Storing and Drying My Paintings

I've been looking for a drying rack to store my paintings.  I was appalled at the prices I was seeing at my local art shop and over the Internet.  Something so simple, yet so expensive!

I knew there was an alternative.  I went to my local Staples and look what I found:

My new drying rack and only $12!

It's a file sorter.  Eleven slots to be exact.  It looks so nice on my table.  It's also functional!  Notice something funning at the base?  Yes, that is a folded paper towel.  The file sorter needs to be propped up.  Still a great find at a great price!

A New Easel and a New Painting (WIP)

I started another pear study.  This time in brown.  I'm still using the Holbien paints.  I'm getting spoiled.  I don't think I can go back to the W&Ns.  I didn't get to finish this study in one sitting as we ended up opening our presents and then had to get ready to go over to my sis-in-law's house for dinner.   

I ended up placing my mixed palette and my brushes in a Masterson Air-Tight Palette Seal.  I snapped the blue cover all around and I'm hoping the paints and brushes will remain moist until I'm ready to paint again...hopefully in the next two days or so.   I will report back the results later.  

I think I'm going to call this painting 'Chocolate Pears'.  My palette looks like a range of dark chocolate to milk chocolate.  Yummy!

Chocolate Pears on my new easel

My hubby bought me a floor standing easel for Christmas!  While I was painting upstairs, he was downstairs putting it together.  There was an included leaflet that contained diagrams of the easel, but no instructions.  He mentioned it was a bit tricky.  He did a great job!

Now, I have two places to paint.  Here in the main level, there is plenty of daylight I would like to take advantage of.  So, I think I'll paint here during the weekends (in the corner between two windows).  I'll be able to use my large glass palette (pre-cut glass from Home Depot) for the larger canvas.  

My new Mabef H-frame easel!

I'm looking forward to another long weekend to paint!

My Grisaille Study...Pears & Using New Paints

I've been spending some time doing research on underpaintings.  I've read that beginners should learn to paint the indirect method or grisaille versus the direct method (alla prima).  I haven't been too happy with the results of my direct method painting.  I decided a new adventure was in order.  I do enjoy challenges.

I spent four hours today in painting bliss.  I turned on the radio and dialed into a local classical music station.  I got into my painting zone and had some fun.  Here's the result after four hours and eight paint brushes later:

Pear Study (WIP)

I am quite happy with the results.  At the last minute, I decided to try out my new Holbien Duo Aqua Oils. Out of the tube, the paint was buttery and consistent across the colors.  The Ultramarine blue had some excess oil as it came out of the tube.  No worries.

I started out using my normal W&N Artisan Yellow Ochre mixed with a bit of thinner to create a light wash.  I did a quick sketch on the canvas paper taped to a hard board:

Quick sketch with a yellow ochre wash

I painted in the values for the pears as well as setting up the background:  

Painting the gray values on the pears

I continued painting the values for the background:

Painted background values

I blended the values on the pears:  

Here's my palette of colors.  I used Ceramic White, Ultramarine Blue, and Burnt Umber.  I mixed the Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber to get a dark gray color.  Then I added white for the next two values.

I really enjoy using the artist quality Holbien Duo Aqua Oils.  Used straight out of the tubes, they mixed well.  Consistent creamy/buttery feel.  I noticed I was getting better coverage on my canvas paper with the Holbien versus the W&N Artisan paints I've been using.


Life is good!

Lukas Berlins

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to paint another picture.  This time I used my new Lukas Berlins water miscible oils.  I was in for a surprise!  I used the primary colors and I have to admit the colors were brilliant and vibrant.  I squeezed the colors out of the tubes and they were very creamy like butter not just from one tube, but from all the tubes.  I also used Titanium White and it was just as buttery.  I used the paint straight out of the tubes and they mixed beautifully on my palette.  It's going to take me awhile to get used to working with creamy oils, especially after working with the somewhat stiff W&N Artisan oils.  


My hubby brought home a box of apples.  I picked 3 apples and arranged them on a plate.  I had about two hours to paint and I felt rushed and I feel my painting is so-so.  I need to finish the background and will call it done.  I need to remember, I'm still in learning mode and my paintings are practice paintings and a work in progress.  


I'll be back to post a picture later this week.  

Three Pears Pencil Sketch

I thought I was finished with this pencil sketch until a brilliant artist/friend of mine suggested I "up" the contrast a bit.  The more I look at my sketch the more it appears to...not stand out as much as I thought.  The pears are not popping out of the paper.  I'm seeing a pattern here.  This appears to be the same problem I'm having with my paintings.  Not enough contrast.  Not enough "ooompf".

I need to dig out my "soft" pencils or the "B" range and redo parts of my sketch.

I just hope I don't overwork the sketch.  I suppose the worst case scenario...I get to do another one.  Just means more sketching/drawing time for me.  Sweet!

Water Miscible Oil Paints (WMOs)

When the thought of painting with oils popped into my head, I knew this would be an interesting adventure for me.  I had visited a studio in Old Town and watched several artists painting with oils.  I was intrigued, captured, and just in awe of their masterpieces.  I noticed there were various levels of skills.  A few artists invited me closer to inspect their work of art and told me their stories.  They invited me to sign up for the classes/workshops (waiting list).  At that point, I felt like I was surrounded by an extended family.  That was a wonderful experience for me.

If I was to get into oil painting, I knew there would be some "issues" to deal with.  I've heard about mediums or thinners that have strong odors and could potentially be a fire hazard (e.g. using rags for clean up).  My designated studio area is part of the living area in our house and it would be hard to ventilate/open windows in the middle of winter.

I did some research over the Internet and came up with a solution...Water Miscible Oils or WMOs.  Also known as Water Mixable Oils.  I won't be going into details about the chemical makeup of these oils, but I do want to mention that these oils are great to paint with and also easy to clean up.  WMOs are made from modified binders and with the resulting formula there is no need to use turpentine or mineral spirits.  They say you can mix water with these oil paints, but I prefer not to.  Instead I use the modified Linseed oil or Thinner from the same manufacturer for the WMOs.  No harmful fumes to deal with.  The WMOs handles and paints just like traditional oil paints.

I am currently using Winsor and Newton's Artisan WMOs.  Some artists say these are student grade paints while others consider them to be close to artist grade.  I've seen reference to being economically priced...which they are.  I bought a set of these at Michael's to try out.  Thank goodness for coupons.  The set came with basic colors.  I've learned to use the three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) and then mix them to create the other colors.  I also purchased the Artisan Thinner.  I'm glad I did.  I have found certain colors to be quite stiff right out of the tubes.  Mixing the stiff paint with a bit of thinner creates a creamier mixture.

The Artisan paint colors that are stiff out of the tubes are:  Titanium white, Zinc white, and Lemon Yellow.  Typically when I mix another color that is creamy with the stiff paint, the mixture becomes creamy as well.

They dry to the touch within 2 to 12 days depending on the colors used.

As I mentioned before, clean up is really easy.  I use Palmolive Clear dishwashing soap to clean my brushes and my acrylic palette and rinse with warm water.

My well used W&N Artisan WMOs come in 40 colors (England)

Another brand of WMO is Cobra by Royal Talens, recently introduced in 2010.  I purchased a set on sale.  I've heard these are artist grade paints and are consistently creamy out of the tubes.  They are probably in the mid-range as far as price.  

Cobra by Royal Talens in 70 colors (Dutch)

Here is the most expensive WMOs...Holbien Duo Aqua Oils.  To my surprise, I found these at my local art shop.  I first saw them online and have found many artists love using the Holbiens.  They are considered artist/professional grade paints with high pigment content.  Out of the tube, I've read they are buttery and consistent.  They dry in about 24 hours.  I really believe that depends on the colors used and if mixed with modified linseed oil.  I think it would dry a bit longer than advertised.  I couldn't resist picking up a few tubes to try.  It doesn't hurt to try, right?

Holbien Duo Aqua Oils available in 80 colors (Japan)

Now, for the not so expensive paints, I present Lukas Berlin.  Dries to touch in 2 to 4 days.  I've heard mixed reviews as to whether they are student or artist grade paints.  They have a buttery texture consistently out of the tube.  For the price, I have to give them a try.  As far as availability, I've found these at Jerry's Artarama.

Lukas Berlin WMOs available in 30 colors (Germany)

I will be updating this post from time to time as I start to use these brands of WMOs and provide comments, likes, dislikes, and recommendations.

Canvas Paper/Pads

I've found a fabulous oil painting support to practice on.  It's canvas paper/pads.  I have quite a bit of experience with the Canson Canva-Paper as this has been my primary support for several small studies.  I've purchased the 12x16 pad size and cut the sheets down to size:  5x7s and 8x10s.  I can actually use a cutting board to cleanly cut the sheets of paper.  Any odd-sized shape scraps are used for documenting colors used in a painting so I can re-create the colors at a later time.  I also use them to paint test colors I mix before committing them to the real painting.


This Canson Canva-Paper is fairly stiff (136 lb paper) and has "the look and feel" of cotton canvas imprinted on the paper.  I like using this paper because of the stiffness and once I've completed a painting I can leave it on a display easel without the paper sagging or curling.

Before I start to paint, I mount the Canva-Paper on a hardboard.  Any firm/stiff board can be used for the backing.  To keep the paper from moving around, I tape the paper down using blue painter's tape.  This tape also helps where I can freely paint to the edges and not get any paint on the hardboard backing.  As you can see, I've used this painter's tape before on another painting project.  I just turned the tape around so the clean side is touching the new project.  

After a few days and when the painting is dry to touch, I gently peel off the blue tape.  I can then leave the painting on a display easel to dry further.  

Another "canvas pad" that I've purchased, but not have used yet is Fredrix.  I can't call this paper as it actually feels like true cotton canvas.  When I lifted the first sheet on the pad, it felt like cloth.  The sheets are not stiff, but flexible.  I guess I should not have been that surprised as the word "paper" is not mentioned/advertised on the pad.  Instead, it reads "genuine artist canvas".  I purchased a huge 16x20 pad at my local Michael's (w/coupon) and had to literally hand cut a canvas sheet down to four 8x10s.  Sharp scissors worked nicely.  

I'm undecided how I'm going to mount this canvas before I start to paint on it.  I've heard other artists use a hardboard (e.g. 8x10) and glue the canvas to the board.  I may have to try that.  This Fredrix Canvas Pad will be a good alternative to use after I graduate from using the canvas paper.

Here's paper cutter similar to the one I use to cut my Canson Canva-Paper:  

Learning to Look at Other Paintings

While I feel comfortable with painting my objects, I do feel a bit uncomfortable painting the backgrounds.  Most likely from lack of experience.  When I used to paint with water colors, I never learned to paint backgrounds.  The focus was to paint the objects.  When I do sketches and drawings, again, I'm drawing objects.

While visiting local art galleries and perusing through paintings on the Internet, I've been making mental notes of backgrounds.  What makes sense (highlights, colors, values, etc) and what doesn't to me.

Before I start my future paintings, I need to start planning and visualizing in my mind how the object and the background will play together.  What colors will I be using and will there be any highlights and shadows.  After I paint/sketch my rough outlines, I need to start painting the background first and then paint my objects.  Mental notes I need to remind myself to do.


Note:  I did receive my supplies from Jerry's and it arrived around lunch time!  Sweet!

Ordered Lots of Supplies

Jerry's Artarama was having a special this past weekend.  I took advantage of the additional discounts on paint supplies and ordered brushes, oil paints, and tools.  The savings was close to 50-60% off retail.  I couldn't resist.  It wasn't too hard to meet the minimum $ requirement for free shipping.  My cart filled up quickly.

As far as brushes, my favorite to use with the WMO paints is Robert Simmons Titanium.  The brushes have a lot of spring and keeps it shape/point.  I ended up getting some filberts, flats, flat shaders, rounds, and a glaze and a broad brush.  My favorite brush type to paint with are filberts and my least favorites are rounds.  To me, the filbert is a cross between a round and a flat brush.  Best of both worlds.

I ordered another brand of WMO called Lukas Berlins.  Their prices are really reasonable and I've heard their pigments are pretty good and somewhat creamy right out the tube.  I couldn't beat the under $3 a tube (37ml) price.  I ordered some colors that I didn't already have.  As with the other brands, I have also purchased the Lukas WMO Linseed Oil medium to complement the new oils I ordered.  Lukas was having a special.  Purchase four Lukas Berlin WMO paints and receive a free tube of White Titanium.  Jerry's is sending me three free tubes of White Titanium!

I ordered a paint crate to use as a backup as well as to use in another painting area of my house.

I also threw in two stainless steel palette knives to use with my glass palette for future use.  I also ordered a package of gray plastic palette knives to use with my acrylic palette.  Looking forward to trying them out.

I placed the order on Sunday afternoon.  I just received a notice from Jerry's that they shipped my package today and UPS will be delivering my supplies late tomorrow.  Not bad for free shipping!  I'm sure I would have received my package sooner if my order didn't include 34 items!  Yikes!

Happy Painting!

Painted Tonight...Christmas Candles

I did a quick painting tonight.  I ended up using 8 brushes to paint this small painting.

Yellow Ochre wash sketch

Painted in the dark value

Decided to paint the candles next

The finished painting...Christmas Candles

My palette.  The only color I did not use was the blue...which turned out blah!