Ernesto Apomayta offers Explanation of Mediums, Paints, & Techniques Used by Artists

Special Types of Mediums

Rice paper is a very delicate medium with lots of natural imperfections that lend beauty and character to the painting. Some rice paper has flecks, sparkle, gold, and silver incorporated within the paper. After painting, the rice paper is mounted to another sheet of rice paper to form a backing.

Silk fabric is used as a medium for painting. It comes in various colors such as white, gold and greenish gold. It is very durable, but difficult to paint on. The painter must have lots of patience. He must paint over and over with the natural inks to create depth and strength of color. The fabric tends to absorb color rapidly. Silk is a medium of the Royalty; it creates a background of softness and elegance to any painting.

Explanation of Natural Inks

The ancient people of Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans all used natural inks. The Chinese also have used natural inks for thousands of years. Natural inks are non toxic, versatile and can be used to create different effects on various mediums such as rice paper, silk, and cotton paper. The colors are brilliant and as varied as nature. Even today it is possible to see these brilliant natural inks still well preserved in ancient artifacts of Central, South America, and Asian Countries such as China and Japan.

Paintings with natural inks can last for 1000's of years. Natural inks are very color fast and resistant to the sun and water. Even if a painting with natural inks gets wet, the inks will not run. The black inks are prepared from the carbon of pine trees that are 400 to 500 years old mixed with distilled water and a binding agent. The color pigments are made from various insects or parts of plants like the bark or flowers of plants. For example, one type of red ink and turquoise ink are made from different parts of cacti. The use of natural inks revives an ancient tradition of many world cultures. The natural inks create dynamic and colorful pieces of art work that will hold their color and beauty for years to come.

Styles of Paintings

Ernesto Apomayta uses numerous styles and techniques in his paintings. True to the symbols/calligraphy of the Incans and the calligraphy of the Chinese he paints with the movements, order, balance, and rhythms of these writing techniques. Some are with broad strokes and openness of movement while others are fine detailed lines but all honor the rules of calligraphy and the concepts of Feng Shui. On some his brush may carry more than one color to create a blend of colors. All of the colors he uses are mixed by him from the five basic core colors of the color palate.

Some of his techniques are based on ancient techniques that he has revived in his paintings. Many of the birds, flowers, and butterflies are painted with what he calls a high "stress technique" which is done by layering transparent paint over and over to create depth and dimension. Later with a very fine brush the tiny detail is painted. This technique is very time consuming but the result is unbelievably beautiful.

Other paintings are abstracts that express a spiritual message and the beauty and harmony of nature while leaving it up to the mind to interpret the message.

Copyright: © 2004 by Ernesto Apomayta

Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.

About The Author

Ernesto Apomayta - Born and raised in Puno, Peru, Ernesto Apomayta was identified as an artistic prodigy at the tender age of five. As a boy, Apomayta was first influenced and inspired by the natural marvels surrounding the humble home he shared with his family. In close proximity to shimmering Lake Titicaca, the striking beauty of the Andes and the awe-inspiring Incan ruins of his ancestors, Apomayta was spiritually compelled to express his wonder visually through his paintbrush. A direct ancestor of the legendary photographer, Martin Chambi, Apomayta derived inspiration from the same native influences and his legacy that encouraged Apomayta to fulfill his own artistic destiny.

To view many of Ernesto Apomayta's pieces of artwork please visit www.apomaytaart.com for full information on Mr. Apomayta.

apomayta@hotmail.com

---

Native American Astrology: The Hawk (March 21 - April 19)

The Hawk is the first sign of the Native American... Read More

Mexican Living: Daily Schedule of an Expatriate

I was wondering if you might be interested in what... Read More

Native American Indian Art Wood Carvings of the Pacific Northwest

Native American Indian art in the American southwest is dominated... Read More

Medieval Siege Weaponry: Castle Walls Beware

Medieval siege weaponry was required in any self-respecting war leader's... Read More

Human Cultural Evolution

If we think about it at this juncture, clearly there... Read More

Ernesto Apomayta offers Explanation of Mediums, Paints, & Techniques Used by Artists

Special Types of MediumsRice paper is a very delicate medium... Read More

Art, Artists, and the Web: Part 1--Why Every Artist Should Have Their Own Website

First rate art is in danger of being left behind... Read More

Precious Stones - The Big Five: Part 2, The Ruby

What fairy tales of enchanted princesses and legendary lore of... Read More

Better Red than Dead!

Red, perhaps the first color our eyes perceive.It is said... Read More

Archaeology and Spirit Guides

One of the northern derivatives of Hopewell of interest to... Read More

Brazil--Comments by a Gilliam Fan a Little Too Late

Either I am one of the darkest people ever or... Read More

Druidic University

MEGALITHIIC POWER PLANTS:Druidic University:Long before there was a Rome or... Read More

Jewelry and the Darkside: Fashionable Gothic Jewelry

No, by jewelry and the darkside, we are not referring... Read More

Miss-story

Many 'fabulous' personages and concepts are created by man. Some... Read More

The Saga of Puffed Wheat Anderson, A Minnesota Legend

I have no idea how old I was when I... Read More

Ogham and Aymara

OGHAM:As any reader of my work knows by now, Ogham... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 1 Vlad Tepes (Dracula)

Vlad Tepes or Dracula was born in 1431, in the... Read More

Hello I Must Be Going: The Vanishing Twin

They walk among us. By the mid nineties, science had... Read More

Game Theory - What Do Game Theory and Improv Theater Have in Common?

"Game" TheoryThis article was inspired by Mick Napier's book ?Improvise:... Read More

Debussy and Gamelan According to a 150 Year Old Man

Hello!If you haven't been transported by the mesmerizing sounds of... Read More

Feng Shui and the Year of the Rooster - an Overview

Feng shui involves more than just colors and where you... Read More

Synchronized Swimming, Dolphin Cognition and Visualization

As humans become more technologically advanced and are able to... Read More

Learn How To Draw Faces Realistically

Drawing a face isn't as hard as it looks. To... Read More

Conceptual Art: Who Appreciates It?

Art is sometimes overwhelming. Life as a whole can become... Read More

Progress Versus Perfection

From the creative explosion marking the outset of the universe... Read More