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

---

Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Pentacles

There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in... Read More

Celtic Jewelry: Ancient Symbolism in Popular Fashion

The mysterious and the mystical have always had the power... Read More

The New Age Movement

What is the New Age Movement? It is similar to... Read More

Astrology Signs and Planets Reveal Who You Are

But people are starting to take a new look at... Read More

Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 1

Today there is a growing need to examine all our... Read More

Inuit Eskimo Art As Investments

Many people collect Inuit art as investments. Inuit art is... Read More

Shadows Boxing

Towards the end of Million Dollar Baby the character Scraps,... Read More

American Citizenship

Can We Pass The Test?American CitizenshipI'm the daughter of an... Read More

Hip-hop Jewelry and Todays Stars

Watch any of the major movie, television, and music award... Read More

The Contingencies of Despair: How Existentialists Survive

~ Dread is dizziness unto freedom-freedom that gazes down into... Read More

Egyptian Hanmde Galabeya (Galabia)

The Bedouin culture has a long history of beautiful costumes,... Read More

Christopher Columbus

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: - It seems a mystery to most academics... Read More

Welcome to the Mind Revolution: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Living Between the Points

What does it mean to live "between the points?" What... Read More

Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in ... Read More

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

Opal is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every... Read More

A Look at the Heart of American Beauty

Sam Mendes' darkly comic portrayal of suburbia in his first... Read More

Bits of Heritage, Whose Heritage

Change is the only inevitably constant aspect of life in... Read More

Archaeology and Spirit Guides

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

Saturn: Your Challenge to Become An Expert

The true meaning of Saturn is that he is the... Read More

The History of Thai Currency ? from Ancient Beads to Modern Baht

The history of Thailand currency traces the evolution of the... Read More

True Story; Why Can?t We all Just Get Along?

A little girl came up to her mom in the... Read More

Are You Embarassed by Your Civil War Uniform Impression?

"Authentic," "authentic," "authentic" is all you hear if you are... Read More

Flows of Civilization; Views from a Think Tank

Over the past few years we have been discussing many... Read More

Native American Art Thunderbird

The thunderbird has been one of the most dominant icons... Read More

How To Get Rich and Die Quick!

It is funny how web site promotion can suddently plunge... Read More

Bad Mouthing Fellow Authors

The creative mind is a gift to humanity; but unfortunately... Read More

At 60 plus Amitabh Bachchan Rules! - A Vastu Study

No words in this universe are enough to describe him,... Read More

Smart Art Investments - Buy What You Love!

Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways... Read More

The Western Cowboy

In the State of Texas the Western Cowboy can be... Read More

The Daily Show is a Must See on Comedy Central

Doesn't it seem that today there is nothing but bleak... Read More

Was there Always Bias in Journalism? Ask George Washington. Hell tell you

There is bias in the elite media! How often do... Read More

Humans are not special, hate to break it to you

I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More

The Masked Fool

The FoolMy first direct experience of the fool in masking... Read More