Flowers by the bowl

For the last couple of days I have been experimenting with my new toy. A silicone wedge – a not quite brush or wedge, but a tool that offers a new form of expression. It, I would imagine is not suitable for all mediums, but lends itself I find particularly well to acrylic paint. The cheaper paints, like craft paints don’t work as well for me with the wedge. I do need to say though, that this is a personal choice, as I do not like steering the fluid craft paint around my canvas with a silicone wedge. I do however love using it with the thicker artist quality paints where you have control over the paint, and can make thick gestural marks of various shapes and sizes. The wedge has a rigid flexibility which is unique. A lot less flexible than a brush, and more flexible than a palette knife. The jury is still out on whether it is more versatile than a palette knife though. As much as you are controlling the angle of the wedge, the pressure you are applying and the quantity of paint you are using, there is still an unknown quantity as to how the paint will appear on the canvas. Both exciting and nerve wracking because it is either going to work, or not. Much like that of a palette knife, the silicone blade allows you to swipe a layer of colour onto the canvas in a motion that is governed by the shape you want to create, and which edge of the silicone wedge you are using. With this tool you don’t need to dilute your paint with medium as you would with a brush. As a result, the colour that you apply is more vibrant and intense.

In this video I have used the tip edge, and the corner of the silicone wedge to paint the rose buds I incorporated into in a vase of roses. The angle of application is ultimately going to determine the type of mark that is made on the canvas.

The wedge obviously has severe limitations if you are painting in a hyperrealistic style, but it is fantastic for quick, spontaneous, gestural markings that will allude to the shape of the flower – An excellent tool for bold strong gestural applications of paint, giving a feel of spontaneity and movement, as well as a slightly softer thin application allowing you to create almost transparent layers of colours.