beneath the surface can help produce different shades. Some practice strokes on another canvas can help you more certain of your abilities before starting your actual project. You must let your creative juice flow and try out different methods to create images using smoke.

Finishing touches matter. One step that should not be overlooked is the application of a fixative when the project is finished. This will help to maintain the image you have designed.

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