Fun with Sharpies and Painting Work

This post shows two pieces done over the weekend.  One piece was inspired by a painting of Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun and the other inspired by a painting of Auguste von Harrach by Gaetano Bellei.

Both pieces were done on Bienfang watercolor paper (140 lb.).  The first was done with Sharpie markers directly applied to the paper.  The other had a single coat of Liquitex Basics white gesso followed by one coat of Liquitex Matte Medium.  Trying the Sharpies directly on the coated paper didn't work.  So, Folk Art Matte Acrylics were used on that one instead (except for two Golden Fluid Acrylic yellows).  With the Folk Art paints, they again didn't fully cover the paper with one application (most of the colors, that is).  

I also had to go over the black lines on the painted version because it is too difficult to stay within the lines when painting, especially when the substrate is small (6"x8" or less).  That is because on mine, I had to start and stop along the way, compared with the initial drawing when all the lines were freely drawn one after the other with limited stopping.

What I like in each painting is the gradation of like colors used for light and darker areas.  In the first one, I especially like the use of grey that I normally never touch.  I've been using it more lately mainly as a mixing color to create the gradations.

In looking at these finished pieces, I like the feel of the watercolor paper and the Sharpies one best.  In it, the art is seamless with the paper and seems more professional.  In contrast, the coated paper leaves a raised surface/skin on top of the paper that the paint covers.  This is easily seen if a border of the paper has been left around the image.    

In my exploration of substrate and medium, I've found the paper products by Bienfang are not my cup of tea, and I don't like the Folk Art brand paints for my work--though I do like their matte finish.  

On with my exploration...