Tips - techniques, supplies, resources
Sites I like
Here are some other websites I've enjoyed for finding materials, interesting techniques, and thoughts on making art.
Art Departments and Exhibitions:
....because I am an alumna and can give shameless plugs and support my schools
http://stamps.umich.edu/alumni/alumni_show
http://stamps.umich.edu/exhibitions/
http://art.emich.edu/
Groups I belong to and support:
http://www.nationalwca.org/
http://www.riversidearts.org/
Cool art sites with useful tips, insights, and something a a little different:
Take a trip to the museum online when driving isn't an option.
http://www.dia.org/art/
http://www.umma.umich.edu/
https://amandabrettwatercolour.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/7-things-im-thinking-while-im-painting-watercolour/
Where to buy materials
*sigh* I used to be able to run to a choice of local art supply stores that were independently run, within 5 miles of home, and staffed by folks who really knew what they were selling and why. Most of the time I am buying from a chain store that isn't focused on art, or buying via the web. I save up orders when doing the latter, and encourage students to combine orders to save on shipping.
Favorite watercolors and why
I like Windsor Newton, as well as Lukas.
My 'go to' colors are Cadmium red medium, Permanent Rose, Dioxazine Violet, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, and Sepia. You don't need every color. This pallet allows me to keep colors pure and vivid. Fewer colors encourages you to learn what you have, and how to mix. This I got from my late professor, Mignonette Cheng, and my artist friend, Leslie Masters, who did her master thesis on color theory and paint pigments. I do have other colors I enjoy and add to my pallette such as Prussian Sapphire (rich and vivid), carmine (deep cool red), gamboge ( great mixing yellow), and colbalt and cerulean blues.
I rarely use black or white. Black easily goes flat, so when I do use it I mix something into it. For a deep rich dark tone I prefer Prussian or intense or Phalo blue with sepia. I can mix lovely browns with yellows and violet or blue and orange. Likewise, cool reds with green create nice grays. I often use the "muddy" colors on my mixing are for the loveliest neutrals.
Here are some other websites I've enjoyed for finding materials, interesting techniques, and thoughts on making art.
Art Departments and Exhibitions:
....because I am an alumna and can give shameless plugs and support my schools
http://stamps.umich.edu/alumni/alumni_show
http://stamps.umich.edu/exhibitions/
http://art.emich.edu/
Groups I belong to and support:
http://www.nationalwca.org/
http://www.riversidearts.org/
Cool art sites with useful tips, insights, and something a a little different:
Take a trip to the museum online when driving isn't an option.
http://www.dia.org/art/
http://www.umma.umich.edu/
https://amandabrettwatercolour.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/7-things-im-thinking-while-im-painting-watercolour/
Where to buy materials
*sigh* I used to be able to run to a choice of local art supply stores that were independently run, within 5 miles of home, and staffed by folks who really knew what they were selling and why. Most of the time I am buying from a chain store that isn't focused on art, or buying via the web. I save up orders when doing the latter, and encourage students to combine orders to save on shipping.
Favorite watercolors and why
I like Windsor Newton, as well as Lukas.
My 'go to' colors are Cadmium red medium, Permanent Rose, Dioxazine Violet, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, and Sepia. You don't need every color. This pallet allows me to keep colors pure and vivid. Fewer colors encourages you to learn what you have, and how to mix. This I got from my late professor, Mignonette Cheng, and my artist friend, Leslie Masters, who did her master thesis on color theory and paint pigments. I do have other colors I enjoy and add to my pallette such as Prussian Sapphire (rich and vivid), carmine (deep cool red), gamboge ( great mixing yellow), and colbalt and cerulean blues.
I rarely use black or white. Black easily goes flat, so when I do use it I mix something into it. For a deep rich dark tone I prefer Prussian or intense or Phalo blue with sepia. I can mix lovely browns with yellows and violet or blue and orange. Likewise, cool reds with green create nice grays. I often use the "muddy" colors on my mixing are for the loveliest neutrals.