The aesthetic quality of fluid linear mark making, whether it be gestural lines, quick scribbles, calligraphic marks and the like, creates rhythmic flow and adds dynamic action to the overall composition in some way. To transform my working surfaces with an element of surprise, I will often employ Surrealist automatism techniques and approaches to ignite spontaneous visceral responses. I listen to instrumental music, especially scores from dramatic theatre, opera or epic film production. Working in a painterly freeform approach, I innately respond to what my senses are taking in. The pacing, movement, sequence and weight of the gestural and calligraphic mark making are all drawn from the rhythmic connection I have established with the musical stimuli. The interpretive experience of automatism painting transforms the art making process into a performance where the pictorial surface becomes a theatrical stage and the paint, medium and instruments are the dramatic actors.
In my mixed-media work entitled Mademoiselle du Carnaval, I listened to The Carnival, a circus opera by Chloé Charody and Sonja Schebeck. The ethereal sounds heightened my senses, creating a transcendent, dream-like interplay of hypnotic suggestion and imaginative expression. The song entitled Elysium was composed by Charody in 2008 and was inspired by the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. Every time I listen to the musical composition, I am so emotionally overcome by the pure beauty of the work. For me, it is about truly living and being appreciative of every moment, both good and bad. In Greek mythology, the Elysian Fields are where the souls of the heroic and the virtuous go to rest.
While painting a female figure emerged as an interpretation of the real, ideal and spiritual all in one being. Her vibrant and fluid headpiece transformed into a symbolic manifestation of the young woman’s spiritual awakening. A moment of divine revelation, the mystical journey of enlightenment revealed a personal, inner vision, establishing an emotional connection with the human spirit or soul. Much like Aristotle’s concept of essence, the picture is about what the female figure is meant to be and not what can be seen on the surface with observation alone. The contrast between the external world and the inner realm plays an important, symbolic role in my works.
For me, Mademoiselle du Carnaval is more about the human spirit and the ability to find power and strength from within. Even when things all around look monumental in scope, the human spirit and ingenuity always find a way to begin anew.
To infuse movement and energy, consider using linear mark making in relief! To create a linear mark in relief, I mix up various acrylic mediums as well as gesso along with liquid acrylic in a plastic bottle with an applicator tip.
For an opaque mark, I will use gesso mixed with medium viscosity or liquid acrylic. You can also use matte medium mixed with acrylic. The gesso mixture will give you a more dimensional mark in the end while the matte medium mixture will shrink from its original relief shown while it is wet. If your gesso is too thick, add matte medium to thin it a bit to create the desired fluidity. DO NOT use water, as that will lose the relief effect. For translucent linear relief, I use acrylic self-leveling clear gel mixed with liquid acrylic. The clear gel holds a great mark and dries clear.
Regardless of the overall look and the level of relief that you are interested in achieving, you mix up your medium and paint in a soft plastic squeeze bottle (it must be really easy to squeeze, as this will make it easier for you to work fluidly and more naturally) with an applicator tip. Mix it up really well with a stick and try not to create too many air bubbles by shaking. The air bubbles will affect the smooth application of paint onto the surface otherwise. You can also premix your paint/medium in a cup and then pour it into the bottle.
Using scissors, cut the applicator tip to the desired width that you would like to express in line. This width as shown above is considered a medium range. You can alter the line by how close you are to the surface. The farther you are away, the more delicate the line and the closer you are the heavier the line.
Get the flow going on a separate piece of paper so that your mixture is flowing in a consistent manner. You may also want to do some practice runs to get the hang of how to alter the line. The important thing to note is to not move too slow, where you are stopping and starting, as this will contradict any kind of dynamic action you’re trying to infuse into the picture plane. You need to feel confident in working fast, allowing the mark making to simulate the process of doing a gestural drawing. When you are doing a quick gestural drawing, you are not moving slow but instead the hand moves quickly to capture the essence of the movement. This is what you are trying to achieve in relief.
Also, if you want the line to command the page, you need to move the paint off the edges of the painted surface in your movement. In other words, don’t stop short on the edge of the picture plane, as that will again hinder the overall dynamic action that you are trying to achieve.
It is important that you work on a very flat and stable working surface. Once you have created interesting marks in relief on the surface of the painting, make sure to let it dry fully for several days on top of that flat hard surface. If there is any dip in the surface plane, your linear marks may slightly move, as gravity has a way of altering things. Humidity depending, heavy relief can take up to a week to dry and fully cure.
If you are interested in learning more about working in relief on the painted surface or working in experimental mixed-media techniques, check out my Masterclass on patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/lisalcyr
A Unique Approach:
Masterclass is a unique approach to learning, where each artist works on their own projects, whether that be standalone works or works in a series. Unlike a workshop or an assignment-driven class, this online atelier supports each individual artist’s intent on creating works that they really want to pursue.Â
There are approximately SEVEN Live Events every month. The Masterclass Saturday sessions (usually held on the first Saturday of the month) are from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the In the Studio sessions are from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the same day. In addition, there is a monthly Paint, Draw + Create Together event (once a month) on Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social events (3 to 4 times a month) are on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
Patron Art Feedback sessions for Masterclass are conducted four times a year, giving each artist time to create their works. Artists that cannot attend live can submit up to 3 pieces for a live session review. Each review is recorded.
Experimental + Traditional Techniques:
The Masterclass online atelier covers a variety of topics from studio best practices to a vast array of experimental and traditional painting as well as expressive drawing techniques. The instructor provides monthly assistance and guidance through live demonstrations, lectures and group chats. ​If you miss a class, you can watch the recording at a later date.Â
Painted Passages:Â This series of posts and videos on how to employ freeform painting techniques to create magical backgrounds and environments in mixed media.
Collage Techniques:Â This series of posts and videos on using collage techniques in mixed-media works of art.
Working in Relief:Â This series of posts and videos focuses on working in relief in mixed media, exploring self-expression through texture-building and bas-relief techniques onto the painted surface.
Studio Basics:Â This series of posts and videos on artistic best practices for the studio artist, from working surfaces, grounds, painting mediums, varnishes, drawing and painting media to brushes, tools and equipment.
Expressive Drawing Series: This series of posts and videos explores alternative mark-making using drawing materials to create expressive works of art.Â
Conceptual Development:Â This series of posts and videos focuses on developing concepts for visually expressive works of art.
Masks, Props + Costuming:Â This series of posts and videos focuses on how I create unique masks, props and costumes for my figurative subjects.
Insights from the Natural World: This series of posts and videos explores using nature as an inspirational muse for creating artistic works
Just Imagine:Â This series of posts and videos explore working in a sketchbook as well as creating custom made books. Tactile surfaces, unique designs and engaging presentations stimulate brain activity, allowing artists to drift back to a playful state of mind.
Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club:Â This series of posts and videos explore writing about our works, creating poetry and prose and using the power of words to assist in the creative process!
Mixed Media Artist Series:Â This series of posts and videos includes insightful and thought-provoking profiles of leading artists, working in unique techniques and innovative approaches in art.
The Art of Promotion:Â This series of posts and videos cover artistic promotional strategies and practices.
Check out the complete Collection of Content already on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site!
Behind-the-Scenes Access:
The artist brings you into her studio through live behind-the-scenes access and weekly posts and videos to current projects and creative endeavors.​
In addition, you have early access to the artist’s upcoming Shows and Exhibitions.
Creative Enrichment:
Discussions regarding artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art are also explored as ways to assist artists on their own creative path.
Throughout this online workshop experience, artists discover a multitude of ways to ignite creativity, opening the door for the artistic spirit to shine! Check out the testimonials above from artists around the globe!
Get weekly access to the Rediscovering Your Creative Self weekly podcast which focuses on developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity, building a more creative and playful mindset.
Throughout the audio program, topics such as battling the inner critic, handling creative block, working through anxiety and self-doubt and interrupting the patterns that bind are explored. Managing fears, seeing mistakes as rites of passage, knowing when to open and close doors, riding the wave of triumphs and tribulations, avoiding distractions and coping with naysayers that keep one from seeing the light that resides within are covered.
Every month on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site, there is new Sketchbook Challenge prompt and directive, allowing artists to discover alternative ways in which to practice art that is more personal. Art created from this endeavor is shared on the private Community Chat with other artists.
Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Weekly Social
Every Tuesday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm EST, you can attend an open sketchbook night social event called Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration. We discuss the Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode of the week, setting an intention for our work and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity.
Artists use the Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration weekly get-together as a time to commit to working in their sketchbook, experimenting and discussing with other artists topics that will help in developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within. Recordings are available for Masterclass artists if they miss a session!
Build a Community:
Be a part of a creative tribe, interacting with artists and enthusiasts from all around the world who have shared interests in art. This is an opportunity to create a robust artistic community, broadening your horizons as a creative person.
Your membership also includes private access to the  Community Group, where patrons share art and works-in-progress, post the monthly Sketchbook Challenges as well as the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social art and work from the Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club. They also share inspiration, discuss new artistic tools, products and equipment as well as interesting and informative books on art and so much more!
Join Us:
The Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind Online Atelier has weekly posts and videos as well as several LIVE events each month.​
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Copyright 2020 Lisa L. Cyr, CYR STUDIO LLC
Wonderful work and great insight into the technique(s). Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Useful information presented in clear manner. I can’t wait to try the technique! Lisa’s art is beautiful and inspiring.
Thanks so much Lolly!