Feb 24

Three of Us at the Goat

Rose Madder
2 minute video
Thank you Winsor & Newton

Mixing Winter Watercolor Cocktails

This is for all the plein aire folk that like to sit outside in sub-zero temperatures to catch those white on white palettes. Not my cup of tea, but to each their own. There is some interesting info on mixing alcohol with watercolors for preservation and texturing. 
Note: There is promo material embedded in the article.
Alcohol as an Antifreeze
Thank you, Artist Network

Feb 17

Top 10 Most Romantic Paintings


For Valentine’s Day (a little late)
Grab a heart-shaped box of chocolates and enjoy this top 10 list of romantic paintings to celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s a gimmicky holiday to many, but the day set aside to revel in gushiness and goo-goo eyes also deserves a painting spin. Here are the paintings that Cupid, and any romantic at heart, will love…
Let’s Canoodle!
Thank you, ArtistsNetwork


Goat Hill Artist Reception
This is a message from Mike, owner of Goat Hill Pizza and loyal supporter of our group.
"I thought you might be interested in dropping in at (the newly remodeled) Goat Hill and check out the photography of Gordon Brown."
Sunday, February 18 • 2 - 4
Thanks, Mike Monley"

Watercolor Powder Techniques
Intense paint powders that is water-based and non-toxic. The colours are brilliant and transparent with unique qualities that make it a great medium for loose and impressionistic work. Use wet-on-wet, sprinkling, spritzing, and other techniques. It can be used to stain wood and fabric.
There are many brands, with similar qualities, such as Brusho (the one that Joanie and I have been passing around) and Colorburst.
Watercolor Powder Techniques

Feb 10

Goodness Gouache Me!  
I am including this article because 1) there has been some discussion lately around gouache and if it's really watercolor, and 2) it's a good, comprehensive introduction on using the medium.
My own experience with gouache is - you get what you pay for. Before you invest in a tube or two, check out the contents. Some brands have a chalk-like filler that will your gouache look very dull and lifeless. 
How to Create an Outdoor Still Life   


Calligraphy and Drawing Inks
A comparison, with, for me, a surprising result. This video is focuses on light-fastness.
Dye based inks vs pigmented inks




Great Artists, Gorgeous Dogs
Just for fun, for dog lovers, not just watercolor lovers.
We are ringing in the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with pups in art. See how portrait greats like John Singer Sargent captured canines and take a browse through the beloved and weird breeds that have made it into paintings.
Celebrating the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show



The Color Red
Mostly Sexy, Slightly Sinister — The Color Red
Vermillion, crimson, scarlet, fuchsia—the color red comes in so many different shades. And of all the colors in the spectrum or on the color wheel, it’s the most easily visible. Red is the first color the human eye perceives after black and white. It’s primary, the hottest of the warm colors and has even been proven to raise blood pressure and respiration rates. No matter the hue, if you paint it red, it will command attention.
History, Symbolism and Secret Powers of the Color Red

Feb 03

Composition
Thousands, maybe even millions, of paintings exist. But they all have certain things in common. Those commonalities are relatively few in number: color, style, subject matter and composition. That means they matter — a lot. Put your energy and creativity to making paintings with these strategies on one of the crucial commonalities — composition — in mind.
5 Painting Strategies for Your Best Composition Yet
From the Artist Network Blog