International-selling artist Jen Dixon works mostly in mixed media abstract and figurative painting. She is also an illustrator, writer, paints sets for a local theatre company and teaches weekly life-drawing group classes at Wooda Farm in Crackington Haven, North Cornwall. She has been a working muralist, corporate display artist for former national retail giant Musicland Group (US), and a commissions painter.
Originally from Indiana, she is an American and British citizen, living on the North Cornwall coast of England. Jen led her first art classes at the age of 6, and carried on with art throughout her school days by selling pencil portraits and sign-painting for local businesses. She taught art to young teens before heading off to achieve a degree in Industrial Design from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
Jen Dixon uses Jackson’s Picture Varnishes to protect her paintings and to achieve the finish she desires.
Jackson’s Picture Varnishes
by Jen Dixon
For me, the scariest but most exciting part of painting is the varnishing stage. The majority of my work is abstract using a lot of bold colours and layering. I found that a pure matt varnish wasn’t doing the depth of colour any justice so I switched to Jackson’s own brand varnishes, and by mixing the matt and gloss together, I can create just the right formula for each work. I’m typically making a kind of satin finish out of mostly matt with a hit of the gloss- perhaps even up to thirty percent gloss. It really helps bring out blues and blacks, which can flatten so much under pure matt.
Artist Jen Dixon uses
Jackson’s Picture Varnishes
mixed 2/3 matt + 1/3 gloss
to get the finish she wants.
I find the Jackson’s own varnishes brush out to a better finish than the big name brand I was using (W&N), and I like being able to affordably customise the outcome. I’d also recommend using Zest-It Solvent to clean up; it’s non-toxic and does a better job than harsh chemicals at getting a varnish brush clean and soft again. It’s so versatile and is a must have for my studio.
Image at top is by Jen Dixon.
‘Camden Lanterns‘
Oil and pencil on 36″ x 28″ canvas.
Jen Dixon’s website
Jen Dixon on Facebook
@JenDixonarts on Twitter
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