Contemporary Abstract Oil Textured Painting by Brad Rickerby

Colors

9" x 12"

 Abstract Oil on Wood

$47.00 (with 10% donated to charity)

Painting by Brad Rickerby

Available for sale.

I took one look at the work of Gerhard Richter and knew that I had to try to emulate it. Let me tell you, it is a lot harder to do than you might think. Here is my attempt (I have another coming soon). It took several months to complete because of all the thick oil paint that had to dry in between all of the many layers.In the end, all I can say is that it is different from what I have done before and it certainly is colorful. I will absolutely spend time trying to refine this technique.

I started with a layer of Zinc White applied thickly with a palette knife. I made sure to leave wrinkles in the spreading of the paint.When the white layer dried, I started spreading layers of color, two or three at a time so they would mix on the surface. These layers where also spread with a palette knife and I made sure that the wrinkles were emphasized. As I went along like this, I used the palette knife to scrape lines, seemingly at random, into the surface of the wet paint. I repeated this process several times, making sure to leave some of the initial white layer showing through for contrast and depth.

If you are interested in purchasing this work, please contact me by email at brad@bradrickerby.com.

My art website is http://www.colorlightmovement.com

Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Acrylic Painting by Brad Rickerby

The Three of Us, 24 x 18 x 7/8", Acrylic on Canvas

Gallery Wrapped, Ready to Hang

Painting by Brad Rickerby

Available for sale.

I wanted to paint something that looked like a Rothko, a painter I really love. I took a bigger canvas than I normally use and layered large areas with red and blue paint. I used no purple paint in the background of this painting. I used two inch brushes first and then moved down to one inch brushes.  Next came the yellow, three different colors of yellow in each block. I created the darker areas by blending in just the smallest amounts of yellows compliment, purple. Really, just the smallest amount. I painted the large block first. Realize that I had lost Rothko, but liked the painting. I my creation sit on its easel for two weeks trying to determine what to do next. Then the bottom blocks filled themselves in (well, not really). 

I like the final product and I enjoyed creating it.

Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Landscape Watercolor Painting by Brad Rickerby

Lots O' Flowers, Watercolor, gouache and dye on paper.

Painting by Brad Rickerby

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This painting represents such an emotional contrast for me. I was very depressed when I created this painting, yet the painting itself is very positive, filled with colors and life and positive energy. It always pleases me that I keep creating life affirming imagery while I am in despairing moods. It lets me know that my life is going to go on and that success and happiness are just around the corner.

On to the technique for creating this painting. The first was crucial. First I put some soothing jazz on the stereo and poured a nice glass of wine. I cleared my head, let myself come closer to the surface, then I started painting. The painting itself was large, 16 x 20".  I wet the paper then spread powered clothing dye on the bottom. Use brown, when released by the what multiple colors come out and the grains of dye remain that have the look and feel of dirt. Next I put landscape colored watercolor across the bottom and scraped it upward with a palette knife. I did the same with blues for the sky. I use the same knife to created lines that represent stems for the flowers. Finally I took watercolor and gouache for the flowers. I used mostly round brushes of various sizes to place the flowers. 

New Abstract Painting

As with much of my artwork I was experimenting with colors and textures, working late into the night when it is quietest in my house. I stopped for a moment to see what I had created with all my playing and saw this, affectionately titled, "Abstract 29017". I love it.

This is an acrylic painting on paper, 6 x 6".

Naturally (Reflections)

After spending a lifetime with a camera in my hand and the last twenty years earing my keep with that camera, somehow today a paintbrush feels more natural there. Go figure.

Abstract Cityscape by Brad Rickerby

This is one of my favorite works. I love the colors and the energy. It is actually an abstraction of the skyline of Hong Kong looking on from Kowloon. Hong Kong is one of the best cities in the world and I re-visit it often, in both my work and my daydreams.

This painting is an acrylic on wood and measures 16 x 20".