JAMES KELSO
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    • About the methods
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    • Isolation
    • Carriers
    • La Malvinie
    • 16 Walpole
    • The Ghost Tanker
    • The Shipping Forecast
    • The Didcot Interpretation
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    • Lake Keitele
    • Tom Stoppard
    • The Maybe Man
    • Double Self Portrait With Knees
    • Post Ironic Iron Horse
    • Terminus
    • Dune
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 ABOUT THE METHODS

I paint on hardboard. I prefer this to canvas because I often scratch and distress the paint. I’m aware canvas has a certain cachet but it has no intrinsic merit. It was originally introduced so paintings could be rolled up for transport. I cover the smooth side of the hardboard with six coats of gesso, and sandpaper this until the surface is silky. Finally, I apply a coat of acrylic titanium white and rub this down. The result is an intensely white surface, tough and robust, yet smooth and highly reflective. I work on top of this, using paint as thinly as possible to achieve maximum colour brightness. I use the finest light-fast water-soluble oils, acrylics and watercolour paints and sometimes mix-mediums on the same panel.



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  • Home
  • About
    • Legacy
    • About the methods
  • Gallery
    • Gran Via
    • Isolation
    • Carriers
    • La Malvinie
    • 16 Walpole
    • The Ghost Tanker
    • The Shipping Forecast
    • The Didcot Interpretation
    • Site
    • Lake Keitele
    • Tom Stoppard
    • The Maybe Man
    • Double Self Portrait With Knees
    • Post Ironic Iron Horse
    • Terminus
    • Dune
  • Prints
  • Contact
  • Gran Via
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