I took a couple of pieces of recycled cardboard cut to postcard size and gessoed them. Then I painted over them with acrylics, in a random kind of way. Them I drew on them in ink, using a couple of different pens.
Both scenes were taken from photos I took at the plein air event I did in June 2017, in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The cards were done in September 2017.
Claudia McGill and Her Art World 
There’s a hazy, soft feeling to the second piece, almost like it’s been created in pastel. I always enjoy the bold ink drawings against the visually textured backgrounds.
Yes, me too. I think the gesso gives that hazy feel – I put it on with a brush and take care to leave the strokes. I like how it breaks up the color, having this kind of surface.
Nicely done, Claudia.
I love working on a gessoed surface.
Me too!
I love the contrast of light and dark. They create very different moods. (K)
Yes, the gesso with the acrylic paint washed over it really gives a flickery watery feeling with a lot of depth, and emphasizes the light or dark feeling of the color this way, I think.
These are great! Love the colors in the second piece.
Thank you. I did too, kind of mysterious, when the actual place is pretty humdrum!