Mediums used; puffy paint, PVA, acrylic, ink and oil pastel over cartridge paper.
I had decided to create a toad skin sample to further relate and elevate the environment of which some of my earlier and current subjects may reside in. ie. 'The Moth.' and 'The Beetle.' relief prints, the air dry clay impressions, dried flowers and planned photography shoots. Alongside being a subject associated with the environment, I wanted to further experiment with my choice of medium, using mediums which initially retract away from each other harmonise as one over this somewhat "grim" skin patterning and discolour. Application of all mediums worked quite well, aside from the oil pastel, I had to experiment between how hard to push the pigment into the puffy paint without breaking or cracking it. Watering down both acrylic and ink had resolved this issue as it delved into the majority of the whites left within the raised surfaces, though some elements of the design were abraded and perhaps not pleasing to look at, I found this to be complimentary and accurate to the proposed subject.
Toads are traditionally negative symbols, commonly viewed as demonic creatures, often magical yet evil. In many legends, toads feature as the guardian of riches and treasures, the transformation from tadpole to maturity renders the toad a frequent symbol of resurrection and rebirth. Of course I have created this tactile piece with the connotations of the latter in mind.
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