February 2000

Roman G. Frantela

Roman G. Frantela started using Liquitex Acrylics in 1976 as a fine arts student after developing an allergy to all oil base pigments and solvents. Roman chose Liquitex Acrylics due to their consistent quality, compatibility with water and other acrylic compounds, brilliant warm and cool colors, market availability, and very reasonable pricing.

Roman's paintings come to life through a variety of different painting techniques. First, he applies three coats of Liquitex Gesso on the back side of the canvas and lets it dry for about two hours. Then he wets the front side of the canvas thoroughly with water using a sponge. While the canvas is very wet, Roman applies Liquitex acrylic colors with a very wet brush to create the basic forms needed to build the general layout of the painting. He suggestes, however, that "before putting anything on the canvas, take your time in planning your subject, conceptualizing the techniques to employ in creating the general layout using colors, forms, texture, and focal point."

Depending on subject matter or theme, Roman creates different effects by controlling the drying time of the Liquitex Acrylic colors using a heavy duty hair dryer. He can overlap designs, forms and colors this way and waiting time is tremendously shortened.

After the entire picture is done and completely dry, Roman sands the surface very lightly with a very fine sandpaper and wipes the surface clean with a dry cotton white cloth. After the surface is free of debris he finishes it with a coat of Liquitex satin finish. Roman suggests that he gets better results if he uses two coats of Liquitex satin finish emulsion/varnish.

When asked to share some personal studio tips, Roman suggests:

-Always start on a squeaky clean workplace to prevent debris or contaminations on your artwork.

- Better quality work can be produced by using quality acrylic brushes - disard the old ones.

- When using wet on wet or any technique that involves using a lot of liquid on the canvas, it is best to lay the canvas flat on a work table.

- Always have a roll of heavy duty paper towels or a sponge in case you need to control bleeding of colors.

-Ninety percent of the painting is preparation.

EXHIBITIONS:

- 1998 Group Show, Rodriguez Studio Gallery, Soho, New York City - Invitational

- 1986 Group Show, U.S. - Japan Arts Fair, Yukosuka, Japan - Invitational

- 1985 Heritage Art Gallery, Metro Manila, Philippines

- 1983 Metro Gallery, Metro Manila, Philippines

- 1982 Commercial Bank and Trust Co., Metro Manila, Philippines

- 1981 Philippine National Bank Annual Arts Show - Juried

- 1980 Shell Oil Corporation (Phils.) Annual Art Competition - Juried

- 1979 Group Show, Cultural Center Philippines Curated by Hernando Ocampo - Invitational

- 1978 Annual Printmakers Exhibit Manila - Sponsored by Printmakers Association of Mania, Philippines - Invitational

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:

- Metro Manila Commission

- Cultural Center - Philippines

- Malacanang Palace, Manila, Philippines

CORPORATE COLLECTIONS:

- Shell Oil Corporation (Phils.)

- Philippine National Bank

- Comtrust Corporation Makati, Philippines

- Hizon Laboratories, Metro Manila

- Hernandez Group of Companies, Metro Manila

- J. Bautista & Associates, Architcts & Engineers, Metro Manila, Philippines

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