| Author | Message | ||
  Iris 1 |
For Unyru...Regarding Ox Gall, Try the Winsor Newton website at www.winsornewton.com and click on Hints, tips and techniques. Good luck | ||
unyru |
Does someone out there know what Ox Gall is used for in watercolor paintings? For instance: Is it used in the painting water, in colors on the palette, or mixed in color blending? Why should a watercolorist use or not use ox gall? Maybe only the poor ox knows and he can't tell us, he died. | ||
feather |
Robin: Kukana's suggestion of Arches 140 CP is a good one. Arches is sold almost everywhere and is a very good "all around" paper. It performs especially well in scrubbing up mistakes, it can take a beating so it's great for beginners. If you're feeling a bit adventurious - see my paper test results on this board in the watercolor area. If you have any questions about paper you might have currently on hand, just ask us, well be glad to help. | ||
Robin Newton |
Thanks so much for the advice Kukana & jj. Sounds as if you both know what you are talking about. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!! | ||
jj |
Robin, To answer your question - "the name of the brush, the little flat one, that you take watercolor off of the paper with?" -- I think you might be asking about cheap joes "fritch scrubbers" they come in round and flat I think.... personally,I think a Q-tip works great too - (and a little more gentle on the paper, or even an old toothbrush or an old oil painting brush) Along with Kukanas great advice - I hope this helps too! jj | ||
Kukana |
Hey Robin, there are no stupid question. We all started exactly where you are. Some of us aren't educated as you. Heck somedays I forget which end of the brush to stick in the water. I'll try to answer a few questions. Feather is better equiped to answer the paper issue however my two cents would be to use high quality paper, at least 140. Whether you use cold press or hot press is a matter of style. Arches 140lb Cold Press or CP is a super place to start. You'd have a hard time finding anyone who would shun that advice. But branch out from there. Try different ones until you find one that suits your needs. Knowing what paper does and doesn't work for your style is half the education process that you must go through. My personal Choices are the above mentioned Arches and Aquarius II 80 lb by strathmore. I stay as far away from all other strathmore watercolor papers as I can't make themdo anything. Brushes too are all about personal preference. I have a variety of sable and synthtic brushes. If I had to pick 6 top that I can't live without they would be the following: Two number #8 rounds by Golden Fleece at CJAS(One to lay color in , a clean one handy to pick it up) one Robert Simmion 1" and one 2" Flat synthetic One #2 rigger by Golden Fleece One #12 Round by Winsor newton. Are these the only true brushes on the face of the earth...Heavens no. Once again it preference. Colors...What ever turns you on!!! What works for one doesn't work for another. Thats why we all have so much paint! I love to see other artists posting of their work and the colors they use. I love their art. But I don't want to paint with their colors..They're not me. One clear thing that I do know is that I don't like student grade paints. I like the pro lines better..Although American Journey is an excellent mid priced line. I use and enjoy many of their paint in my pallette. Yes Virginia, there is a Difference! I would highly suggest that you cruise through all the back conversations online and read throught them...especially Feathers thread about paper..There's one on brushes and several on paints and limited pallette. To find these and more just click on the word TREE VIEW on the left in the blue area on your screen and you can scan subject until the end of the millenium! Also buy borrow and rent books from friends, librarys, where ever. I use two different pallettes I picked up from books. Frank Webbs "Webb on Watercolor" and Jeanne Dobie's making colors sing. (excellent book on color. Go step by step through each exercise, don't skip any and you will have a great education on color!!!) Don't give up too on taking classes. Just because you had one teacher that didn't connect with you doesn't mean there isn't a great one around the corner! Check through your local college, community education and Parks and Rec. Most town in the US have some programs. The journey is the fun part.Finding the joy of it is the challenge. It wouldn't be fun any more if you had all the answers and you knew you couldn't fail. All progression would stop and there would be no growth. Follow your dreams and desire to express your art. | ||
Robin Newton |
I really don't know anything about art other than the fact that I have a God given talent. I took a few classes from a local artist but found them rather boring. I've never read a book on the subject, I just paint when I am inspired. I would like to know what is the name of the brush, the little flat one, that you take watercolor off of the paper with? And how do you know what kind of paper to use? And ... what are the most important colors to have in your pallette? Boy am I stupid or what? ;-D)))LOL |
