My First Beach Scene...A Work in Progress (WIP)

I painted my first beach scene.  Still a work in progress.

I really didn't feel like painting today, but I needed to put in some art time.  I thought I would just play with mixing colors.  My intent was to try to mix/create a turquoise color.  Once I did that, I got highly motivated to mix some other colors that reminded me of the Caribbean.  Then I grabbed a small 6x8 panel and started to paint.  Here's the result:

Beach Scene (6x8 panel/Lukas Berlin WMO)

I had a vision in my head.  I picked up my brushes and applied the paint to the blank canvas panel.  I could get use to this way of painting.

I used Lukas Berlin WMO for this beach scene:  Titanium White, Flesh Color, Ultramarine Deep, Primary Blue, and Permanent Green Light.  To create the turquoise color, I mixed the Primary Blue and Permanent Green Light.  Then I added some white to get the different shades.   For the sky, I used Ultramarine Deep and white.  For the beach I used Flesh Color and white.

I mounted the canvas panel to an old cardboard I had from a used up canvas paper pad. I rolled a few pieces of blue painter's tape and applied it to the cardboard.  I enjoy reusing stuff where I can.

For the next few days, I will let this painting dry.  Then I will start adding some details.

Spiderwort Painting and Lukas Berlin WMOs

For the last week or so, I've been looking for a subject to paint.  Mostly, I've been wanting to try out my new easel.  I looked through my photos and photo albums and finally came up with something floral...a Spiderwort picture I took several years ago.

I wanted to give my Lukas Berlin WMO paints another try.  Give it a real good test.  I also wanted to try a different painting technique.  Paint the background first and the subject last.

Here is the results of my three hours of painting:

The Lukas Berlin WMO paints are lovely to mix and paint with.  It's creamy right out of the tube.  I used Ultramarine Blue and Lemon Yellow to create the green values (dark, medium, and light).  I did notice that the Lukas colors appear to be brighter than the other paints I've used so far.  

Once the colors were mixed, I did notice that the mixture was still creamy, but slightly thick.  When I applied the paint to the canvas paper, I could tell the consistency was different than the more expensive Holbiens I used in my previous painting.  The Holbien paint mixture glides over the canvas paper without too much effort.  When I used the Lukas, I have to load a bit more paint on the brush to get that "glide" feel over the canvas paper.  There's definitely a difference in the feel of the paint.  Personally, I don't consider to be an issue.  I'm just happy that I'm not working with stiff paints.  

In this first painting session, I did not use any mediums (e.g. linseed oil or thinner).  This gives you an idea of how good this paint really is to work with.  

My green values

Painted the dark value first

Painted in the light value next

Painted in the medium value and then blended the colors

For the next painting session, I will start painting the flower.  I plan on using a Magenta Red color mixed with white to create the Pink values.  

A Science Project

I had some leftover mixed paint from my painting session today.  I could have thrown them away and mixed a new batch later in the week.  I decided on a science project.  I scraped the paints off my palette:

I placed each color on it's own piece of aluminum foil.  I folded over the foil to create a pocket and then sealed up the sides:

I placed the foil packets in a freezer zip-lock bag and placed the bag in my freezer:  

I will post back the results later this week.  

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.  

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.

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!