THE ART OF

HARVEY BODACH

A CANADIAN LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE ARTIST

Before starting a painting, a masonite board is prepared. It is sized, cut and sanded, in preparation for a ground surface. Six layers of a gesso ground are applied to the masonite board in preparation for a painting. After a thorough drying period for each layer, the gesso surface is sanded smooth to the touch. This makes the board an easier surface to work on when painting in a realistic style.

Most paintings have been built up with multiple thin layers of acrylic paint starting with a drawing transfer and an under painting. Some areas of a painting may have upwards of about 10 or 12 layers. Oil paintings are done using a similar approach. Acrylic paint is water-based paint and is composed of pigment particles dispersed in an acrylic polymer emulsion. When completely dried, it gives off a soft flat gloss to the overall look, but a coat of either matt or gloss liquitex as a finishing layer is always a consideration. Transparency effects can be achieved with pigments that are less concentrated which help amplify the visual effect of depth.

When planning a compositional design, I take on the role of an orchestra leader, but instead of directing the various sound elements, as an artist, I use shapes and the placement of visual elements to provide direction. The overall composition needs to work together but so do the individual parts. The movement and direction of the eye through the entire painting is important as are the many rest stops along the way in areas of high interest.

There are between eight and ten paintings being worked on at any given time, all at various stages of completion. This variety is both helpful when either struggling with a painting or simply bored and need of refreshing. This volume does not include the many preliminary compositions which are still at the planning and development stage in drawings. Since having moved into a full time position as a an artist, this Painting Gallery will continue to expand with notices being given for each new work of art in the NEWS blog.

The original artwork and photography on this website by Harvey Bodach is protected under copyright law. Each original artwork has a screened watermark to help prevent copyright infringements. You must not use his website to copy, store, host, transmit, send, use, publish or distribute any of its materials.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LAWS THAT PROTECT ARTWORK BY ARTIST, GO TO CONTACT AND CLICK COPYRIGHT