In The Studio
April 6, 2024 at 10:27 am | Posted in Art Studio | Leave a commentTags: acrylic on canvas, acrylics, Artist's working process, Caran d’Ache Neocolor II, paint palette
As you can see, I don’t use a traditional palette for mixing acrylic paint. Those wood kidney shaped ones with all the colors neatly arranged on them are a wonder to me, so neat and organized. However, they feel small and restrictive to work on. The paint saver palettes that are covered in a box, ones with little round or square wells, the paper palettes, plastic ones, I’ve tried them all. This palette is a 21”x23” rectangle of thick framing glass that was handy. Using duck tape on the edges worked well (why is it named after a bird?). The glass sheet sits on top of white paper that has the circle outline of a color wheel, just in case. I considered using a neutral gray paper underneath as a color grounding element but opted for white instead as a mixing background. The glass allows me to scrape paint off easily since acrylic dries fast, even with extenders. Best of all, there is lots of working room. Speaking of wonders, how about the photos you see of artists painting in nice clothes, that is, with not a speck of paint on them. Often, they are shown sitting at an easel in a living room or such, sometimes on a wood floor or beautiful rug. I’m not one of those either. I feel fortunate to emerge from the studio with no paint in my hair or on my teeth.
The collages are ongoing but recently I started another 48” abstract landscape painting also, feeling the need to hold a brush. Using Caran d’Ache Neocolor II Aquarelles, I begin with a loose drawing of the composition with the color scheme mostly thought out. But things always change during the process…
p.s. see the floor. LOL.
Food Glorious Food!
September 18, 2009 at 11:19 am | Posted in Art Exhibitions | Leave a commentTags: acrylics, Arts Council of Kern, Golden Empire Gleaners
TIME: 5pm – 7pm
Art Studio Approach
August 17, 2009 at 9:43 pm | Posted in Art Studio | Leave a commentTags: acrylics, art mediums, Art Studio, brush cleaner, cleaning acrylic brushes, oil paint, paint brushes, paint palette, repurpose, working methods
What does an artist’s working space look like? I’ll be posting some more shots of the studio here. This is the steel rolling cart that holds brushes on top and paints underneath, and it’s where I mix colors.
Many of the brushes in the background are for oil paint. Yes, there are separate brushes for each medium. Love your brushes-take care of them. Good ones are pricey and using them is like playing a beautiful instrument; there is no off-key twang, just harmony and control as you sculpt paint with them. Even less expensive brushes can last a long, long time with care.
In my younger days, I’d let paint dry on brushes. Even after cleaning them, pushing those around on the canvas later was like wading through gritty mud. No matter what hand-eye control there was to muster, the brush could not respond fully.
Let me say it again. Love your brushes!
In working with acrylics, I use a sheet of framing glass on top of a piece of white paper as a palette (it’s actually white palette paper so there’s a coating on it, water doesn’t soak through if it gets sloshed). The white paper gives good contrast for mixing colors. Acrylics dry quickly so I cover them with reused plastic snack cups and just pull out a bit at a time. That way, I can mix a good amount and it’s usually good to go the next day also.
The three jars are filled with water for cleaning the brushes: first wipe off excess paint; swish off excess paint in water; rinse, and rinse again. It’s become automatic between colors or when switching brushes. At the end of the painting session, the brushes are washed with “the Masters” brush cleaner and preserver soap.
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A Passion for Creativity 