Two Philosophies Converge

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18" x 27" Watercolour

This painting is in the preliminary stages, and I plan for the buddha to be much more defined. Further, there will be a red background, with Chinese characters from a Buddhist manuscript running vertically behind the Buddha figure.

I am using a small Buddha figurine for this painting.

This is the next stage of the painting. I have also written Chinese characters in pencil in behind the laughing Buddha. The Chinese words are from Lao Tsu, section 33. I plan to call this painting something like "The Convergence of Buddhism and Taoism"

Upon placing masking fluid over the Chinese characters and applying my first wash of water, the paper began to buckle and warp! It seems that the gesso underneath has affected the tension of the paper and I realize I should have done this one on illustration board. I wasn't sure where to go from here...so I left it for a bit. March 13 - I got an idea.

I did some tests of the various reds that I have,

both in watercolour and in permanent inks.

I decided to do a very dry wash (i.e. I used ink only)

of a 50/50 combination of Flame Red & Scarlet

Acrylic Artist's Inks. I covered the entire

background, including the masking fluid.

The next step will be to remove the masking fluid when the ink is dry.

I spent hours taking the masking fluid off and "touching up" the Chinese characters.

The Chinese is from section 33 of the Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tsu (a Toaist) and reads:

"Knowing others is wisdom;

Knowing the self is enlightenment.

Mastering others requires force;

Mastering the self needs strength.

He who knows he has enough is rich.

Perseverance is a sign of will power.

He who stays where he is endures.

To die but not to perish is to be eternally present."

I assume "he" to mean "she/he" (at least, it does for me).

My next step was to do colour "swatches" and decide which colour to paint the Chinese characters.

As you can see, the colour I chose for the Chinese characters visually pushes the characters behind the Buddha.

My final step is to do several more washes to enhance the greens, yellows and blues on the Laughing Buddha figure, which will visually push him forward, making him the primary focus.

The colours of the background and characters are opaque, the colours of the Buddha are transparent.

I have done a series of washes over the Buddha, which are actually lighter than they appear here. I have also drawn a bit of black on the right hand side of each Chinese character (sort of like a thin shadow) to help them stand out a bit from a distance.

I have another 3 hrs or so to go & it'll be done! I will be submitting this piece into the "Painting on the Edge" competition.

I have re-named it from "Laughing Buddha" to "Two Philosophies Converge", as (in my opinion) the Taoist text converges with what the Laughing Buddha represents.

This image on the left appears a darker red simply because of the lighting conditions at the time the photo was taken. The finished red below is more accurate, however, the Buddha's colours to the left are more accurate. This piece is definitely better seen in person!

"Two Philosophies Converge"

19" x 27" Watercolour & ink

Giclee prints are now available, and range from $125 - $250


	Hamill Studios \| home A Paris \| Self Portrait in Studio \| One Pit Left to Go \| Two Philosophies Converge \| Self Critical - (Forever) a Work in Progress \| Japanese Lanterns \| Sacrificial Sake \| Lemons in Blue \| Poppies \| Bubbles \| Cobblestones Two Philosophies Converge Finished! THE PROCESS: February, 2005 18" x 27" Watercolour This painting is in the preliminary stages, and I plan for the buddha to be much more defined. Further, there will be a red background, with Chinese characters from a Buddhist manuscript running vertically behind the Buddha figure. I am using a small Buddha figurine for this painting. February, 2005 This is the next stage of the painting. I have also written Chinese characters in pencil in behind the laughing Buddha. The Chinese words are from Lao Tsu, section 33. I plan to call this painting something like "The Convergence of Buddhism and Taoism" Upon placing masking fluid over the Chinese characters and applying my first wash of water, the paper began to buckle and warp! It seems that the gesso underneath has affected the tension of the paper and I realize I should have done this one on illustration board. I wasn't sure where to go from here...so I left it for a bit. March 13 - I got an idea. March 13, 2005 I did some tests of the various reds that I have, both in watercolour and in permanent inks. I decided to do a very dry wash (i.e. I used ink only) of a 50/50 combination of Flame Red & Scarlet Acrylic Artist's Inks. I covered the entire background, including the masking fluid. The next step will be to remove the masking fluid when the ink is dry. I spent hours taking the masking fluid off and "touching up" the Chinese characters. The Chinese is from section 33 of the Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tsu (a Toaist) and reads: "Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment. Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self needs strength. He who knows he has enough is rich. Perseverance is a sign of will power. He who stays where he is endures. To die but not to perish is to be eternally present." I assume "he" to mean "she/he" (at least, it does for me). My next step was to do colour "swatches" and decide which colour to paint the Chinese characters. March 14, 2005 As you can see, the colour I chose for the Chinese characters visually pushes the characters behind the Buddha. My final step is to do several more washes to enhance the greens, yellows and blues on the Laughing Buddha figure, which will visually push him forward, making him the primary focus. The colours of the background and characters are opaque, the colours of the Buddha are transparent. April 29, 2005 I have done a series of washes over the Buddha, which are actually lighter than they appear here. I have also drawn a bit of black on the right hand side of each Chinese character (sort of like a thin shadow) to help them stand out a bit from a distance. I have another 3 hrs or so to go & it'll be done! I will be submitting this piece into the "Painting on the Edge" competition. I have re-named it from "Laughing Buddha" to "Two Philosophies Converge", as (in my opinion) the Taoist text converges with what the Laughing Buddha represents. This image on the left appears a darker red simply because of the lighting conditions at the time the photo was taken. The finished red below is more accurate, however, the Buddha's colours to the left are more accurate. This piece is definitely better seen in person! May 19, 2005 Finished! "Two Philosophies Converge" 19" x 27" Watercolour & ink $1700 SOLD Copyright L.Hamill 2005 Giclee prints are now available, and range from $125 - $250