20 "Gotta Have It" Art Studio Tools

Got tabby? Always.

Happy Friday everyone! Recently AHA featured a podcast about "favorite artists products”—(I don’t know about you but I really love these “checklist”shows.) This show inspired me to look around the studio and share my own “must have” studio stuff.

These are “tried and true” tools (rather than brushes, knives, and paint) I keep near my easel and use almost every day. Most are fairly inexpensive and low tech. With a few exceptions...

My iPad is a splurge but honestly, it’s changed my art life. So here are 20 items that I at least for me make my creative life a little easier and more enjoyable--hope they help make your art life a breeze too!

1. iPad—holds my reference photos, paint from it, crop, watch art demos...
2. Joby iPad holder (Note this one is for original iPad)
3. Crank easels (old, new—Don’t get me started on the ratchet or sliding kind.)
4. Gray palette paper (like the mid tone and don’t care for glass)
5. Mini plastic spring clamps (assorted sizes)
6. Green Frog tape (varies widths—it’s a ruler on a roll!)
7. Large and small T-Square and rulers (great for quick canvas or paper gridding)
8. Saral transfer paper—especially the white/yellow—Just comes in handy
9. Big Sharpie and Post it Note Pad (good for supply notes, title ideas, etc.)
10. Rolling red taboret cart from Harbor Freight (see my post on taborets)
11. Red plastic value sheets (red acetate from art store)
12. Foam plates and foam brushes
13. Good old Kemper Wipe Out Tool (or similar)
14. Round grippy rubber jar opener (from dollar store, hardware, etc.)
15. Adjustable height rolling drafting chair (no arms)
16. Paper towels: Bounty (watermedia) and Viva (oil media)
17. Hand creams (Aveda, Skin Safer, and my new fav: Desert Essence Vanilla Chai--yummy!)
18. Winsor Newton Brush Cleaner (non toxic but powerful)
19. Old mats/frames for checking composition
20. And most importantly...A studio manager/muse. Mine are always striped and furry. 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check out the paintings from my YUPO workshop--Plan to post more YUPO paintings soon but this week I'm working on a large 3 panel oil painting commission. So I better grab some of these tools and get back to work!

Flying High with YUPO + Birds!

"Groovy Bird" watercolor and gouache on YUPO (9x12)--collection artist

I had a fantastic Saturday yesterday thanks to all the creative artists who attended my YUPO/bird painting workshop. Thank you again to the Heritage Fine Arts Guild for inviting me to share my passion for YUPO painting -as well as birds! A perfect painting match IMHO!

Much like my YUPO painting above, the workshop artists began with an abstract background using watercolors to which we added texture (stamping, stencils, lifting, salt, etc.). Many of the artists then worked their bird painting into their abstract painting. (I plan to post a step by step demo on this technique soon.)

Artist Sue rolled black gouache around her rooster shape--Love the colors and texture!

How sweet is this colorful hummingbird??

Beatrice working on her lovely snowy cardinal.

Since YUPO is "erasable" your subject can be developed using a positive or negative approach which yields really cool and unique effects. At the end of workshop we had at least 20 great paintings to show for our hard work. I wish I could post every one but here are just a few of the inspirational paintings that took flight! Awesome work ladies!

Great example of abstract with representational component. 

Anita added colorful leaf printing (from real ones) to her vibrant rooster--which looks great on YUPO!

A lovely jay on a really high energy background.

A gorgeous owl in progress--love all the color splatter!

Beautiful cool colors in Amber's abstract and texture painting.

My sincere thanks again ladies (guys you'd enjoy YUPO too!) for sharing your creative time with me on a Saturday!! I know your paintings will help to inspire other artists (as they did me) to give YUPO a try (or another chance!) the next time you want to "play" or just re-energize!

From Beignets to Gators: NOLA in November

Natchez Riverboat on the Mississippi

"New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.”  Mark Twain

Where have I been?? As a lifelong “Francophile” and artist one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit for as long as I can remember was New Orleans. Last week I had the very good fortune to get a first rate tour of such an amazing place from a good friend who was born there. If you happen to know someone from NOLA you know they are among the friendliest and most generous folks on the planet. There's nothing like a local guide for a first time trip--thanks Deb--I can see why you love (and miss) your home!

Mmm...Piping hot chocolate bread pudding @ Red Fish Grill!

But before I get back to the easel I wanted to share some of my favorite photos and sweet memories from the beautiful Crescent City... Am sure I’ll be painting some NOLA inspired paintings soon…

Beautiful boats and reflections on Lake Pontchartrain

Artist station at the Mardi Gras Warehouse where they create colorful floats year round.

The magical Honey Island Swamp--Like nothing I'd ever seen....

Lovely statue in Audubon Park

Who can resist a fruity glowing green cocktail on the famous Pat O's patio?

Thank you again to everyone who helped make my first trip to NOLA a true artist’s delight! Can't wait to visit again but now it's time to get back to work. It’s going to be a super busy week in the studio painting and getting ready for my YUPO and bird painting workshop next Saturday. Look forward to seeing you there!

It's YUPOssible!

"Thinking Pink Orchids" 9x12 watercolor on YUPO (collection artist)

Happy Hump Day everyone! Looking forward to my presentation/demo tonight for the Heritage Fine Arts Guild in preparation for my upcoming YUPO workshop! And on that note, I've been talking about it but the official workshop registration link is now live so here's the save the date info:

Workshop: Spread Your Wings with YUPO
When: SAT. November 16
Where: Littleton, Colorado
Time: 9A-3P
Cost: $30 members/$50 non members
You can find the supply list on the workshop page the Scarlet Owl Studio website.
To Register please visit the Heritage Fine Arts Guild workshop page.

Painting Workshop Description:
We'll warm up with YUPO (which you may purchase from me on that day) but the rest of the day will be dedicated to helping you with a bird themed painting in any watermedia of your choosing--so watercolor, acrylic, etc. You may also choose to work on YUPO for the rest of the day or you can paint an acrylic on canvas.

Space may be limited so please don't wait to reserve your space. Questions about the workshop? Please feel free to contact me (you can email or call) through the SOS website.

10 Fabulous Fall Painting Ideas

Indian Corn at South Pearl Street Farmer's Market

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”  L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

Happy October everyone! What do you like most about fall? I’m guessing that if you polled 100 artists the majority would pick fall as their most inspiration painting season. I love warm weather but I love the look of fall. There are so many vivid colors, tantalizing textures, and interesting shapes—I rarely run out of painting ideas this time of year.

A natural fall season subject is of course a beautiful autumn landscape--here in Colorado that usually means a scene with with golden aspens. And those are wonderful subjects. But I was thinking about other “iconic” fall symbols or associations which would also be intriguing painting projects.

Of course you could paint most of these themes and/or subjects year round but these are just some things that I tend to associate with autumn or a fall color palette. Don't forget to check out your local farmer's market, flea market, corn maze, cider mill, etc. for fall photos that you can use year round like the one I took for today's post.

1. Harvest Fruits (apples, pears, figs, pomegranates, etc.)
2. Root Veggies/Pumpkins/Gourds/Indian Corn
3. Sunflowers/Dried Flowers
4. Leaves/Acorns
5. Barns/Covered Bridges
6. Quilts--For texture and color as a still life background!
7. Books/Antiques
8. Fall Color Abstract
9. Candy/Treats
10. “Spooky”—skulls, ravens, black cats….

Looking for more fall inspired art and painting inspiration? Check out my newest Pinterest Art Board: Fantastic Fall. Have fun and enjoy an art world where there are Octobers!

Challenge Day 30: Fun at the Finish

Ab Ex Chicken-Acrylic On Canvas--Collection Artist

Happy Fall everyone and congrats to all of you who participated in Leslie’s “30in30” challenge! We made it to the finish! Personally, while I wasn’t able to “paint and post” every day I did paint and post more frequently. There was no doubt that a challenge like this is motivating in the studio! 

In the past month, I’ve shared my thoughts on color and painting more spontaneously. Today’s whimsical acrylic painting is just a fun tribute to both of those topics. 

First, this was painted entirely with a wood shim. That’s right no brush, no palette knife just a good old hardware wood shim. As you can guess, a tool like this really challenges you to paint in a different way.  From a color standpoint, I wanted to emphasize the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue). I felt this would help support the more graphic illustrative look which was my intent.

Once in a while, I think it’s nice to remember why we love making art and just enjoy the process...

YUPO & Bird Painting Workshop: Sat. November 16, 2013

I’ve posted some details for my upcoming painting workshop on both my website and on the workshop page of my blog.  If you have any questions about the workshop or would like to sign up, please write to me.

Challenge Day 29: Two for One Sunday

"Carol's Colors" oil study on Ampersand Gesso Panel 8x10

Focus and time limits - works for me. Small size canvases are also good tools to increase focus. (Liz Reday)

I had a really easy decision for my second to last day of the painting challenge this morning. Thankfully Carol Marine offered up this gorgeous sunlit autumn leaves photo for this week’s DPW painting challenge.

I rarely use photos other than my own but I just loved the glow of the leaves and colors in this. My other Sunday goal (allowing me some Broncos game time) was to “get in and get out” and do this 8x10 study in under two hours.

This required some upfront planning but can definitely save you painting time in the long run.  First, I took a few minutes to crop the photo reference. Selecting my own composition helps me not only familiarize myself with the subject but also gets me thinking about the painting before I start.

Next, I grabbed an already warm toned  8 x 10 Ampersand Gessoboard. While I usually prefer the tooth of linen or cotton panels, I find loose and fast brushstrokes work well on this smooth hard surface.  

My other tip is that in general fast=keep it simple. For example, I used just three transparent primary pigments and white. This not only enhances your color harmony but it makes color mixing decisions much easier.  Here my three oil paints were ultramarine blue, Indian yellow and alizarin crimson. (Note : Thalo, lemon, and permanent rose would have been an interesting choice here too.)

Another key factor is what I like to call painting “mise en place.” You may have heard chefs use this term in a busy kitchen. It basically means your initial organization and "everything in its place." This prep helps ensure that your painting time stays on track.  

Finally, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to stop by and comment in September--I greatly appreciate all your interest and support during the challenge!