I have been busy with the oil paints again, but it means a much slower process, therefore I don’t get to post often, I have eight on the go, and four are a little different.
What do you do when you have run out of canvases? And no money to buy a new one. Well the answer was hiding in my back garden, behind a shrub, I had collected them over two years ago, and had completely forgotten about them….what you may wonder?
Slate tiles
I wanted to paint on something different, and had actually acquired some wood panels, they needed treating before I could use them, so I was looking for something else during the time the wood needed to dry. There they were, waiting patiently all this time, and I have to say they did not let me down, here is my first attempt.

‘The horse and the mouse’ Slate tile, oil painting 25cmx50cm
…wow. That is soooo beautiful!
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Thank you lance, makes me think of your miniatures painted on objects.
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You’re a girl after my own heart! This has worked out fantastically – beautiful painting! Seeing this just reminded me of some slates my parents used to have hung on chain (like a picture) of something painted – but I can’t remember what. Probably a horse, my mum’s horse mad.
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This was so enjoyable, although difficult to get detail compared to a canvas, as the slate pulls the oil in, giving less time to blend, but I will practice more, I have another horse, and of course a hare on the go. Well done to your mum, can’t go wrong with a horse❤️
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Of course, slate is a bit porous isn’t it…if I had a slate roof, I’d give this a go. And put a bucket under the hole!
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Yes it is more porous than I thought it would be.
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This is so wonderful moody, emotional and beautiful… love the feeling you’ve captured here. Such an interesting crop you’ve chosen… it’s just so cool! Love it!😍
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Thank you Charlie, it took a while deciding on the horse, and I rotated the photo many times before deciding that it could work, it is an odd shape to paint with for me. My hare in progress was much easier, just a couple of things to do before finished.
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That adds a very nice textural quality to the art. Very nice idea.
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Thank you czarsmom, it was different and enjoyable, I have more on the go.
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I agree with others – the texture give me the impression of a storm, a very pronounced mood and indeed influenced more by your painting. Cleverly done!
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Thank you Jacob, I wanted the horse to be natural, and in a state of movement, the unusual slate needed an unusual pose, rather than a normal portrait shot. Hopefully I will get some more photos of my friends Andalusian on the weekend, white seems to work better on the slate.
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Oh Rebecca…..you are just amazingly talented. Wow! ok, WOW again! What a stunner! This is the perfect pairing of medium, subject and surface. Well done!!! ❤
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Thanks Laura, I have been painting on a wood panel too, but not as successful, deciding how to do something right with it??? So happy with the slate, I did have to go over the horse a few times, although the oil dried so super quick, it absorbed so much that the dark colours were hard to see. I think I will do a few more for my table at the Hampshire open studio.
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Nice to find a surface the oil dries fast on, eh? For when you’re looking for that? Or are you ever looking for that?
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Oh I do love that it’s quick, it is slow enough to blend, but the next day it is completely dry, so if I missed a bit of blending it’s just tough, not a bad thing , because now it’s dry I can do a second layer, rather than waiting a week or two.
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Oh, great point. I guess all oil paints are totally opaque? I imagine none of them are transparent, like the acrylics?
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You can make them transparent by adding various mediums, great for layers….fat over thin, in both respects, fat meaning oils and thickness, thin as in thinners and thin layer, and each layer should be dry before next layer, or it will crack….oh?? I think I have got this right?
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Good to know! It will probably take some time for me to try oil paints, but I love the smell of the paint itself so much that I may not be able to resist!
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I like how you tagged this as erotic
…it certainly is with the glossy deep coloring and movement. Slate tiles and oil are perfect for this creation. Well done Rebecca and resourceful. 😊
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Lol, ooops that should be equine, I have now changed it, thanks for noticing Laura.
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LOL! Cynthia here!
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Oops sorry Cynthia, I was not concentrating…. Clearly I am neurotic, forget the erotic!! Lol I usually check mail throughout the day but we had taken our hospice patients out to a local garden to see the azaleas, and rhododendron, it was beautiful, I got home to over 100 mail messages, and kinda replied to all while watching to, eating tea, and thinking of what to put on a friends 50 th birthday card…..makes me wonder what other silly mistakes I have made yesterday evening….I hope I put the right name on her card?? I decided to chill with a watercolour dog, soon to have the addition of pastel if I get time today. I am actually feeling very frustrated at the lack of hours in the day, I am not sure how I can fit everything I want to do into the weekend. Sunday is out as I am doing a horse photo shoot, I have one day to ride, food shop, mow grass, vacuum house, second layer oil paint, x3, pastel on dog, paint a wood panel for prep of painting. I need to find a man to help, but I don’t even have time for that dating thing….I think I might have to train the dog instead, she would probably eat the food shopping, make more mess while vacuuming, and dig up the garden instead of mowing. Lol, have a great weekend, eagle eyed erotic spotter Cynthia 😉
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Rebecca, you are one busy lady there! What you plan to do on Sunday sounds like what most people do in a week! I do know what you mean about not having enough time. I have to do some writing work this weekend now and I’d love to do some gardening and paint as well as have quality time with loved ones. So let’s get on with it! Have a good horse photo shot and may you tick off all the things on your to-do list with ease.
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What a clever idea. True creativity at play here. I’m just beginning my art journey, and it’s amazing to realize how many different possibilities there are for expressing our thoughts and feelings. Anything can be made beautiful in the hands of an artist. I love not only the idea of painting on slate — which must have been so different from canvas — but the whole idea of the horse and the mouse. It’s truly beautiful, and the slate adds much to the mood.
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Thank you, and well done to have found art, it has so many paths, and many that cross paths, but as long as you enjoy the journey you will be smiling.
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I love it! It works really well x
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Thank you karen
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Just amazing. I absolutely love!
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Thank you Ranae.
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Great idea Rebecca! I discovered wood as my canvas medium.
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Thank you, and thank you for visiting my blog 😀
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