Cinnamon Pink

Clear Tar Gel

 

Image from Dick Blick site

I've been hearing more and more about artists using Clear Tar Gel in their paintings. So I was interested in the Artists Network post on Acrylic Painting Technique: Using Clear Tar Gel written by Tesia Blackburn.

Tesia says, "The gel is the perfect medium for creating long lines on a surface. It’s also an ideal medium to add to your paints for creating texture. Clear tar gel can also be painted in layers to create skins that you can then use as collage elements for your art....The gel dries to a high-gloss finish, making it an ideal medium to achieve a resin-like surface on your paintings."

Check out the complete post where Tesia offers tips on potential problems and solutions when working with this medium. I guess here is another product that I will have to put on my art supply purchase list.

 

 

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Pastels & Unused Art Supplies

I was rummaging through the art supplies on my shelf when I came across my Charvin Paris Water-Soluble Pastel Painting Sticks (24 colors). The sticks are in pristine condition - never used.

If you dabble in many mediums like me, you probably have new, unused art supplies in your studio too. Well, I want to begin working with the pastels. The colors are so gorgeous! I found a post on About (Painting) on Basic Techniques for Pastels. The post is presented in 8 slides but you can view the information on one screen.

What new unused art supplies do you have hidden away in your studio?

Tackling Barriers to Creative Habits

I came across another great post on the Sketchbook Skool blog entitled: Making Time: Tackling Barriers to Creative Habits.

Here are just a few of the points that caught my interest:

• "Allow yourself to crash on the couch after work. Have a basket with your art supplies right next to the couch so everything you need is within reach."

• "Make yourself comfortable. Whether it is at the kitchen table or a cozy spot on the couch with a lap-desk or clipboard."

• "Try to remember how much better you feel when you draw. No one ever sat down and felt worse after making a drawing."

Lots of good ideas here. Make sure that you read the complete article.

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Art Tips from Jerry's Artarama

While doing a search on another art subject, I came across this interesting page from Jerry's Artarama on Quick Tips to Help You with Your Projects. Here are just a few of the helpful ideas from customers and staff:

• "When I want to do straight vertical lines for things like sail boat lines I use an expensive pizza cutter - for oils and acrylics. Thin the paint the same way you would for using your liner brush (medium) until it is an ink-like consistency and then roll your pizza cutter through it - then roll it on the canvas. It keeps your halyard lines straight! - Shara , Sandy Hook, VA"

• "For watercolor painting, most people use sable brushes. But you can also use synthetic brushes like Taklon, that are marketed as acrylic painting brushes. They can create a nice, crisp line that isn't always achievable with sable, as well as a variety of other strokes and effects. - Hannah, Chattanooga, TN"

• "Having trouble with the caps on your paint tubes getting stuck and hard to open? Place a small square of saran wrap over the tube before replacing the cap, it keeps the paint from drying on the inside of the cap and sticking to the tube. Much easier opening! - Meredith, Tarboro, NC"

Grab a cup of coffee and take some time to read the other tips too for more handy ideas.

Getting Unstuck

Image from the Sketch Book Skool blog

I saw this cool  infographic - created by Koosje - on the Sketch Book Skool blog. The quote comes from Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Big Magic.

I definitely agree with the concept of Combinatory Play.

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Start Three Paintings at Once

Via Artists Network, I came across some good advice from artist Jo Toye about the wisdom of Starting Three Paintings at Once.

Jo says, "Psychologically, having several paintings waiting for you helps to draw you back out to the studio. There’s a certain energy and momentum that builds while working on a painting that dissipates with its completion.....Having another painting waiting for you after completing one tends to lesson the inertia you may experience that prevents you from traveling that long distance (often a hall or simply a doorway) back to the studio."

Recently, I was working on two paintings at one time and enjoyed the process. Next time, I'm going to take Jo's advice and create three paintings at once. What do you think? Do you like to create multiple paintings? You can cut the risk by beginning your experiment with small canvases.

 

33 Ways to Boost Creativity from Greatist

 

Need to pump up your energy on this chilly Monday? Check out the ideas from Greatist on 33 Surprising Ways to Boost Creativity for Free. Here are a few of the tips that caught my interest:

"Get Someone Else's Opinion: Don't be afraid to ask for help. A friend might mention something that sparks a whole new stream of thought. The more ideas and perspectives, the better."

"Try Something New: Doing things out of habit tends to undermine creative thought; on the other hand, novelty-seeking is associated with creativity (and overall well-being). Even something as simple as taking a new route to work or experimenting with a cool recipe counts."

"Make a Creativity Room: Designate a physical space for creativity in the house and include objects related to hobbies, mementos from favorite memories, and vision boards featuring possible projects. Not enough space? Try a "creativity corner" in a single room. That way, says Mark Banschick, M.D., the brain will get into the habit of being creative every time we’re in that area."

Check out the complete article for more great ideas.

 

100 Famous Artists and Their Studios

Image from BoredPanda site - Studio of Francis Bacon

Via BoredPanda, here is a post on 100 Famous Artists and Their Studios. Note: The images are quite large.

The introduction of the article reads, "A good studio for an artist is a very important place. Our creative studios might sometimes look like a pile of rubbish or a mixed-up room, but this is where great creations are born!"

I think that the studio of Francis Bacon gives new meaning to the words mixed media art. How does your studio look?

 

Abstract Painting: Metropolis

Here's another abstract art painting (8" x 10") that I just finished entitled, Metropolis. I added quite a bit of layers to the buildings. Some of the papers were created from magazine pages and citra-solv.

I still need to add some graphite details.

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Abstract Art: Town Center

I just finished this abstract art painting using collage scraps and acrylic paints. I finished the painting off with a coating of varnish to bring out the colors.

Acrylic Glazing Experiment

Yesterday, I was working on some abstract acrylic paintings. At the end of the session, I had a leftover mixture of Liquitex Glazing Medium and Golden Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold. I painted this glaze over a Hermitage Museum & Gardens postcard.

I really like the results which you can see in the top photo. I think I may try this paint mixture over found papers, collage ephemera and black & white images.

Techniques from Watercolor Painting Site

Image from the Watercolor Painting site

Via the Watercolor Painting site, I discovered a wealth of Watercolor Painting Techniques.

There's lots to see on this site so take some time to explore. You may find your next idea for a painting here.

 

Experimenting with Matte Medium & Watercolor Paints

Originally, this was an Anthropologie catalog page of drab black & white flowers. 

I decided to experiment in my art journal. First, I covered the (glued down page) with matte medium. After it dried, I mixed watercolor paints with matte medium to colorize the image. For the best results, I painted on thin layers of the mixture. The latter tended to dry out very quickly.

Next, I plan to highlight the flowers with colored pencils. I like how the experiment turned out and plan to try working with other black & white images. I did notice that this technique works best with heavier paper, not bond-type paper.

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Part of My Heart: Book Review

I recently won a cute little book, from KidLit411, entitled Part of My Heart. The book is written by Mike Sundy and illustrated by Sansu. 

This sweet tale gently tells of the evolution of a baby heart - and the love that the parents have for their little one. Simple but endearing illustrations will definitely appeal to young readers. 

The story wraps up with a satisfying ending by coming full circle to suggest that baby heart will one day have a baby heart too. I believe this book that would make a calming bedtime - and good night tale - for preschoolers.

Abstract Art Painting Tips from Empty Easel

Since I've recently been creating abstract art paintings, I enjoyed reading this Empty Easel post on: Seven Ideas to Help Plan Your Next Abstract Artwork. The article is written by Gail A. Stivers.

In Gail's own words, here are a few of her ideas that caught my interest:

• "Get a Visual - This is where my love of Pinterest and PowerPoint come in. Start with a visual or two that interest you....Then use PowerPoint, or a similar program, to change, adapt, cut and paste to get an idea to your liking."

• "Start with an Underdrawing - I am an acrylic artist, so I often like to create a full watercolor crayon underdrawing before I start painting. It’s just easier to see what the end piece might look like, and decide if you need to adapt your ideas."

• "Throw Down Some Texture -  I love the use of texture, so sometimes I just start there. Put down any kind of texture, then scratch, stamp and play with it! Once it’s dry, I brush on a simple wash, and let the paint show me what to do next. At this point, it is easy to add other color, more texture, or scrape/sand off what you don’t need."

Check out out Gail's other great tips and then start painting.