Anatomy of a Painting: 3D Illusion

For those of you who follow my art will know that I always look to paint on different materials and challenge myself on what to create next.

I had held on to pieces of sturdy cardboard (some would say why?) that were in a television box that protected each corner. The four pieces were just under 20″ each in length and too long for what I wanted to use them for so I cut them in half.

Once they were cut I covered them in several coats of gesso and let them dty.

So, once my pieces were ready I had to come up with a way to put them together to do my first sketch. I used painter’s tape and with wood blocks for support did my first sketch. Of course, Peggy’s Cove was the perfect subject (was there any other choice?).

With the sketch done, I proceeded with painting.

The sky was first followed by the water and lighthouse.

Checking that the image lined up, I proceeded with the other image.

My dories, well technically not mine but my favorite subject.

Once they were painted I had to come up with a way of putting them together and unlike Red Green, duct tape was not going to cut it.

I used “L” brackets with wood plinths so that they would not pierce through the cardboard.

Once everything was attached I painted a canvas board black and put a wire at the top and bottom of the “L” brackets and attached it with holes at the back of the canvas.

I then varnished the entire piece and then put a black picture frame around it and it was ready to hang.