I have created quite a few new large size artworks for my studio sale event on December 8th. I do it every year, and the attendance is usually not crows, but some people come. A couple bought one of my large fall paintings. That was wonderful because this painting was created using a lot of texture and color transitions. It just proves that this type of art is very appealing and people love it. I could have probably created even more textured artworks because they always look stunning, especially when seeing in person.
New art classes, old chores
I haven’t been posting much recently, and there is certainly a reason for that. I was busy advertising my art classes after I moved the studio to another location, and that takes so much time and efforts. I have had quite a lot success so far because I believe potential students realized soon that this is a studio where they can really learn something new. That is very flattering and I appreciate the huge interest. It looks like January and February classes will be well attended.
Some years are just not that good
This year started out on a promising note, but it had prepared some unexpected challenges. The necessity to move house and studio was a huge problem, but my trip to Latvia was fantastic as it always is. I am waiting for the end of this year, nevertheless. It’s hard to admit, but nothing can replace wasted time, and I am extremely considerate about wasting even a minute. I once wrote how I measure the time flow by accomplishments. I wish this year had more accomplishments.
New types of paintings
This is a year when I created less new paintings than I expected, but more new types of paintings, I added a lot of figures, imaginative characters, many still life and floral paintings. I will post these paintings as soon as I get time. I know there is no excuse for posting that few articles. The truth is that my art and creations take a lot of time: weeks, sometimes months. When I have finished a painting, I need to make time for taking pictures. Then I take pictures, and there is no time to post them, and so it goes.
New images of new art
These are the images of new mixed media works, it took me couple of weeks to get them done, and they look amazing. I think colors came out just wonderful. I regret I can post only pictures because the actual works look really very attractive. I create something better and better every year and I’m very happy about that.
Mixed media works can really take long time, but they look stunning
I also added numerous layers of paint, although it is not that visible on a photo. All works are 3-dimensional
All of these artworks are 20 x 24 inches in size, about 5 inches thick, therefore, I would offer them rather locally because shipping would be very problematic
The look is very festive and colors look beautiful with lights on or off
New art for kids
I have created beautiful snowman and gnome characters and they are large and came out very nice, but I hope posting them some other day. You can find them on Fine Art America site, there is a special collection ” Art for kids”. All of these paintings and many more are available during my studio sale event. I had to post an update not to lose all my blogging friends. Enjoy!
Since the days are getting so short and the dark and colorless outdoors clearly indicate Christmas is not that far away, I decided to feature the original art and art prints which are definitely my best sellers again this year.
I believe that some subjects, themes and genres never lose their appeal and originality. When the festive season comes around, we want something cozy and something warm not only in the physical surroundings, but also in our heart. The soft snow scenes and the attractive Christmas florals have been always loved a lot.
I know that no print or printed art product can ever resemble the impact of the original art, but still: there are many occasions when one would go with lovely art print either on their notebook, mug, tote bag, wall tapestry and similar things. I do not make my own prints because Fine Art America does it better. The selection of products is also huge: from greeting cards to all kinds of framed and unframed art prints on different surfaces, even would, metal and silver, from apparel to bath towels and bags and tote bags.
After I posted a few feature posts last year I was very lucky to also sell one original art piece: the spruce creek. It looked excellent in the black frame, and the lady who purchased it said it made look gorgeous the entire room . Who knows, I hope to sell some more original paintings, especially taking into account that the number of original paintings I have created is large. I would gladly ship some art, too, especially watercolor paintings. They are light, just the weight of paper, so shipping is way less..
Looks beautiful and completeThe lonely tree looks cozyBig textureThis gallery displays a few of my bestselling art prints.
Some bloggers purchased a few original paintings in previous years. It is just so, that the bigger the painting is, the more expensive the shipping becomes, and it isn’t up to me, but the shipping companies. I would love to say a big thank you to all people who have purchased my art over years and who enjoy it every day in their homes and offices.
Why should you spend time on value drawing? If you do such drawings large or full painting size, it will take quite a lot of time, from a few hours to a few days. However, these value drawings will be all reference materials you need. I have added many photos of my very large still life drawings, so that you see what I’m talking about.
Drawing for watercolor
I started to do such large size value drawings because my goal was to eventually create a watercolor painting. As you may know, watercolor paper is very fragile and painting does not look good if there are lots of visible pencil marks or even worse. Erasing damages watercolor paper. I do such drawings on tracing paper. That is because I use a specific drawing transfer technique which allows seeing my final drawing very well without applying graphite pencil too much. It saves me work afterwards and prevents my paper from damage.
Large is great
I make these drawings large, to be more exact, the actual painting size. I usually paint full-sheet 22 x 29 inch ( 56 x 74 cm) watercolors, and sometimes a bit smaller acrylics. The drawings shown in my photos are 22 x 29 inches ( 56 x 74 cm) and 20 x 24 inches (46 x 61 cm) .
I usually do these and similar drawings in class, 20 x 24 inches (46 x 61 cm)
Value drawing is a guide and a map
All answers to questions which arise during the painting process are in the value drawing. I love painting from real things as opposed to photos, and if the subject is sensitive, such as flowers, food, fruits, vegetables or moody nature scene, I have to use something which quickly captures the subject. I obviously cannot get done a large painting within a few hours. Therefore, instead of taking photos, I do value drawings and sometimes value sketches.
Camera doesn’t replace visual perception
Partially, I don’t rely on photos since I got my first camera not that long ago and I was very much used to draw everything what other people were taking pictures of. The other aspect to that is the way any camera distorts the subject or view. My eyes perceive it much better than any camera would, and I create a composition on a fly.
Photographic visual memory
I don’t know whether I was born with it or whether I just developed it, but I only found out quite late in my life that I have literary photographic visual memory. I simply did not pay attention to that when I was young.
Advantages of having great visual memory
School was easy for me. I memorized everything extra easy, and I added an analytic approach to memorizing things. I am still able to remember lots of text just by looking at it. That helped me enormously when studying at university. I personally think that my visual memory comes from drawing. I was drawing everything whatever I saw since age I cannot even recall. Parents told me about that. It was a surprise because there were and are no other artists in my family which is actually quite extensive.
Memory can be improved at any age
I do believe and have seen that visual memory can be improved to a great extent. What happens in real life is that people most often don’t use their memory and brain. The more support from devices we have, the less we use our own memory. That is disastrous and leads to early memory loss.
How drawing helps keeping excellent memory
It is obvious that one can have all kinds of reminders and lists on their phone and computer. However, there are people like me who never ever compile a list or use a reminder. I’ve never forgotten any appointment or meeting in my entire life. I never make any lists, neither shopping, nor to-do lists, not even invoicing or student lists. It is all comfortably filed in my head.
My most recent drawing, 20 x 24 inches (46 x 61 cm), it can be used for any painting without any photo reference
The reason I love drawing
I don’t draw to only exercise my memory. I draw and paint also not because of likes or social media comments, followers or any other feedback from fans. I draw and paint because that is my way of life. I live in a visual world where everything is a painting and any view is art. That is the way I see the world and life.
Multiple and various uses of value sketch and value drawing
Having a value sketch or value drawing is of big advantage, not only because you have a perfect reference and guide, but also because you can use this value drawing with any painting media afterwards. You can go ahead and complete it as drawing, pastel painting, transfer to watercolor paper and paint with watercolor, transfer to canvas and paint with acrylics or oils. You can reuse it and flip it, as well. Finally, you can use any part or fragment of value drawing, as well as create a composition which consists of value drawing elements
Any of these drawings might become paintings, this one is 22 x 29 inches ( 56 x 74 cm)
It is a preview
It also serves as a sneak peek. It is clearly visible what works well in your composition and what not that much. Therefore, it is possible to correct everything while you transfer the drawing, so, that you do not have to deal with issues during the painting process.
Test your values
Test your values turning the image of painting into black and white. If it still looks good, your values are correct, and so is the contrast.
Uniqueness of our drawing style
Drawing is like handwriting, and our personal style is like our handwriting. It carries the specific features of our character, nature and mental abilities. It is possible to describe one’s nature by simply looking at their drawing. It is and it should be unique. Don’t trace photos, it is so much more rewarding to simply look around and see.
Still life is beautiful and teaches all drawing aspects
You don’t draw because you haven’t tried to do it right
When somebody says: I cannot draw, that actually means they are not interested in seeing the surroundings or the subject. How much one has noticed becomes only visible when we ask that person to draw it. While everybody is under impression that we can see everything, that is not true. You will only start seeing what is around you if you will try to draw it: all shapes and shadows, and relationships between lines.
Whatever we can see, we can draw
It does not necessarily have to be a real thing. You can see and imagine with your internal vision, and that should work as if drawing from reality. You build up the directions for your hand in your brain. If you are not trying to challenge yourself, your hand will create inaccurate and sloppy lines. In order the hand would draw what we are seeing, we pretty much have to become that particular subject in your imagination: the tree, the apple, the blossom and even the bowl, and even more so if you are drawing a figure or face. That is why most artists are quite recognizable from portraits they paint: all of them carry some features of the artist. Confidence is a big deal, too, and we can become confident only by doing.
These are only lines on paper, but what fantastic illusion of an attractive, appealing and impressive reality they create!
I have always students who believe that having everything is a guarantee of good result. That is not true! Until you have found your favorite brush, your favorite watercolor paper or your favorite watercolor paint brand, use whatever you already have, and get only things which are necessary.
Graphite pencil drawing
You can use Bristol drawing paper by Strathmore, the small size is 14 x 17 in, 300 Series. The large size is 19 x 24 in which is a great size. Also 300 Series. This paper is fairly smooth and suits drawing well. It makes erasing easy. Other option is using CANSON XL cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper. Size 12 x 18 in. If you rather keep your drawing at a sketch level, you can use CANSON Universal Sketch paper in size 18 x 24 in. That is a perfect size.
Pencils can be just regular pencils from 2H, including HB and up to 3B. Softer pencils leave too much graphite on the paper. You will most often use just HB pencil because it’s not too hard and not too soft. For eraser, please, get the artist grade soft eraser which absorbs graphite. You buy it at the art store. If you feel you have hard times keeping long lines straight, please, take with you a ruler. Paper towel under hand helps not smudging paper on which drawing is created.
Pen and watercolor sketch or color sketch
For sketch without paint, you can use CANSON Universal sketch paper, 65 lb. For pen and watercolor sketch, you can use CANSON XL cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper. Please, note! It will not work for watercolor painting or painting in layers! It is too thin and doesn’t absorb paint or water sufficiently. It can be used for drawing only and with watercolor pencils. Strathmore 300 series paper will work well for pen and watercolor wash.
We use simple graphite pencil, H and HB, they work well because we shouldn’t have too strong pencil lines.
For pen, you can use any black pen which does not bleed with application of water, but I am using MICRON from 02-05. You can test pen before buying it and see which one you like.
We use only the soft, flexible, artist’s grade eraser. It is very important to have such eraser.
Watercolor painting supplies
We use in watercolor painting classes the following art supplies.
Watercolor paper
Strathmore 140 lb, cold press watercolor paper, 400 Series. 400 series paper is thick watercolor paper which is important. I use it in size 18 x 24″ for all demonstrations You can cut the paper sheet in half, and you get 12 x 18 inch paper. Perfect size for beginners!
Strathmore sells also 12 x 18 inch paper blocks, cold press. It works well for starting out with watercolor painting. However, if you’d like the best, you could use Arches 140 lb, cold press watercolor paper. It comes in sheets and blocks and is expensive.
Please, make sure your paper is at least 12 x 16 inches in sizeor larger.
We cannot create anything meaningful on a tiny size paper. Saunders-Waterford is also an option, but bright white is not always available, but it is a cotton paper, therefore, results are better than using watercolor paper for beginners. For this purpose, Canson, Fluid or similar papers do not work. Never have paper lighter than 140 lb. It will warp, buckle and there are many things you simply cannot do on thin paper.
Brushes
We need 2 round brushes with fine tips for watercolor painting (soft, synthetic),size 12-14 and size 4-6. Some brushes don’t bounce back, so they won’t do what you need. Especially, lifting. It’s best to test. Synthetic brushes work very well and are very suitable for watercolor painting. Just make sure it is not oil brush with stiff and rough bristles, but the tapered drop-like watercolor brush.
Watercolor paints
If you have paints in tubes, you will need palette. It must have a decent size mixing area. Small kids’ palettes do not work well because they have too tiny mixing wells.
Essential watercolor paint colors
Cold yellow, like Hansa yellow or Lemon yellow
Warm yellow, such as Brilliant yellow or Cadmium medium yellow,
Burnt Sienna,
Payne’s Grey,
Quinacridone Crimson,
Carmine Lake or similar red,
Cerulean blue,
Cobalt blue
and Prussian blue
It’s possible to mix absolutely any other colors from these ones. Primary colors are yellow, red and blue. Any secondary color is already a mix and can be got.
Yellow or Gold Ochre is optional, as well as more red colors. If you can have only 1 blue, get Cobalt blue.
Set of watercolor paints
Sets of ready to use watercolor paints are fantastic for beginners.
You can use them easier than tube paints, and you most likely will have all basic colors in a set (12 color set, for instance). You can get started faster also. Which brand you choose, probably depends on how much you intend to spend on paints. Please, do not use chalky kids’ or craft watercolor paints, they do not have the specific pigments which we use and they do not have the ability to create good washes. That would be all sets which do not list name of a particular paint. Half-pans are popular, but painting is very difficult. They are too close together, and there’s too little paint.
Pencil and eraser
You will need graphite pencil. HB pencil works well. We do not want too much graphite on watercolor paper, therefore, avoid using soft and very soft pencils. We use only the soft, flexible, artist’s grade eraser which is sold in art stores. It is very important to have this eraser which absorbs graphite, not damages paper.
Extras
We need quite a lot of paper towels.
Paper towel has many functions with watercolor painting, so, definitely do not forget that, 6-10 sheets per class. You will learn how essential paper towel is with spontaneous watercolor and watercolor washes, as well correcting some areas. Finally, attach your watercolor paper to a firm, light base, thick cardboard or similar with painter’s (green) tape. Having paper for testing colors helps.
You will eventually find your brand and your most favorite brushes, paints, pencils and papers. The better quality your watercolor paper, brushes and paints are, the easier it is to paint and create good art.
We do not need a lot of acrylic painting supplies to start painting, so, keep the list short and get things you do not have yet as you go.
Brushes
1 flat brush, soft, synthetic for either watercolor or acrylic painting, ¾ inch wide; or about the same size Filbert brush (it is flat with rounded corners). 1 small soft watercolor or acrylic brush, size 4-6 round, fan brush for oil painting (rough bristles). If fan brush with rough bristles is not available, get simple wall/window painting brush, 1-1.5 inch wide. We will cut it out with scissors, so that it can do more. I will show how. We can use Filbert brushes (slightly rounded edges) in small to medium sizes also.
Canvas
We use 16 x 20” canvas for regular classes and 16 x 12″ canvas for 1 day workshops. If you believe you are rather slow with brushing paint, the smallest size is 12 x 16 in. However, painting larger is easier. You will need to paint your canvas in medium dark grey or brown color before you come to class. The edges of canvas need to be covered with one layer of paint as well. That helps creating better art much faster.
Acrylic paints
The best acrylic paints for beginners are AMSTERDAM students’ grade or Liquitex Basics students’ grade paints. Artist’s Loft (Michael’s brand) will work, as well, but it doesn’t mix well with paints of other brands (curdles).
The best is to get a professional grade Titanium white and two yellow colors: one lemon yellow and the other cadmium medium yellow or similar warm yellow. White and yellow are very weak colors in any students’ grade paints. I’d not advise to get a paint set, but rather separate tubes because we use white and yellow much more than other colors. You do not need any green color..
Short list of acrylic paint colors:
You will need 6 basic colors to get started:
White: Titanium white, required more than other colors
Black: Lamp black, Mars black
Red: 1 warm red (more orange red) and 1 cold red (more purple)
Cadmium medium red, Primary magenta, Crimson pyrrole, Carmine red, Crimson lake, Carmine lake, Naphthol red medium or similar, whatever red the brand you want to use has.
Hansa or Lemon yellow (cold yellow) and Cadmium yellow medium, Brilliant yellow, Azo yellow medium (warm yellow)., 2 yellow shades are important for color mixing. If you have just one, please, choose medium yellow (warmer).
Blue: Brilliant blue, Prussian blue and/or Cobalt blue, having at least 1 blue is very important
Artist grade paints have more pigment and less fillers and binders. If you would like to use artist’s grade paints, I would advise Liquitex heavy body, Graham (satisfactory quality, not that great tubes) or Golden (also tough to open tubes).
Additional acrylic paint colors:
You can get them gradually when you know what you need more.
Ocher: yellow ocher or golden ocher
Red-brown: Burnt sienna
Warm dark brown: Burnt umber
Blue: Ultramarine blue, Cerulean blue
Dark grey: Payne’s grey
Additional supplies: white plastic disposable plates (it is important plate is white). Do not use mixing papers or tiny palettes which are not suitable for mixing wet paint. I will not accept them for art classes. Mixing paper does not work with many acrylic paint applications, especially fan brush and sponge.
At least 10 sheets of paper towel per class. It is very important you use paper towel, it is not possible to paint without cleaning your brush frequently.
We use pre-painted canvas so that painting is much easier.
Additional supplies for easing the painting process
Plastic knife
Seaweed sponge or silk sponge
Slow-drying medium and blending medium, as well as modeling paste are useful, but we use them only for certain projects and get by with water. I have my own blending medium which I create from 3 components, I will show how.
It is better to have fewer acrylic painting supplies and better quality supplies. It is recommended to get paints at the art store. Artisan liquid paints from the Dollarama absolutely do not work.
