Thursday, June 2, 2011

Paint Party Friday... Questions Answered


Hooray!  It's time for Paint Party Friday (Week 12)!!!

After 3 months of Paint Parties, some questions about my techniques and supplies remain unanswered.  So, I thought I would take this opportunity to answer those questions (and offer a couple of tips just for fun)...


Two weeks ago I had a "tropical" Paint Party Friday post.  Jessica from Brown Paper Bunny and Nicola from Pointy Pix were curious about how I created the black background with white line hibiscus flowers.  I used black gesso (I love, love, love black gesso!) with white gel pen lines.

*Note:  White gel pen is not water proof.  (White paint pens are better for that type of work.)


Nicola was also interested in my collage papers last week.  She and Dana from Sinderella's Studio wondered how I got the patterns so "uniform".  My secret:  Stencils and stamps.  I cut stencils using mylar and I cut stamps from 1/2" foam.  After I apply them to my painted surface I add additional details using paint and prismacolor pencils.


Alarmcat from alarmcat studio wondered what kind of sketchbooks I use that can hold watercolor.  The truth is I choose my sketchbooks based on the book itself.  I like a book with a good, sturdy, linen cover (I'm not a fan of flexible covers - I like a book I can use on my lap easily).  The paper is decent, not watercolor paper, but it works... I don't usually mind when the paper buckles, but when it bothers me I just iron it.  If there is bleed on the opposite side of the page I either incorporate it into that page or gesso over it.  

I used to find my "perfect" sketchbooks in the bargain section at Borders, but they no longer carry them.  I recently discovered the sketchbooks pictured above on sale at my local art store, so I picked up a bunch.  They come in a variety of colors (the one I am currently working in happens to be black).  You can find out more about them (and find a retailer) here.


I frequently paint with acrylics and when I do I like to add a paint conditioner to my paint - it extends the drying time making them more workable, and it creates a more translucent quality depending on how much you add.  If you buy "acrylic glazing liquid" at an art supply store, it can be expensive.  To get the same effect for less I buy "Floetrol" (paint conditioner) at my local home improvement store!


I wanted to finish this post with one of my favorite art supplies: The Prismacolor Colorless Blender... amazing!  It is  my go-to tool when creating colored pencil pieces that have a painterly quality.

(If you're interested in learning more about colored pencil techniques, check out this tutorial by Ann at Blue Bird Hill.)

56 comments:

  1. Great tips. I am SUPER intrigued by black gesso, I may need to pick some up!

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  2. Sooo, black gesso a secret ingredient LOL, your secret is out, this was a funAND informative post :)

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  3. Hi Kristin, thanks for the tips! I may have to try the Floetrol. My mom and I were admiring your Angel Cat painting (which is still in the living room)and were taking about how smooth and well blended your paint is. Love it!

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  4. What a great informative post!! I've learned so much! Thanks!!

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  5. Thanks for the great tips. I'm like the journals. Thanks for sharing the info. Happy PPF!

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  6. Wonderful tips, thank you so much, Kristin. I used black gesso a while ago for the first time and loved it. I hope to work more with it - I'm still a bit intimidated by it.

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  7. Fantastic tips and thank you for sharing! ;)

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  8. wow, you are so generous to share some of your favorites with us, thank you so very much!!

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  9. Kristin, thank you so much for your very coveted tips and tricks!! I would love to see a video of you creating one of your masterpieces sometime if you're ever bored... as if! hee hee.

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  10. I like black gesso too. Used to use it a lot when I was working in oils. Thanks for your tips!

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  11. kristin, thank you so much for the answer to all those questions. i have discovered how little i actually know about art products and techniques as i have tended to stay in my own safe little bubble of what i know and what i can do. ppf has been brilliant for educating me and opening up a world of new techniques-massively grateful to you and Eva for facilitating that!

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  12. I always enjoy when artists give away their secrets. :) Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Thanks Kristin ... always good to know the tricks of the other artists .... A hug

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  14. Thank you so much Kristin for all the tips. Am going to have to write these down because will never remember them all. Annette x Happy PPF

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  15. Thanks - great post I shall book mark it for when I get back! OO Rosie

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  16. Ooh an art lesson - how lovely. Thanks so much for sharing what you've done and how.

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  17. I had no idea there was such a thing as Black Gesso- intriguing.....thanks also for all the other tips, ideas and suggestions.
    Happy PPF,
    Stephanie

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  18. Thank you for all the tips, it is always fun to learn new ways of doing things.

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  19. Thanks, for the tips! Sharing is so much fun! Love PPF!

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  20. Hi Kristin:) You have an amazing blog- I'm so glad I found it! Thanks for all the useful tips. I have black gesso, but don't use it quite as much...I'll definitely try it out again. Love your blog and now follow. Pls drop by my art blog if you'd like:

    http://laguidoune.blogspot.com/

    Lucy

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  21. Thanks for sharing your tips! I've been meaning to try both the black and the clear gesso but haven't been able to decide which to buy first, LOL. Love my white gesso, though.

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  22. Wonderful post and so informative. Thank you for sharing. I haven't used black gesso before but feel a need to buy some and play around with it. Recently I've started using my colored pencils again and think maybe I need a blender too. Guess a trip to the art store is in my near future. Have a great weekend.

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  23. Thanks for all the great tips Kristen and all the insight into how you create your fantastic art. Black Gesso, who knew? I use white all the time, but never black. I have blending pencils but I've never actually used them. Maybe I will give em a try. Have a wonderful weekend! :-)

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  24. Thanks for the product tips - floetrol is on my list.

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  25. Thanks for the tips, Kristin. Floetrol is something I could definitely use. That is now on my list. And will have to give those sketchbooks a try, also! Black Gesso IS wonderful, isn't it? ;)

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  26. Thanks for sharing these tips, Kristin! Black gesso sounds so intriguing...I am going to look for it.

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  27. Thanks for the tips Kristin. I think I might like the colorless blender so the pencil isn't so harsh.

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  28. wow, so many art supplies I've never laid my hands on..time to try out new things me thinks! Thankyou so much for sharing :)x

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  29. Oooh, black gesso. There's somethig I don't have on hand. It will be fun to experiment with that.

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  30. Thanks!!! I´m a beginner and this is a lot of really useful information. Time to play. :D

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  31. oooh so fun! Thanks for sharing your insider secrests! I love the ide of black gesso!!!!
    happy friday!

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  32. HI Kristin..wow...thankyou for sharing such an awesome post! Thanks for introducing me to floetrol stuff... this is brilliant news to me..as yes art supplies can be soooo expensive..wow.and yay..and yay!! I am excited can you tell?!
    Wonderful spotlight on some great products and fab tips..thanks so much!
    Have a beautiful wkd
    Victoria

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  33. I just bought black gesso for the first time. Can't wait to try it! Great post! Thanks for sharing!

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  34. Great tips in this post! Happy PPF!

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  35. How fun! Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks with us, I really enjoyed it. What a great way to start off the party!!! Happy PPF!

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  36. thanks for the great tips. Black gesso sounds intriguing.

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  37. So generous of you to take the time to do this, Kristin. I always wanted to try black gesso, now I am really motivated! ♥♥♥

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  38. thanks for sharing this info. lots of GREAT tips. i so appreciate it!

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  39. Thank you so much for sharing this Kristin! I love your style! I just saw your painting that Nelly bought from the auction! It is sooo cute!! I adore it!!
    Yes and I saw you comment on Nelly's blog that you were on Oprah!!!! Ohhhh Do Tell!!! I love Oprah. I want to hear the story!!! Please!

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  40. Thank you for sharing all your tips and stuffs with us! HAPPY PPF!

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  41. Happy PPF. And thanks for your favorite tips. Me thinks I wanna get my hands on some black gesso. I have only played with the clear and white gessos.

    I love my blender too!
    Salute!

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  42. Oh Wow Kristin!!! how amazing for you to show us some of your tools and techniques...I always love hearing about how people work!!!

    Wonderful post!!!!

    Happy PPF!!!

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  43. Wow! Really great tips. Thanks so much for sharing. And thanks so much for starting PPF and continuing each week to make it better and better!

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  44. With good ideas wonderful answers to these questions. Very interesting. Greetings.

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  45. thanks for all the info!! very helpful! i didnt even know that gesso came in black!

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  46. Thank you so much for the tips and techniqes. I love learning these sorts of things

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  47. Thanks for sharing your techniques and supplies! I'll definitely be trying the paint conditioner. Who knew!

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  48. great info, thanks!

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  49. Thanks for all the great tips...I love making my own stamps, I'll have to try the stencils. Love how you presented this post with the book! Very clever!

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  50. Thanks, Kristen. I always love to hear what artists are using. And thanks for the lick to the tutorial! Great post!

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  51. Well, this was an art class in itself...thank you for sharing all those helpful tips. I will definitely click on the colored pencils link for more info as I'm growing more and more fond of them.

    I will now check out last week's collage and black gesso background artwork you mentioned.

    Hope you're having a great weekend, amiga! :)

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  52. Hey Kristen, Missed PPF this week, migraines . Thanks for the tips. I haven't tried black gesso but would love to. Have a great week ahead! Theresa

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  53. you inspire me to no end! you are confident but you never brag. you are talented yet you always teach.

    the colored pencil thingy is now on my shopping list.

    love love
    kj

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  54. Thanks for all of the tips, Kristin. So many things to try out.
    I'm learning and experiencing so much through this community that you and Eva have created ....one of the best...Thanks!

    I also wanted to let you know that I'm presently posting a lot of the Treasures I've bought in the last month at all of the yard, garage, church sales ...etc. I think you'll like some of the finds.

    Annabelle : )

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  55. Wow so kool. Thanks for telling us your secrets. The hibiscus painting really had me in a quandry! thanks for sharing.Happy PPF even if a bit late. take care, gerri

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  56. Great post! Thanks for the mention too!

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