British Expat Forum

I went to a local show at the weekend, and was just thrilled by this latest technique used for 'painting pictures'. It took all of three minutes to complete this one of an outback scene, hence the colours used, and I bought it then for $4.

The tools used were a very small hot iron, different coloured 'noggins' of pure beeswax, a thin prong with a rounded end and a cleaning cloth.

I watched fascinated as first of all some white, orange and blue beeswax was just scribbled on the hot iron, and then it was dragged over the shiny card, to 'paint' the sky. The iron was then wiped clean and some orange and a little black was scribbled on the iron to 'paint' the hills. The card was then wiped off straight across the bottom with the cloth, making the effect of water. More black and orange beeswax was applied this time vertically, to make up the plants and rocks in the foreground, and then the tree trunk was drawn in with the prong and the leaves dabbed on, again with the iron. Three black dots became the birds, and that was the picture completed.

I don't know why, but the red is much darker here than it actually is.

SSue 8)

It's very surreal, i like it . But i guess you must hang it a shadey place 8)

Yes I think so too, as the beeswax can be scraped off, so in our temperatures, if left in the sun it could get sticky.

SSue 8)

Have you tried doing some painting yourself, SSue? Bet it takes you a bit longer. It's fun watching experts demonstrate things like this, though.

Yes, I practice watercolour at home, and attend an art class for acrylics every week.

Todays class was the best yet. We painted thickly on perspex, sprayed it well with water and also the paper too, and then put the paper on top and carefully smoothed it all out, transfering the picture mirror reversed onto the paper. We then sprayed more water and did it again, and it was more of a watercolour effect this time. It was amazing what happened to it, and also great fun. We've voted to do more of the same next week, which is our last class of the seven week course.

My efforts were likened to a Monet, which I was well chuffed with, and I asked her how much she thought I could sell it for

I've been told of a great watercolour artist, and I'll be going to one of her courses eventually.

SSue 8)

See if there is a marketing course on offer nearby

And if you need any e-Business consultancy I should've finished by MSc by then.

I don't kid myself that I'm that good. It was just a flattering remark, and she made similar to others as well. Mind you having said that, I saw some canvases for sale at the markets, for $250.00, and I'm pretty sure I could paint just as good!

Maybe later down the track I might give the markets a go, but I'd have to have enough painted for a wide choice. That's the place to sell arts and crafts, and the overheads are peanuts. One of our markets is particularly good, and jam packed with every craft imagineable. When we first came to Sydney we used to have a stall every Saturday and Sunday and the atmosphere is just great. We sold a wide variety of goods, anything that we could sell quickly, souvenirs etc.

Being known as an artist would be the ultimate for me, but I'm under no illusions that I'll ever make it. I just enjoy it all so much, and that's satisfaction enough.

SSue 8)