3/22/09

IF- Subtract

Polaroid Emulsion Transfer of original sketch

Digging into the archives again to satisfy Illustration Friday's prompt, Subtract. The email came with a wonderful quote by Leon Batista Alberti: Beauty: the adjustment of all parts proportionately so that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the whole

Back in the early 90's I lived down the street from the Carnegie Museum of Art where I spent hours just wandering and absorbing all I could. Managed to squeeze a bit of sketching in too. The original drawing is a charcoal/pastel sketch of Antoine-Louis Bayre's bronze sculpture Tiger Attacking An Antelope

I love playing with Polaroid transfers, especially the emulsion transfers. Once the image has been heated & lifted from the substrate, it floats in the warm water bath like some kind of funky jellyfish. You can then stretch & fold it (carefully though as it easily tears) before removing & sticking to your choice of surface. In this case, I used canvas paper. While the emulsion was still wet I had fun tearing into the edges. I think the subtracted bits finish out the whole predator feel

17 comments:

  1. what a moving and lively piece, the Polaroid transfers sound like fun, thanks for sharing your process.

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  2. May I please exchange "Wonderful" for "Woderful" ?- JOhn

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  3. Very unique piece! Fun yet demonic. I like it!

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  4. That is definitely a predator energy! Great drama! Where do you still find polaroids?

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  5. beautifully drawn and edgy - you are very talented in many different mediums

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  6. Hi, this is a very interesting medium. And lovely illustration too. You've captured it very well.:)

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  7. you've captured the tiger's agressiveness very well!! the torn edge has enhanced the action further!! well done and i love it!!

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  8. Stacey - this one is scary for you. I like it. Loads of energy. Definitely up my alley! Nice work.

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  9. Very visceral, a very clever process you've got.

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  10. very dramatic and powerful piece!
    it was also interesting to read about the Polaroid transfer process, thank you for shearing!

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  11. I can just see the powerful jaws closing down on the antelope. Wonderful piece!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  12. Stacy, I love all of your work, but your emulsion transfers are simply awesome..G

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  13. that is incredible! love it... i've always wanted to try emulsion transfers but had never thought to do it to a photo of a drawing.

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  14. I love this too. I am adding you to my follow list!

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