ACEO Acrylic Monoprint 'Out of the Mire' - Day 9, 30 paintings challenge

 Miniature art trading card

ACEO 19 - Out of the mire

2.5 by 3.5 inch 

Abstract Acrylic monoprint on Bristol card

Available for purchase 12€ (int. shipping icl.)

This small abstract suggests all sorts of things to me - the red, black and white scheme looks mysterious and the lines suggest going into the distance - What does it suggest to you?

Yesterdays challenge entry

ACEO landscape Provence Poppy fields 1 painting Day 8, 30 paintings challenge

 Miniature art trading card

ACEO 12 - Landscape Poppy Fields 1

2.5 by 3.5 inch 

gouache on watercolour paper

Available for purchase (int. shipping icl.)

A small painting of the Provence poppy fields in gouache. A sister painting to yesterday's painting

Using Gouache
Gouache is a water-based paint (sometimes called body colour) and is an under-rated medium. It can be used as is for an opaque paint or diluted with water to give a watercolour effect. I normally use it undiluted and lay one stroke on top of another, trying not to disturb the stroke underneath. It has a matte finish which I like. 


Through the woods, one of my first gouache paintings, shows a different effect for gouache.

What are ACEOs? ACEOs are small works of art measuring 2.5x3.5inch. They are an excellent and affordable way to start an art collection.

Day 7, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge - Poppy Fields 2 painting

Miniature art trading card

ACEO 13 - Landscape Poppy Fields 2

2.5 by 3.5 inch 

gouache on watercolour paper

This painting is SOLD

A small painting of the Provence poppy fields in gouache.

ACEOs are small works of art measuring 2.5x3.5inch. They are an excellent and affordable way to start an art collection.

Day 6, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

ACEO 3 - Abstract 1 miniature art

2.25x3.25 inch

Acrylic monoprint on 300g watercolour paper

Available for purchase 12€, including postage

In December I had a brief foray into monoprinting, something I had never tried before. It wasn't very successful as I didn't really know what to do. I used acrylic on a piece of glass and mixed the paint about making marks using a stick for some of the prints. Some were more successful than other, but I need to work more on the thickness of the paint and the type of paper.

On some I obviously used too much paint resulting in 'ridges' on the print. On a second look, I felt these ridges gave some nice textures. I took out my ACEO template out and placed it over the monoprint in various places. The results were surprising, with some really nice compositions appearing. You can guess what happened next - so be prepared to see more of these monoprint ACEOs.

See HERE for yesterday's ACEO

Day 5, 30 paintings in 30 days January 2014 challenge

ACEO 1 - White Daisies

2.25x3.25 inch

Mixed media on 300g watercolour paper

(Watercolour, neocoloor 11 and oil pastels)

This must be one of the tiniest paintings I have ever done. I find it difficult to paint small and struggle with 4"x4" so this was a challenge.

I started a still life in oils on my usual 7"x10" canvas panel, but the light was so bad, even with a daylight lamp, I couldn't see if I had the form and colours correct. I have been meaning to try some ACEOs for a while, so I dug out some paper covered in a watercolour wash done some time ago and experimented. I had no preconceived plan and used the first thing that came to hand - a tin of Neocolour watersoluble crayons. I finished it off with a white oil pastel as the highlights were not very bright.

An Aside
I often cover watercolour paper with a wash but then hit a blank wall of what to paint. It is almost as though I have a fear of spoiling the lovely mingling of colours that happen magically on the paper. 

What are ACE0's?
ACE0's are a great way of collecting miniature art.
They are miniature pieces of art that measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2". If a small piece of art has different measurements than this, it does not qualify as an ACEO.
The acronym "ACEO" stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They can be original art, print editions or photographs.