Julie Karlsson and Daniel Smith / Seas and Skies
I found this article interesting because of of the tip at the end: If you ever need to reclaim lost white highlights, try using a fine tipped paintbrush loaded with Titanium White Watercolor Ground! A tiny bit of water can be added as needed to make it easier to apply those fine lines. You can also paint more watercolor over the Titanium White Watercolor Ground!
Daniel Smith Watercolors for Seas and Skies
The Focal Point in Art
The focal point isn’t just wherever the eye chooses to see. In paintings, we don’t want the eye to just choose to see what it wants to look for. On the contrary, it’s the painter’s responsibility to direct the eye, to orchestrate its movement within the painting through the usage of linear paths. After the artist has manipulated the viewer, they reward them using some or all of the these elements mentioned.
8 Ways to Create a Focal Point
The Color of Music
Kandinsky believed abstract painting was the best way to replicate the melodic, spiritual and poetic power found in music. He spent his career applying the symphonic principles of music to the arrangement of color notes and chords.
Using principles of music to advance composition and color
The Rare Blue the Mayans Invented
During colonisation native materials like Maya blue and cochineal were exploited along with every other resource of the land and its people in the New World.
Mayan Blue
Strathmore - Toned Blue Mixed Media Pads
I have not tried this paper, but thought it might interet some of you. I tend to tone my own paper, to get the exact color I want, but it would be a challenge to work with pre-toned paper.
This is some of the blurb: "Introducing the new Strathmore steel blue mixed media pads. This beautiful mid-toned paper is designed specifically for use with light and dark media. The paper is manufactured to withstand both dry and wet media like watercolor, gouache and acrylic."
Video - Toned Blue Mixed Media Demo with Artist Minnie Small
Using Just 8 Colours by Bob Davies
Pam has been playing around with this palette, so if she thinks it worthy of attention, it must have value. From reading the list, it looks like it is working the warm/cool hues.
Ultramarine Blue
Pthalo Blue (Green Shade) or Prussian Blue or Monestial Blue
Cadmium Red or Vermillion or Scarlet Lake
Permanent Rose or Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Rose
Cadmium Yellow or New Gamboge
Lemon Yellow or Cadmium Yellow Light
Burnt Umber or Burnt Sienna
Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
This is the link to the post: Achieve amazing watercolour paintings using just 8 colours.
Everyday Objects Perfect for Mixed Media Artists
This article is right up my alley. I am always on the lookout for mark making objects and here are some good ideas. There is a book promo for more info, but the article has enough examples to stir the adventurer in you.
Common Tools and Found Objects for Mixed Media Art
Tyrus Wong
I have posted about this artist before, but just came across his book, called Water to Paper, Paint to Sky. I don't keep a lot of books around, Google and the library fill most of my needs. But he is one of my favorite artists and wanted to share him with you, again. If you Google image his name or the name of his book, you will see wonderful pictures of his art.
This is just a sample:
This is a great video about him:
Remembering "Bambi" artist Tyrus Wong
After retirement, he built some wonderful, whimsical kites that he flew in Santa Monica.
