Three Experiments

March 2012: Experiments, a photo by apple-pine on Flickr.

I tried three things this month: watercolor book from Pen&Ink and Hero fountain pen (Hero M86 Calligraphy Pen) with Noodlers Lexington Gray Booletproof ink. The combination of all three is a major failure...

Pen& Ink paper is not taking watercolors well and all Lexington Gray is blotching ugly. Even the thinnest line in a few seconds becomes a lichen-covered stick. And no booletproof ink is waterproof or water resistant on this paper. It's not even smudge proof! So I am very disappointed with this sketchbook and will not use this paper again. Though ballpoint works great on it :)

Hero pen is something I need to learn how to use - but it's a lot of fun to experiment with! Variety of lines is amazing!

I do not have anything to say about Lexington ink as I am waiting for a better paper to try it on :) My previous experiments included watering down black inks to get some gray and they worked fine - but this might be more consistent in the long run.

My big fat black journal 3

It's almost a year since my first post about my big fat black journal. A year later, and five books filled,

I'm more than ever grateful for this way of becoming and knowing who I am.

I continue to use my journal to document my ideas, my art process, and my doubts and dreams.

(I'm still messy.)

(I'm still about process, not product.)

I'm still using my adored Stillman and Birn Alpha series 8 1/2" x 11" hardbound sketchbook, one every three months.

I still use pen and wash to respond to something beautiful before my very eyes.

If you need me, follow the trail of paint splatters and ink smudges. You'll find me, still here.

COOL sketch!

I got a huge kick out of this sketch by Len Sime Druskovich on our Artist's Journal Workshop Facebook group, and had to share it with you--AFTER asking permission of course, which was graciously granted!

Thank you, Len!

Please feel free to join us on Facebook and share your work.

Making Your Own Pan Paints

Making Your Own Pan Paints

I get asked about this, occasionally--and just recently on the free Strathmore class I'm teaching, so I thought I'd do a dual-duty post!

Some artists like to squeeze out fresh tube paints every time they work--I've always been sort of the frugal type, and prefer to re-wet my colors till they're all gone, whether in my studio--on my big beloved old John Pike Standard Palette!--or in my traveling watercolor boxes.  I've re-wet paints that have been on that palette for 15 years, with no problem...

You can buy paint in pans, of course (though it's much easier to find half pans than full, no idea why) but it's a piece of cake to make your own.  I love my old standby, Winsor & Newton.

It’s really easy to do, and have the colors you want in your paint box, as well as to refill them any time they get low...I believe it’s even a bit less expensive, too.

I was told by one company that their tube paints weren’t meant to be used this way, they weren’t formulated to re-wet as the commercial pan colors are, but I say “nonsense!”  I’ve been doing it for 40 years...

DO spray or drip water on your pans of paint a bit before you're ready to work...it makes all the difference, as you can see below!

Click to find this illustration here to see what a different spritzing a minute or two before you're ready to paint can MAKE in how rich your colors are. I list all the color names there...

That said, some colors or brands DO re-wet more readily than others.  Horadam Schmincke works well, as does Daniel Smith...but as I say, I’ve used Winsor & Newton for decades and they work beautifully for me.  They're still my go-to brand for most colors.

(Lovely as M. Graham paints are, they tend NOT to set up well under some conditions, since they use honey as a binder.  They may run or “drool” for you...)

So what's next...

If your palette box already has divisions, like the little one above, you just squeeze however much paint into each one that you want...fill them all the way, just put a dab, or fill halfway, it’s up to you.  (If it’s a paint I use often, I tend to fill it up.)

You can also buy empty half or full pans, made of plastic.  They’ll either fit directly into your palette divisions, as in some of the older style of metal watercolor boxes, or you can stick them down with rubber cement, so you can re-position them.  Most palettes will allow you to use a combination of full and half pans, if you like...I use half pans for those colors I use less often, or that I want to experiment with before making permanent additions to my repertoire!

This is my ancient Winsor & Newton dinosaur, being rehabbed now to remove the rust!  I've used it for decades, and it's traveled all over the country. You can see it will take full or half pans held in place by bent metal strips.

Finding Empty Pans

Daniel Smith has the empty plastic pans here: http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-050-050-001 (full pans) or here http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-285-240-003 (half pans)

Jerry’s Artarama has them: HERE

Kremer Pigments has them here:
(full pans)
(half pans)

 Cheap Joe’s has them here: (full pans)


Or try your local art supply store!

(The most difficult thing is figuring out how they’re listed on the site!  “Empty full pans” sounds weird...)

I've learned it may work best to start in the corners first and then fill the middle...and be aware, the paint will shrink as it dries.  You may wish to fill partway, let it set up, then finish filling to minimize cracking. (If your paint pops out of the plastic pan, just re-wet the back of the mound of paint and press it back into place, or use a dot of gum arabic as "glue.")

Allow the paints to set up for at least 24 hours to several days, so they won’t travel when you take them out in the field..  Then when you’re ready to paint, simply spray or drip clean water on the pans for easily-lifted, intense color, as in the illustration above.

NOTE: I was able to find a few extra vintage watercolor boxes which I've put in my eBay store...check 'em out, they're FUN.

* If you'd like, take a peek at my Flickr set of watercolor boxes and palettes.  Lots of ideas here, including my favorite Prang box re-hab, above!  (I've refilled those pans 3-4 times since I shot those photos, and both my Prang palettes now have a few half pans for incidentals.  They've traveled clear across country with me.  I think using the same old metal palettes I had when I was a kid frees up something in my soul!)

And if you'd like to see a video on making your own palette boxes, it's here:

Sandy Williams - Painting Birds in Gouache

I LOVE painting birds and I LOVE gouache!  I've put them both together and created my latest step by step instructional DVD, also available as a download, demonstrating the techniques I use to depict feathers and sparkling eyes.  Please check it out if you have a minute.  The URL is:  http://soundofwings.com/Learn_Gouache_Online.html

Use Color Fearlessly: A Color Theory Workshop

Above: Selection of paintings from Roz Stendahl, demonstrating her approach to color using a variety of media.

August 9 through 12, 2012 I'll be teaching a color theory workshop at the Midwest Art and Lettering Retreat. This four-day event is organized by the Colleagues of Calligraphy but is open to everyone. For details about the workshop please see my blog post Roz Wound Up: Use Color Fearlessly.

Besides being open to non-calligraphers this workshop is open also to artists of all skill levels. We will focus on blending colors from a limited palette of watercolors in order to understand the relationship of the colors. Students will develop a working understanding of color through experimentation and guided exercises which are chosen to provide useful color information regardless of drawing or painting expertise. This workshop will equip students with the skills needed to develop a personalized palette. I hope you will consider spending a bit of your summer in Minnesota exploring color with me.

Watercolor Paper and Ball Point Pen

Re-posting form my blog:


My last couple of sketchbooks were a little odd - craft paper or thin dry media paper (though I gave it quite a lot of watercolor and gouache coverings:) And I longed for a good old white sturdy watercolor surface to work with. When the time came quick review of the "reserve" box showed that I have this watercolor "Pen and Ink" horizontal book stored - COOL! I splashed some color right on the first spread!
However most of the pens in my "usual rotation" were bleeding, scratching, and overall misbehaving. While running some tests I picked up bic ball point and... what can I say - 1/3 of the book is filled now and most of it is black and white, done with the same bic ballpoint... see below :)