I've had a goal for years, yet to be fully realized, to paint large on location. Yet, for about a year and a half it's been the little 6x8 sketchbook...
Thank you so much, Marc, for taking the time to explain your materials and handling of the medium. I now feel confident to fill up the pill/bead containers without worrying that the paint will dry out too quickly! I really appreciate that info! I remember when you began using the Golden Open paints years ago and it sounds like you have just learned to be quicker and more decisive through your so many miles of direct painting practice! Time to jump in!
Love seeing your sketchbook setup, Marc! Thanks for sharing. I am transitioning to acrylics and really struggling with the drying-too-fast time. I've used the Masterson Palette with some success, but I like the idea of using the pill containers as seen in your photo. All the lids are opened and accessible. How do you keep them from drying out during your painting session? If you're spraying with water, won't they become too fluid? Are you using any acrylic medium on a regular basis? Also, is your gouache set up similar? Thank you for any suggestions.
Hi Kathleen... Thank you! The Sta-Wet palettes are nice but they make the paint too sloppy for my use. I guess you can regulate the amount of water in the sponge to help control that. Over time I've just found that I prefer the paint straight out of the tube, unadulterated, with the exception of the occasional use of Matte medium, or maybe Satin glazing medium. For one thing, the qualities that the paint has, like holding value, staying wet longer, and holding it's color strength, are best when the paint is not mixed with medium, or watered down. That's if you want to just paint alla prima, or directly. If you want to take advantage of the multitude of techniques and effects acrylics afford, then mediums are useful. I tend to try to paint as directly as possible. Once in a while I will try a retarder, but I usually just end up disappointed that the paint isn't dry yet!
On the palette, mine is glass, the paint dries pretty fast depending on the volume of paint mixed. I've just made myself try to improve my mixing memory muscles (if there are any ;-) ), so that I'm better at mixing and remixing color as I go along. One thing that has helped me out is to try to complete a passage in as close to one pass as I can. It hardly ever works that way, but it means that I can control edges and transitions a little better. Also, the surface you're painting on will cause the paint to behave/dry very differently. Including what the primer is that you're painting on. I can't say I have an answer for those things, experimentation will be your friend.
Believe it or not, when the paint is in those small bead/pill container compartments, it stays wet. I guess there's enough humidity in the space to help that out. If I mist the pots, it's just a quick hit, barely enough to notice. That way the paint does not get watered down. I put the bead containers into a zip-loc bag when I'm done. They'll stay wet that way for months.
Gouache is treated the same way, yes. Sealed air-tight containers, misted when out painting.
Just love these little sketches! I imagine you can use them as references for larger studio paintings. Have been a fan of yours for a number of years now and really appreciate how you design your paintings. Look forward to more posts! Thanks, Marc :0)
Thank you so much, Marc, for taking the time to explain your materials and handling of the medium. I now feel confident to fill up the pill/bead containers without worrying that the paint will dry out too quickly! I really appreciate that info! I remember when you began using the Golden Open paints years ago and it sounds like you have just learned to be quicker and more decisive through your so many miles of direct painting practice! Time to jump in!
Love seeing your sketchbook setup, Marc! Thanks for sharing. I am transitioning to acrylics and really struggling with the drying-too-fast time. I've used the Masterson Palette with some success, but I like the idea of using the pill containers as seen in your photo. All the lids are opened and accessible. How do you keep them from drying out during your painting session? If you're spraying with water, won't they become too fluid? Are you using any acrylic medium on a regular basis? Also, is your gouache set up similar? Thank you for any suggestions.
Hi Kathleen... Thank you! The Sta-Wet palettes are nice but they make the paint too sloppy for my use. I guess you can regulate the amount of water in the sponge to help control that. Over time I've just found that I prefer the paint straight out of the tube, unadulterated, with the exception of the occasional use of Matte medium, or maybe Satin glazing medium. For one thing, the qualities that the paint has, like holding value, staying wet longer, and holding it's color strength, are best when the paint is not mixed with medium, or watered down. That's if you want to just paint alla prima, or directly. If you want to take advantage of the multitude of techniques and effects acrylics afford, then mediums are useful. I tend to try to paint as directly as possible. Once in a while I will try a retarder, but I usually just end up disappointed that the paint isn't dry yet!
On the palette, mine is glass, the paint dries pretty fast depending on the volume of paint mixed. I've just made myself try to improve my mixing memory muscles (if there are any ;-) ), so that I'm better at mixing and remixing color as I go along. One thing that has helped me out is to try to complete a passage in as close to one pass as I can. It hardly ever works that way, but it means that I can control edges and transitions a little better. Also, the surface you're painting on will cause the paint to behave/dry very differently. Including what the primer is that you're painting on. I can't say I have an answer for those things, experimentation will be your friend.
Believe it or not, when the paint is in those small bead/pill container compartments, it stays wet. I guess there's enough humidity in the space to help that out. If I mist the pots, it's just a quick hit, barely enough to notice. That way the paint does not get watered down. I put the bead containers into a zip-loc bag when I'm done. They'll stay wet that way for months.
Gouache is treated the same way, yes. Sealed air-tight containers, misted when out painting.
I think it is true that sometimes we all forget just to let loose and have fun! Thanks for the reminder!
Great post! Love seeing your sketches. Thank you for this. You have been an inspiration for quite a few years. Great to see you on Substack!
Love your work and love your little sketches! I'm inspired to try a sketchbook myself, thank you for the info on paints and other supplies.
Just love these little sketches! I imagine you can use them as references for larger studio paintings. Have been a fan of yours for a number of years now and really appreciate how you design your paintings. Look forward to more posts! Thanks, Marc :0)
Great little skeches. good idea to keep them close for personal exploraitons
What brand of brushes are you using for gouache? Thanks for this post.
Pat I use any number of different brushes for gouache. All short handled, synthetic or natural but more synthetic for their stiffness compared to soft natural hair brushes. One I really like is the da Vinci Cosmotop Spin in sizes #10-#14. https://www.dickblick.com/items/da-vinci-cosmotop-spin-brush-flat-short-handle-size-12/