I'd like to share some of the tools I can't do without in the studio...
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Paint apron
Given to me by my late mother when I was in my alphabet collecting phase - circa 1990.
Brings me comfort of knowing her influence is always with me.
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A variety of high quality inks: used on final layers.
Example here! |
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| Newest favorite splurge: Schmincke watercolors. I saved for several months to get these - well worth it! The colors are vibrant, mix well and will last me a long time! I also have a collection of Windsor and Newton tubes that get pulled out as well. Water color usually comes in the final layers. |
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- Gesso: I use it to block out something I don't like so I can start over...
- Liquitex matte gel medium: I buy this by the gallon and funnel it into a smaller squirt bottle. I use this to thin acrylic paint, mix it with watercolor to get a glazing effect and as the glue that I stick the tissue paper on with. I also use it with colored pencil to get a smoother (less toothy) finish. I either dip the pencil in it or paint over the pencil afterwards with the fixer.
- Atelier Fast Medium/Fixer: This is a new product to me and I am still playing with it. It does help the layers dry faster so that I can get on to the next one. I have also been experimenting with it as a glaze.
- Golden acrylic ground for pastels: this mixed in with the acrylic paint and or the acrylic gel medium makes it possible for me to use the watercolor and or inks in the next layers.
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- Palette knives: I keep this collection simple - I own three.
- Cheap dry brush: I wipe away dried "crumbs" of paint, pencil and the occasional cat hair
- Medium sized gesso brush
- Water color brushes - I can't get myself to spend too much on fine brushes yet (it's only been thirty years of painting, I've got time)
- Clay tools: I was introduced to these by a mentor Nan Hass Feldman who sold them to me about ten years ago. I use them to dig through wet paint to reveal an earlier dry layer underneath. I also use metal clay tools for finer lines.
- cheap brushes to brush medium onto the dry acrylic to stick the tissue layer to and to brush medium over the smooth tissue after I adhere it to the surface.
- Brayer: I use this to get the first layer of paint down quickly and smoothly.
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| Plastic containers to keep mixed colors in. I think I found these at a craft store. I drop a few droppers of water in the container before sealing it to keep the paint wet. I think this method works better in the long run than adding fixer to the paint. |
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Dee Solin's Magic Palette
I discovered this tool several years ago and it has been very helpful when I am trying to get just the right color. I have a bias against using colors straight out of the tube. I think it is amateurish and boring - at least that's what my inner critic tells me when I try to get away with it. |
I have many more tools that I use consistenly: an easel I curse at daily, a large collection of Faber Castell colored pencils, oil pastels, a variety of mediums, hundreds of brushes for various reasons...but these are some of my favorite things (cue Julie Andrews)...
Happy Creating!
Hi Jane. The apron from your mom is sweet and well loved. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to steal your idea of using those little plastic containers! They will work better than the plastic wrap I've been fighting with.
Yes! They do work better than plastic wrap - especially if it's a color you are going to need again...or don't want to waste if you've made too much.
ReplyDeleteI tried it yesterday and wow, it really does work better than plastic wrap!:)
ReplyDeleteToday I mixed up larger amounts of paint for a very large painting and used plastic sour cream containers. Good bye plastic wrap!