Loving Thick Paint

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hey Everyone,

I’m so sorry I haven’t been posting much of late.  I spend most of my time managing my sister’s care.  She had a stroke about six years ago, but was able to continue living at home with help until April of last year.  She cannot walk any more and requires a lot more help.  She is now in a nursing home.  I live in Georgia, but she is in Mississippi.  I spend most of my time in Mississippi these days.  I do have my older computer here and can continue painting.

My Painter 2019 class is still available.  A few folks in that class requested that I do another Painter brush making class.  I did the last one in 2012.  I started it last week and hope to have it available in a month or sooner.

Lately, thick paint interests me.  I have mixed watercolor with thick paint and that has been fun.  I want to perfect thick paint and be able to use it in a very thick way.  I have made some new brushes that I really like.  Some are palette knives but the ones I am liking the most are thick paint variants with very stiff bristles.  Here are a couple of examples.  The first one started as watercolor washes and then I added thick paint.

Corel Painter 2019, Watercolor and Thick Paint variants

In the next one, I am using only thick paint and the variants are palette knives.

Corel Painter 2019, Thick Paint Palette Knives

And the last one is also using Thick Paint, but the variants have very stiff bristles.  I like this look a lot.

Corel Painter 2019, Thick Paint variants with stiff bristles

When I feel like the brushes are complete, I’ll post them.  It has been a while since I have given out any variants on my site.  I like how these are looking and hope you do too.

Enjoy,

Skip

44 responses to “Loving Thick Paint”


  5. Skip I really love your examples with your thick paint brushes. I’ll be looking forward to any brushes you care to share. Thank you for sharing with us. Also I am very sorry your sisters situation has evolved as it has. You are a good brother to help so with her care. God bless you both.

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  6. Thanks Skip. You’re very generous. I appreciate your art very much.
    Btw, I’ve found thick paint to be very challenging. Your approach will also be appreciated!!!
    Also, being a family caregiver is most noble gesture for good men, and unfortunately, a job from some. I commend you!

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    • Thanks Paul. I find thick paint challenging, too. It is taking a lot of practice. I didn’t work with thick paint way back when I painted traditionally, so I didn’t have any experience to draw from. I am finding that the looser I paint, the better…also, I need to release any expectations. There is still a lot of trial and error going on. I have been looking at traditional artist that I like. One in particular is Tibor Nagy. Google him. I have also been looking at closeups of Sargent’s work…looking at his loose bristly brushstrokes. Some of the brushes were created to get that Sargent look. For portraits, I would look at Lucien Freud. I like his very thick paint approach.

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  7. Love your work and brushes, you are the best. You always put you heart and soul into all you do. You always amaze me. I will continue to pray that you may have stamina to continue to go the extra mile and for strength to be there for your sister through difficult times. Keep up the great work.

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  10. Skip 🙂

    Thanks for your update.

    Considering all you’re going through to help your sister, I’m amazed you have the energy to keep creating training.

    Thanks for all that you’re doing.

    Graeme

    >

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  15. Your efforts continue to inspire me. I just need to make the time. Looking forward to giving the new variants a spin.

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  17. You are so very good to be with your sister. My very best wishes to you. A digital version of thick paint did not appeal to me at first, but I love your paintings and am being converted!!

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    • Hey Val…it has taken me a while. I always liked them…or at least the concept, but it has taken a while to develop my workflow with them. It is still a work in progress.

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  18. Skip you are an Angel for your Sister, your art is giving you the strength to,keep going the amazing way you do. Have been reviewing your P19 videos this week and looking forward to more challenges. I am a caregiver to to my husband who will recover from terrible back challenges, we have him finally with good doctors who know their stuff. Art focuses the mind and takes you into another place at least for a while. And we students are the benefactors of that creative energy as you are too!

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  19. I’ve no doubt your brushes will be wonderful as all have been in the past. Your latest thick paint creation really looks traditional which is amazing. Keep it up friend. Right now I’m doing a lot with my roommate as you did with your sister. It really takes time.

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  20. Hoping you are taking care of yourself as well.

    My housemate and also my business partner for the last 10 years has developing dementia among other health issues. My daughter and her wife have moved in with us because she needs 24/7 watch care. This is so we can keep her at home as long as possible.

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  21. Thank you Skip. My best to you and your sister. I took your brushes class back in 2012 and look forward to your next class on this topic. Stay strong. I too am in my 70’s and know how tough life can be at this age. Take care. My wife and I will keep you and your sister in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply

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