Art supplies are absurdly expensive. Artists have to pay Cadillac and boutique prices regardless of the quality of the goods, which varies widely. What’s worse is the cynicism of manufacturers. You can buy ‘genuine copal varnish’ that contains no copal–none. You can buy ‘genuine flake white’ that contains no lead–none. The list can go on and…
I wrote before about my genius for getting oil paint on my clothing–much to the chagrin of my long-suffering wife. It’s almost always red paint, usually cadmiums–heavy metal paint. I arrange my palette with the warm colors, reds and yellows, nearest to me. So when I drag a shirt sleeve through the paint, as I did once again this morning, it’s usually one of the reds. When this happens, my sleeve magically succeeds in painting every nearby surface and article of clothing before I discover the accident.
Yes, I have a collection of paint-shamed clothing that’s been relegated to ‘studio togs,’ but sometimes I just grab the nearest shirt before entering the studio. This is especially prone to happen early in the morning. I took-off the newly-ruined shirt and donned a ‘studio tog shirt’–one previously smeared with red paint and with the sleeves cut off. Dressed this way–old, ragged, paint splattered clothes–makes me look like a bum. My neighbors cross the street to avoid me when I’m in my ‘studio togs.’
I haven’t worked up the courage to tell my wife about this latest incident. Wish me luck.
I whined about my previously-praised easel earlier this month. I’ve had the Utrecht-branded easel less than a year, and I complained about having to replace one of its casters. The way the casters are attached is poorly implemented; once one detaches, it’s impossible to reattach. While I was replacing the caster, the support brace split. #@!**@#!!! I glued…
Yesterday’s painting session was the 4th for Taking Note. The underapinting is finished, which is fast (for me) considering it’s large size–42″ x 56″. But it’s only a single figure and the design is simple and straightforward. In the background on the floor is the new Sunday Parade, which is also 42″ x 56″. After several…
My large order of heavy-duty stretcher strips arrived from Jerry’s on Thursday. Enough stretchers and cross braces for 12 paintings: 6 @ 36″ x 48″; 6 @ 40″ x 50″. I am preparing three at a time–three of one size and then three of the other and so forth. Buying in bulk saves money plus I got them on sale–$275 for the lot. I have everything necessary to prepare the canvases–GAC 100, acrylic gesso, and oil ground. And the canvas, of course.
These 12 new canvases along with the 12 larger ones I prepared earlier (the biggest is 5′ x 6′) will keep me busy for awhile.
I’ve whined before about the jars RGH uses for its paint. They’re useless–worse than useless. They don’t seal properly so unless you use the paint straightaway, it’s wasted. I lost one half of a 250ml jar this way. Even spraying water over the paint failed to preserve it.
The jars nullify an otherwise brilliant strategy. RGH offers the all-import lead white in a variety of sizes and binders. As far as I know, RGH is the only supplier that allows customers to select the binder–cold-press linseed, walnut, refined linseed, and others. Their prices are good too. But the jars make it moot and transform an instant buy into an avoid.
I notice that RGH now offers a 125ml tube of white, but the tube is priced at the same price as a 250ml jar! At this price, the tubbed white is not a bargin.
I corrected the Gamblin entry in my oil paint brands reference. I erroneously provided the price of a 150ml tube of cerulean blue ($71. 21) instead of the 37ml tube, which is $26.21–a significant difference.
I gushed about my new easel last spring. It was my first new easel in a very long time. My other two easels are old and broken down. I’m always fighting them. The new easel–Utrecht Artist’s Convertible Easel, Vertical/Horizontal (51772-1001)–can support canvases up to 97″ high. It’s rugged but still mobile. I haven’t tested its limits, but…