My artwork entitled Autumn Dance was my first piece that I created using the ICM photography technique and embellishing it to more resemble a painting.
I went for a walk one autumn morning with the idea of trying out a new photography technique, ICM (Intentional Camera Movement). I had seen some photos using this technique and found them to be more artistic and resembling impressionistic paintings, like those of Monet, Renoir and Bracquemond, to name a few. I found them amazing and beautiful, so I thought I would give it a try. There are no strict guidelines with ICM photography, it is mostly trial and error. A lot of error until you get the movement better controlled. The night before we had received some snow fall so during my walk the snow was melting and falling from the branches creating additional movement in the photos. The leaves had begun to change allowing a wide variety of color. I walked and shot for a couple of hours not really knowing what, if anything, I had captured.
It wasn’t until I got home and downloaded the photos to my computer that I was able to see the results. There was more than a fair share of “error” photos and then I came across what is now titled “Autumn Dance”. This photo reminded me of the impressionistic look that I was wanting. Of course those impressionistic artist created their art on canvas, so I ordered this photo to be printed on a 16×20 canvas with the thought that this will create what I am looking for. I received the canvas and it was “okay”, but it was flat. I wanted more, I wanted the texture that is evident on the impressionistic artwork. So back to researching I went.
I didn’t know there was a name for what I wanted to do, so of course it was hit a miss with the correct words in Google. There are many ways one can “embellish” a photo, most are for scrap booking, with writing, glitter and other additions. Obviously, this was not what I wanted. I wanted to add texture. I stumbled across a youtube video by Julia Kelleher, “Turn You Photography Into Fine Art with Gel Mediums.” This was a short video, but it gave me a starting point. I went to my local art store and purchased some of the medium she had mentioned. When the time came to explore this new technique, I was a bit hesitant. I wasn’t sure of the reaction this medium would have on the photo canvas and was concerned it might ruin it. Then I realized, this is an experiment, either way I will learn something from it, so I went for it. Not only was adding the texture an experiment, the process of applying that texture was also experimental. The first application was somewhat frightening as the medium was white and basically hid my photograph underneath. Reading the instructions again, it stated it would dry clear, so I moved forward and covered the complete canvas with the gel medium. It didn’t take long for the medium to dry and thankfully it did what it claimed and dried clear revealing the photo and still giving the texture I was searching for, kind of. The medium did as I was hoping, drying clear and adding texture, but my application of the medium needed work.
My embellishing/enhancing journey began. Of course I had to try it again, this time ordering a much larger photo on canvas, 24×36. Learning through many errors from working with the first canvas, the application of the medium on this canvas was altered a bit. I was anxious while waiting for it to dry, after all this was a much larger and more expensive experimentation. To my surprise, the final piece had created exactly what I was seeking.
This began my enhancing / embellishing journey. Since that first piece, I have continued embellishing/enhancing many of my photos. On many occasions thinking of how I might embellish a photograph as I am out shooting.
Since that first experiment I have tried different mediums, different applications and post processing techniques to create more from my photographs. I realized this technique of embellishing/enhancing photos produces a unique, one of a kind piece every time. The photo can be the same, but the embellishing/enhancing can’t be completely duplicated. However, there are some photos I do not feel should be embellished. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
I have established that some of the medium embellishments can be done directly on the photographs. There isn’t a need to print the photograph on canvas for embellishment. Through a large variety of trial and error I have found that different mediums work better on different types of photo paper. This can be disappointing at times and gave me pause, wanting to give up. I have a lot of pieces that didn’t work, but I’ve expanded my knowledge of what does and doesn’t work through this trial and error process.
I am constantly searching for something “different” and challenging. With the use various mediums, I have found some rather interesting techniques that will give different effects. Yet all will produce a unique one of a kind piece of art from the same photograph. My current challenge is to create art pieces that resemble that of Leonid Afremov. His use of color being applied with a pallet knife to create beautiful impressionistic art is amazing and beautiful. This process may take a little bit more for me to unravel, but I’m ready to give it a try.
You can see some of my embellished artworks in the tab “Embellished works” I hope you enjoy the artwork as much as I enjoy creating more it.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me from the home screen under questions and comments.
Best wishes
