Apr 22

Spring Show at Kay's

Dear Friends,

Having spread into an additional 600 sq. ft., both my students and I are enjoying 

the extra space. Hope you can come see us. -Kay

Tinted Watercolor Paper

Blick on Market Street carries Bockingford Tinted Watercolor paper in full sheets. -Pam 

Winsor & Newton

Spotlight on Phthalo Green

Apr 15

Every Color Under the Sun

This reminds me of the color swatch book we saw at the library:
A Pre-Pantone Guide to Colors: Dutch Book From 1692 Documents 
Thank you, Darlene

Gregory Euclide

Nancy, the watercolor teacher at CCSF, turned me on to this artist. He uses watercolor in all his 2D and 3D multi-media work.
Gregory Euclide Gallery

Apr 08

Open Studio at the Art Explosion

Sue F. is showing her work.

April 08 & 09, from 12 - 5 pm
2425 17th St & 744 Alabama St 

Some Stuff about Blue

I am investigating and talking about color a lot lately. In a recent conversation, Mary C. was saying how disappointed she was with the Daniel Smith Lapis Lazuli. Her expectations of something rich and luscious were not met! So, I did a little snooping, and this is what I discovered . . . 

It started with: Winsor & Newton page on Cobalt Blue
Which led me to: Wikipedia's Cobalt Blue
On to: Wikipedia's Ultramarine
And finally: Wikipedia's Lapis Lazuli

My guess is that Daniel Smith is using the Lapis Lazuli from the mines in Chile, because the other sources are from places not very friendly with the Western World. Just a thought.

Apr 01

Some interesting tips, whether you want to create clouds with pencils or brushes.
How to Paint Sky & Clouds in Water Soluble Pencils

Spotlight on Vermillion

One of Alexander Calder's (and my) favorite colors. 
Winsor & Newton - Articles & inspiration

Mar 25

Call for Entry

Just a reminder to fellow artists that the San Mateo County Fair is quickly approaching. The fair will run from June 10 - 18 this year. 

All entry forms need to be in by May 9. All art entries are $10 each. A printed guidebook is at the Event Center Office at 2495 S. Delaware St./ San Mateo 94403. Also, check your local main library or community center.

The online guidebook can be seen at How to Enter Your Stuff and it will take you to the Fine Arts Galleria. Remember, this is open to anyone---you don't have to live in San Mateo County. We get entries from as far as Japanand Germany.
Thank you, Jesse.

Mar 18

Ivan Aivaovski

I was just introduced to this painter and found his renditions of sea and sky strongly challenging to the ever-so-popular Turner. Hope you like the Cyrillic alphabet, or your browser can translate for you. And, the music provided under the first painting is a great soundtrack for the images.
Ivan Aivaovski

Ivan Aivazovsky - Wikipedia

Mar 11

Color Palettes

I have recently been expanding my color knowledge, so here are some articles that interested me:

Basic Watercolor Palette: 12 essential colors
A very basic article on how to use the color index 

Colours to Pick for a 12-pan Watercolour Palette
This is an article about the limited palettes for 5 different artists

An article on color mixing
Working with a Split Primary Color Palette

Everything you need to know about my watercolor palette
This person starts with a few basic colors and adds more according to their needs

Limited Palette
This guy works with 2 pigments and a white

PaintMaking
An amazing site for the geekiest of us, especially this page about the history of artists' palettes

A List of Free Color Resources and Color Theory Information for Artists
More resources, if you are interested