Brushing Up on Your Art

Just "some" of my studio brushes--The good, the bad, the old..

Happy late August! I love summer but as a painting teacher (and an artist who loves to also take classes myself) I always look forward to this time of year. Not only is it the perfect time of year to take a class or workshop, I think it’s great time review of your art and/or craft supplies.

As an instructor, I see some well-loved supplies (as in they haven’t made that brand in over 20 years). Some “antique” supplies may be just fine but others, well frankly, it may be time to just let go.

Nowadays we could include technology in that studio enhancement as well. Every time I upgrade my "older but still OK" laptop, tablet, website, camera, phone, etc. I think—Wow this is so much easier/better/faster...I should have done that sooner.

I’m really careful when it comes to studio expenses. But I also believe that if you invest in a class or workshop it’s worth having “up to date” fresh supplies that won’t hinder your experience. There’s a good reason for instructors to include a supply list. They want you to have the tools you need to get the job done.

Another thought:  What if you’re next painting is one of your favorites or even your “chef d’oeuvre?” You’ll want to be sure you’re using the best supplies you can practically afford.

Do you like art supply deals? This is a good time of year for that too. Often local art/office/craft supply stores or online art stores (i.e. Jerry’s, Blick) feature sales and/or special pricing, free shipping, coupons, etc. this time of year. (Tip: Google shipping coupon, etc.)

Personally, my art supply spending approach is “happy medium.” This means not “found in attic/garage” or “borrowed from my kids” but also not the break the bank either. And of course you don’t have to upgrade your studio all at once.

In my next post I’ll share my thoughts about what specific supplies you might want to shop for/replace and why. Until then, I hope you all enjoy getting ready for fall art or painting classes! You may find more info about my Denver area painting workshops and classes here.  

Don't Worry, Be Happy (You're an Artist)

"Bluebird of Happiness" 6x6 oil on linen

Happy Friday! The other day I was thinking about art and happiness. Some of you may recall those Peanuts posters from the early 70s (or so) that started with Happiness is…Like “Happiness is a Warm Puppy.”  Or here’s an even better art example—(Linus I couldn’t agree more!)

Sometimes I think it’s easy to focus on the frustrations that surround being an artist.  For example, I’ve been pushing myself a lot lately. That makes for a lot of unfinished or even recycled paintings. Arrrgh! As Charlie Brown might say.

Bit I’ve come to realize after painting for over 30 years that mastering a craft is not as linear or constantly rewarding as you’d like it to be. But one of the great joys of art is that it likely impacts your life on a grand scale (values, goals, purpose, and principles) as well as on a smaller daily scale. I have faith that these are two powerful forces will continue outweigh the challenges and propel me to return to the easel. (Even though some days it may be a close call.)

Yay--New clean, crisp brushes (Rosemary & Co. ivory flats)

So what makes you happy in the studio? Some of these “little daily moments” may sound silly to non artists (does anyone but artists even use pencils anymore?) but frankly I think that’s what makes us special. For me Happiness in the studio is...

• Squeezing out a fresh tube of white (isn’t that the best?)
• Unwrapping a new canvas (the bigger the better)
• Testing a new crisp brush (just received these new Rosemary ivory brushes today)
• Getting your drawing right—the first time
• Reading a new art book or magazine
• Discovering a new favorite artist (recently this was landscape painter Hibbard for me)
• Running up to the art store (you know...just to look around) 
• Day dreaming about plein air vacation destinations (any place with water....)
• Sharpening a pencil (seriously)
• Fresh flowers just begging to be painted...

Thankfully the list goes on. So I'll be back in the studio tomorrow. Hope you have a very happy weekend!

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!

What's Red, White, and Rolls?

My New Favorite Studio Accessory! Happy Independence Week everyone! I spend a lot of time in the studio and am always on the hunt for better taborets.  Which is just a fancy artist term for some kind of rolling stand, utility cart, or table you set up by your ease to hold your palette, brushes, etc. 

Over the years, in my quest for the perfect easel sidekick, I’ve tried everything from the dining room table, an old drafting table, a microwave/kitchen cart, a small Target folding side table, and a stout silver vintage metal cabinet reminiscent of R2D2 that was affectionately known as “The Robot.”

My most recent taboret was a rolling vintage black metal typewriter (remember those?) table just like this one that I um “rescued” from an alley.  You can often find a variety of vintage of rolling carts online. Here's some examples of rolling carts on Pinterest that could easily work as taborets.

Of course you can also find a variety of fine art taborets on line like this “Rolls Royce” of custom made wood taborets which cost more than (and is almost as as my large as) my old VW Rabbit. 
While I was dreaming about this $3,000 taboret a few weeks ago I spotted a bright cadmium red  tool cart in Better Homes and Garden. The cart had been repurposed as an attractive beverage cart for decks, summer parties, etc.  Then I realized that this shiny cart would be a perfect new taboret. 

Luckily the cart was available at Harbor Freight (also available online) but we had a store not too far so I was able to buy in person.  And did I mention the cart’s on sale for under $75?

Once assembled (it does require a socket wrench set which I had to borrow) I was in taboret heaven. As you can see the tool cart has sturdy locking wheels, a roomy locking drawer (to help keep your sable brushes and that new tube of cobalt violet safe), additional storage on the open bottom shelf, and plenty of room for my covered palette holder and brushes on the top.  Plus the side handles make moving it a breeze. Ahh…I love it when things work make your artist life easier. Welcome to my new summer students and next time my 250th post! Stay tuned...

My Top 10 Favorite Studio Tools 2011

Since its award season I thought I’d post Part 1 of My Annual Best Art Studio Tools and Helpers. Here are my Top 5 2011 “Golden Mannequin” Awards...
Best Overall Studio Helper: My iPad
My big splurge item last year.  But, if you already have an iPad I probably don’t need to convince you how fabulous they are. At first I didn’t really think it would be a “must have” in the studio. Now, I use it everyday--it's always in reach of my easel. 
 

I also enjoy listening music and podcasts such as Artists Helping Artists. Since I tended to keep my larger laptop in my office, the iPad’s also a handy time saver for checking a website for show deadlines, check out a Youtube demo, the weather, my calendar, my mail etc. It’s also great for travel (plane sketching with the art apps!). I’m certain I’ll continue to find more art and studio uses for it. All around, an A+ artist tool.  

My studio mascot gray tabby Dash is also a wonderful muse and studio helper, but he's one of a kind.

Best Organizational Tool: The Wonder File!
OK, a bit embarrassing, but from the first time I saw the late night TV ad, I knew I had to have one. I have two (one red, one black) and could easily fill a third. Like a fold able scrapbook, I use it mostly for organizing those pesky reference photos into categories like: floral, horses, still lifes, abstracts, figures, landscapes, etc. As you may read in some reviews, it’s not perfect (the elastic straps kind of crunch thinner printer paper, pocket sizes a bit odd, etc.) but it works better than my loose file folders. Plus, if I need to take my reference photos with me, I can just grab it and go.

Best Storage Tool: Mayline Oak Flat Files
Many years ago I found a vintage 10 drawer Mayline oak flat file cabinet at an office liquidation center. It’s a giant oak whale and it cost more than my sofa, but I it's a must have for storage. It safely stores a ton of unwieldy materials such as full 22x30 watercolor sheets, mat board, random collage scraps, yupo paper, illustration boards, prints, large drawing pads, my art clear bags, etc. I must have over 100 items in there. The large flat top can also be used as a work surface and the drawers have handy changeable label tags.  Can’t imagine where in the world I stored all these items before “Moby” came into my art life.      

Best Painting Tool: Rubber Tipped Scrapers/Shapers
I’ve mentioned these tools before--I use them for both oil and acrylic painting particularly when I’m working on a firmer surfaces such as canvas board, Masonite, or illustration board. You can find these firm but flexible rubber tipped tools in a variety of shapes and sizes. They used to be hard to find but I just spotted some the other day at our local craft store near the painting knives. And of course you can order them on line. Runner up: Oil paint Sharpies for my line work--love the gold and silver!   

Best Green Tool: M. Graham Non Toxic Walnut Medium
Thank you, thank you Graham for making this. As I’ve mentioned before, the more I paint the more chemical sensitive I become so I don’t tend to use much medium anyway.
But when I do, it’s nice to have this option. Runner up:  I use Turpenoid Natural for all my clean up now. Pop up baby wipes are pretty nifty too.

I'll be back in a future post with the rest of my Top 5. In the meantime, have a great weekend and as always if you have any questions about art supplies, studio tips, or my classes please contact me.

Slice of Summer

 "Summer Slice" 

8x8 Oil on Linen Panel

Price: $40 + $5 shipping 

Hi All, first, I thought it was time for a refresh of my blog look and feel and while I personally like a dark rich look, I know they can be hard on the eyes so I'm trying out a lighter template.

I don't know about you, but it's about this time of year I start to get a little (a lot actually) panicky about summer's end lurking around the corner. With that in mind, I was looking around this morning for something to paint that would be a little "slice of summer" and the seedless baby watermelon seemed an obvious subject fit. Also, the watermelon is a great example of natures brilliant hue combination of a red/green complement that can be so exciting to paint.

As a foodie, I also think it's kind of cool that watermelons seem to be one of those polarizing foods/flavors that people seem to really like or dislike. For example, I love watermelon but cantaloupe or honeydew, while beautiful to look at, not so much with the flavor for me.

Also had a great time while painting today listening to all the helpful "studio secrets" on the Artists Helping Artists BlogTalkRadio show. It was interesting to discover that a few of my own "studio must haves" such as walnut oil and/or Murphy's Oil Soap for brush cleaning, bungee cord for paper towel roll on easel, the small canvas holder (which I blogged about recently), were other painters' favorites as well. But there were many new tips/tricks that I look forward to researching further such as "photo cubes" for taking pics of my art. 

Quick note, we have extra space available in our Monday Open Studio Class from 10A to 2P  in downtown Littleton so please let me know if you'd like to join or pass the word along to a fellow artist--oil, acrylic, and watercolor all welcome since our focus is color!

My Top 10 Favorite Art Studio Tools (so far)

Since I've been working a lot lately and have not had that much time to paint, so I thought I'd take a minute to share some of my studio must haves. Like many artists, especially those who work in multiple media, I'm an art supply lover who loves to try the latest colors, art tool, studio gizmos, etc.

But over time, I find that I have a few tried and true art studio resources and tools that I always go back to or buy in bulk. And most of these are quite inexpensive. Keep in mind that I regularly paint in oil, acrylic, and watercolor so some of these "studio helpers" work across media and others are media specific. Best of all, most are under a few bucks each.

1) Red sheets of acetate (usually available at art store in the drafting department). For those of you who used them before, you know they a great value finding tool.  Put them over any color photo or painting and they instantly "decolor" and help reveal the values. Ahh, the magic red sheet--my students know it well! Price: Under $1 for a small sheet.

2) Blue painters tape. I use the basic 3M brand from home improvement store. Yes, sometimes it's not as sticky as I'd like it to be, but you can use it for so many things and as a well-known TV designer used to say: It's a ruler on a role!  So if you struggle with astigmatism like I do, it helps keep you on the right track.  Price: $3-4 roll. Probably less in bulk.

3) Speaking of something blue. I love blue shop towels on a role. You can also find these at home improvement store, hardware store, or even Costco. Much better than paper towel, IMHO. Because they are designed for oily clean up, they help keep my brushes cleaner and in turn I have to use less solvents.  Price: About $3-4 each in a bulk pack I think.

4) Covered palette boxes. Yes, those crazy plastic lids can be a pain the you know what, but I like how they are relatively easy to transport, deter curious pets, and in general keep your paint relatively fresh. I use these for all of my media in a variety of styles and shapes from round to the classic rectangle Pike palette with big wells for watercolors. Price: Varies $10-25. 

5) Color wheels. I've painted for over 25 years and am even known as a "colorist," but I still like to have a good size (think pie) size color wheel (as well as some smaller "purse size" wheels) on hand. A bit of a color safety net? Perhaps but when I get stuck sometimes, usually a quick glance over at helps me make a decision or a more interesting choice if I'm in a color rut.  Price: Usually under $10.

6) Old frames of a variety of shapes and sizes. I never complete a painting without popping it into a frame first to help me make those final adjustments. I try to keep the most common sizes on hand like a 8x10, 9x12, 12. x12, 12x16, 18x24, etc. in both a dark (black, dark brown) and light finish (gold, silver).

These studio frames don't have to be great quality and many are quite banged up and scratched. Next time you are at a frame shop ask if they have any "scratched/dents." And yes, I've spray painted some frames that had seen better days that a neighbor was tossing out. That being said, once in a while I splurge and buy a really high quality frame (more than $100) which are always nice to have in the studio. Along the same lines for watercolor paintings I like to have a variety of sizes of white mats on hand. Often you can save a painting by simply cropping it in different way.  Price: Varies based on your dumpster diving issues.   

7. Big tubes of white oil paint. I use both Permalba (a mix of Titanium/Zinc) and Titanium. Yes, large tubes (I find) have tendency to dry out, but I think it's worth it if you ever see these on sale to buy a few extra. Rarely do I have a day, especially when I'm teaching, that I'm not reaching for a big tube of white. And yep, I buy student grade white oil and acrylic paint. I've tried the professional white and personally can't tell enough difference. Price: $8-15, maybe less on sale.

8.Painting knife (I like the new stainless steel ones with the color rubber handles--very comfy), especially with oil, but I use them quite frequently for acrylic as well. As much as I love brushes, if I was forced to choose one tool for painting it would have to be a painting knife. Price: A few dollars on up depending on brand, size.

9. Art or painting apron--I've said it before. I love art aprons. I'm really not that messy but mentally I just feel ready to paint when the apron goes on. It's like my work uniform--but with crazy retro patterns. With summer approaching, I've seen some nice ones in the kitchen wares section of home goods stores. Look for lots of pockets--you will use them. And of course you can get more "serious" aprons from a variety of online art stores as well. Beret, optional. 

10. Hmm, at ten already. Isn't part of the joy of being an artist all the special equipment that comes with the job? I really can't pick just one more item, o I'll just list a few a extra studio accouterments came quickly to mind as far as daily studio use (and hopefully most fairly self explanatory):

• Digital camera
• Variety of easels (from large floor to small table top)
• Scented candle (preferably natural or woodsy--helps "put me in the mood") and/or hot cocoa
• Bungee cord (use to hold paper towel on easel)
• Idea folder

Have  a great week in the studio! P.S. The spinning red brush holder (only $14.99)  is a utensil holder from Target and comes a in a variety of fun colors like this red (which I had to have of course), turquoise,  and lime.