Happy Holidays

Dear Friends,
I wish you all the happiest of holidays and I'll return with tips after January 1, 2008.
Love,
Linda

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Prairie
14x18 inches
Oil on panel

Purchase HERE

Painters Tip


The Value of Thumbnails


Get in the habit of doing quick thumbnail sketches before you start to paint. You can use index paper gridded off into 9 blocks. Take a pencil and do several sketches of a scene you have in mind. They can just be line drawings with no values or detail. After you do 8 thumbnails, take a look and circle the best three. Take a bit of time to think about why they are the best and then do one more with the elements you like from the best. Now you have a clear understanding of the proposed composition and it will go quickly and easily for you in the final painting. This works both with photos and in painting on location.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Red Sky
watercolor on cold press
5x7 inches
unframed
40.00
4.00 shipping
See my paintings HERE


Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

When you are starting out in the business of selling your art, there are many decisions to make and they should be made very carefully with much forethought. It is easy to get trapped in a system that is not right for you, and difficult to make transitions later.

There are lots of options for you and finding the right one is important. I break them down into main categories:

Street festivals and Mall art festivals- This can be a good route for someone starting out. Just like any other venue, name branding is important and it takes time to move up through the system. I spent many years as a street festival artist, and I learned a lot. The limitations for this kind of venue are two fold. You must decide to go for the prize money or go for the sales. Rarely do artists succeed with both. The sales often come to artists who rely heavily on reproductions. The prizes often go to arists with more contemporary work, limited to large paintings with few in the booth. Often the same artists win at most shows. I believe that many sales are in the lower end. High end patrons tend to avoid street fairs, but many corporations add to their collections at fairs. It is a physicaly demanding route to take. Long hours, lots of putting up and taking down of equipment, constant travel. You must conted with severe weather as well. I am generalizing here. Of course there are many exceptions.


Galleries- Most artists aspire to being represented by galleries. I moved from street fairs to galleries about 15 years ago. Galleries come in all price ranges and tastes from neighborhood gift shops to very high toned establishments. They have a great deal of control over the artists they represent and set the price range, though not directly. If you show in galleries, you must have consistent retail pricing. They also often have territorial rights from 30-100 miles in radius so that an artist must show with them exclusively in their area. The artist has little to say about how many works will be shown, or even if they will be allowed to stay with the gallery after an introductory time period. Some galleries are wonderful to work with, and very professional. Others are a complete nightmare. An artist often finds this out too late to save their work or get payed. I have had dealings with both. Gallery representation will give you a certain amount of prestige and look good on your resume, especially for an emrging artist.


Self Representation- This is great category if you have self discipline. If not, I don't recommend this one. Let someone else handle your work. Self rep take a great deal of organizational skills, the willingness to work very hard and a great game plan. You should understand and embrace marketing to self rep. You must be willing to show your work in alternative spaces and self promote. You must be willing to have a commerce web site and be willing to promote your studio with parties, mail outs and other outside the box ideas. You must genuinely like meeting people and sharing your work with others. It takes a lot of energy to self rep. The best part is that you are in control of your studio, not someone else. If you handle it poorly, you will starve.

Combination Selling- This is where I am presently. I am self repping more each year but I am also represented by several galleries in the South. I also have an agent and a copywriter who does my PR for me now. This is an ideal place to be because I do have control over my career. I don't rely on my galleries to furnish my income, they are gravy if you will. After 30 + years of being an artist, I feel it is a good time to set my own direction and make decisions for myself. With Internet commerce growing every year, I believe artists will have more and more control over their career and have the opportunity to deal directly with patrons in a more personal way. This is not for the reclusive personality who doesn't want to interact with patrons. They are better off with an agent or with commercial galleries. Personally, I love knowing the kind people who support me. Most of my patrons become my friends. A definite bonus.

You must think carefully about which method will work for you in the long term. It may be a combination of the above methods. Think and plan before you automatically decide.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Orange Dunes
5x7 inches
watercolor on cold press
unframed
40.00
4.00 shipping

Purchase HERE


Painters Tip

The 30 Minute Studio Clean-up

I have a lot of visitors to my studio. This is wonderful and I look forward to each one with joy. It is a working studio so there are lots of projects going on in various stations around the room. I have an acrylic station, a watercolor and drawing station and an oil painting station. Of course there are various paintings hanging and stacked everywhere too. It can quickly get out of hand during busy times. I keep one rule,and that is to make sure there is no more mess than 30 minutes of clean-up at any time. I live 13 miles from the city and it takes about 20-30 minutes to get here. When people call to say they are coming, I have time to pick up the studio and go into the house and prepare a tray of food and drinks for them.

I keep various things in my refrigerator and pantry which will be a good snack, and that I can put together quickly. If you do nothing else to welcome visitors, do that. The food and beverage brings the biggest compliment I receive when visitors come, aside from the focus on paintings. They love having a nice snack to nosh on while they look. In fact, regular visitors look forward to the treats.

I think of my studio as my home, and when friends come, I want them to be nourished and cared for.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Palms
5x7 inches
watercolor on cold press

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Here are a few tools I keep with me for plein air work. They come in handy regularly. Some painters don't realize that you can do larger format paintings on a pochade box by simply using a small bungee cord or spring clamp. I do up to 14x18 inches on my 9x12 Guerilla box. I just set the panel on the inside lip and use a clamp to secure one edge to the back of the box lid. It works great. You can also use a much smaller panel than your box is made for in the same way, without the expense of the panel insets that box makers sell. Just use the spring clamp to clamp the panel or canvas to the lid.

The other option for larger than box canvases is to run a bungee cord behind the panel and box, hooking the metal hook on each edge of the canvas/panel front. Another way to use spring clamps and bungees is to lash down your palette in windy weather. It works great, though you will probably get paint on the cord or clamp.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Work in Progress
12x16 inches
oil on panel

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painter's Tip

I started the painting above out on location. I have been studying the NOTAN process for several months and did this painting, using that process. In Notan, it is advisable to use one value to dominate, either a mid value, light or dark value. It is not always easy to make that decision successfully and it takes a fair amount of imagination and forethought. NOTAN is not free form or random. It is pretty deliberate. I like to simplify the values to include no more than four or five. Less is more with NOTAN painting. I must admit after a few months of trial and error, I am starting to get the advantage to this process. If you want to learn about values, study NOTAN.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

See my paintings HERE


Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


A good way to discern the value and color of an area you are painting is by comparing it to colors and values positioned near it. Get into the habit of doing a lot of comparing and you will soon find that it becomes so much easier to nail it the first try.

Using your peripheral vision can also help you to see values and colors positioned close together. Because your peripheral vision is not as sharp, you will not be distracted by sharp detail and will instead, be able to compare color and value without distractions.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Lavender Sky
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
watercolor on paper

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes HERE


Painters Tip

Checking Vertical and Horizontal Relationships of Objects in Paintings

When you are painting subjects from life,use a long stick. I use a dowel about 20 inches long. It's almost as accurate to use a pencil or a brush handle held in the fingers at arm's length between the subject and your eyes. For horizontal relationships, just hold the dowel horizontally, and you can see at what angle the edge of a ship's sail is in relation to the horizontal - 45 degrees, 90 degrees. etc. This is good when appearances can tend to be deceiving. Holding up the dowel and measuring widths, and heights in relationships to each other will really help you to see their comparisons as well as placing them accurately in the painting composition. They are often not at all the sizes that you assumed they were.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog Here


Painters Tip

Keep a mini portfolio in your car.

You never know when opportunities will come. I like to keep some promotional materials in the car with me. I use Excel or my Working Artist software to make a gallery sheet of images with title,medium, size and price of 10 or so paintings. I make a few brochures on my home computer, and a bio/statement/brief resume/business cards and list of galleries where I show my work. I put all of these in a manilla envelope and keep it in the trunk of my car.

I also use a three ring binder with the office supply clear inserts in it. I put small watercolor paintings and studies in oils and acrylics, back to back in the binder. I use different binders fordifferent price ranges, usually 50.00 paintings in one and 100.00 paintings in another. Just a few at a time, so that interested people can flip through them. I take these with me and use them at various opportunities.

I have sold quite a few paintings this way, putting the binders out in places where I am painting with lots of people coming and going.

You just never know when opportunities will come along and it's good to be ready.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Mail Art
Beach Tree
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
watercolor on cold press
mounted to mat board
11.00
.60 shipping

See my paintings HERE

Art Note Blog HERE

Painters Tip


For beginners like me in Watercolor


I've been doing a bit of watercolor painting for the first time in my life. Here is what I have learned so far.

I like cold press paper. It seems to be nicer than the hot press I have seen. In order to get darks and rich color saturation, multiple coats are necessary. It's easy to get darks but nearly impossible for me to get lights unless I use some sort of masking device like frisket. I discovered that a white candle does great stuff. It masks color and also creates really interesting textures like stippling. Way cool. I've learned that the planning has to be much more careful than oils or acrylics and mistakes don't get fixed very easily. It is a really fast medium.

I don't like the wet paper approach too much. To soft and smarmy. I prefer more intense dry brush technique, with nice crisp line work. I did a watercolor on gessoed masonite and it turned out alright. I noticed right away that lifting of color was very easy with the masonite as opposed to the paper. I used a spray varnish to seal it and now it can be framed like an oil or acrylic. It was very fast. I'm going to try some of the watercolor canvas and see how that works. I can mount it to masonite

I haven't a clue as to what I am doing but I am learning fast and I think it is going to be a good medium for small format work. I'm looking forward to the process.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Mail Art
Brown Dune
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
watercolor on mat board
envelope included

11.00

See my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

An artist emailed me asking for my opinion on what makes a good web site for art sales.

Here are some important things to me. These are things I would look for as a buyer of art, which I am.

A shopping cart system or www.paypal.com with buttons under each painting. I want to be able to purchase immediately if I wish to, and it must be easy.

Good sized Images of paintings, get rid of thumbnails. I find them to be very annoying. I don't want to have to click on them to see a full image and I don't. I would much rather see 10 good images than dozens of thumbnails.

Images rotated frequently. I want to see new things each time I visit.

I want to read about the artist and see their personality, not just a dry bio and statement. I want to know what their passion is for in their art.

I want to see their events and studio news, updated in a timely way.

I want to read interesting material on their about me page and see pictures of them working.

I love to see WIP's and read about their process.

I want to know where they show their work so I can see it if I am traveling.

I want to sign up for their Rss Feed or opt in mailing list.

I want to read a newsletter at least once a month.

I want it to be easy to find them by typing in relevant key phrases in the search engines.

Having a blog is a good supplement or substitute for a web site and you should have links to your blogs on your site.

I want to be entertained and fascinated by a web site. I don't want the usual boring site with paintings, bio,etc. I like content and lots of it.

I am getting ready to pay a new webmaster to tweak my site, add RSS feeds, and text to improve the SEO. You need to do that at least once in a while to keep it as high as possible in searches. It takes lots of viewers to sell paintings.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Mail Art
Dune Shadows
2 1/2 x 3 1/2
Watercolor on Index Paper
Envelope Included
11.00
.60 shipping

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


The Secret to Improving

People ask me all the time how to get better at painting.

Here are a few ways to improve:

Show Up!! This sounds silly but I mean it. Paint every day whether you feel inspired or not. Good painting has nothing to do with being in the mood. Good painters work whether they feel like it or not.

Study!! Get in the habit of doing a lot of small format studies in specific areas of painting. If you need work in composition, do lots of studies in composing tiny paintings. If you don't know how to paint water, go out to a lake or to the beach and practice multiple studies in water pattern, light on water, dull days on water, wave action, etc. Do hundreds of little water only paintings. Don't worry about making finished paintings, just do parts and pieces of your subject and do them over and over until they start looking pretty good. The same goes for mediums, brushwork, etc.

Research!! Do a lot of reading on techniques, mediums, subjects. There is a wealth of information available on painting. Study specific areas of interest and learn as much as you can.

Find a teacher!!! If you feel you are going nowhere on your own, find a good painting teacher. I'm not talking about the many who paint while you watch and collect your money. I'm talking about a painting teacher who will take the time to take you step by step and who will give you specific tasks and exercises to improve your work. Study with someone who really loves teaching rather than painters who just want to make money.

Be a real Student!!! Once you find a good teacher, you need to accept the role of student with grace and determination. Don't be one of the many who think, I already know what I want to do, This is weird, etc. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and try things you haven't thought of before.

Start being consistent with the above options and you will start to improve. Don't keep doing what you are doing if it doesn't work. You need to think of new solutions rather than the same old way you have been working. Try a new approach, change to a different medium, try different palette and brushes, new supports, etc. Shake out the cobwebs and start fresh in 2008 with new determination and joy.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Homosassa River Palms
5x7 inches
watercolor on cold pressed

40.00
4.00 shipping

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Studio News

Plein Air Monthly

A once a month plein air class in the North Central Florida area. We will meet at various locations around North Central Florida for painting and instruction.

9 AM- 1:00 PM beginning Saturday, January 5th

As the weather gets hotter in the spring and summer, we will meet at 8 AM in the spring and 7 AM in the summer..

Anyone can come, no matter the experience level. We will study alla prima painting, color mixing, values, composition, brushwork and other components of plein air and landscape painting. This will be a relaxed casual class with lots of painting time and camaraderie. I'll be happy to give advice on equipment, supplies,travel, and marketing. This class is the outdoor version of my monthly open studio class.

Locations to include:

Kanapaha Gardens

Rum Island

Paynes Prairie State Park

Farms and Ranches

The Thomas Center

Lake Alice

Any place we all want to go!!

Fee: 30.00 Payable at each class.

Beverages and snacks provided

Supply list provided

Contact me to register: lindablondheim12@hotmail.com



Painters Tip


There are lots of plein air easels available these days. Your assignment is to try to wade through all of them and find just the right fit for your kind of painting needs. That is not an easy task. I have had dozens of boxes and easels over the years.

Part of your decision must be based on how much you are willing to tote around with you, whether you need to have lightweight equipment for hiking or packing in and out of locations, or whether you have a more civilized approach; Pulling your equipment along in a file box on wheels.

You need to understand whether your comfort zone requires chair, table,umbrella, bags of equipment, large numbers of brushes,paint and supplies etc., or whether you are a minimalist, who carries a paint box and a bottle of water, like me.

Another consideration is your personal aesthetic. There is an easel that I simply could not use because it is ugly. It's expensive and very popular but I hate the way it looks. I know this seems silly but it's not. We need to use equipment that is pleasing to us if we are to do our best work. I recently sold a box for practically nothing because I ordered it and realized after I used it that it was somewhat poorly made. I loved the features and the design, but the craftsmanship was very poor. That bothered me every time I used it. I like well made tools. That may not be important to you or an issue at all, but if it is, be sure to buy well made easels or pochade boxes.


The above factors will help you decide on the equipment which best suits your needs.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Three Sisters
5x7 inches
Watercolor on masonite
unframed
65.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painter's Tip

This is an easy way to make matting spacers for pastel or media you want to separate from the mat and glass in a frame.

Before you assemble the mat/art/frame, turn the mat upside down and cut narrow strips of mat board, one for each edge, smaller than the opening so they don't overlap on each edge. You are going to set them slightly back, away from the edge of the permanent mat and glue them down. If you want to make the space deeper, you can double the thickness of the strips. When it is dry flip over the mat and place on your artwork. There will be a space between the mat and the art due to the little strips. You won't see them. If you have pastels, the dust will fall between the mat and the support, keeping your mat cleaner.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Work in Progress
Lake Alice
8x10 inches

See my Paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Always Be Prepared

Yesterday I went out to paint at a local lake. I was able to meet two potential patrons because I was open to meeting people and willing to pause in my painting time to meet and talk to them about my work. I always carry business cards with me whenever I paint,and I sent them away with an invitation to come to my studio and visit. It's useful to buy one of the clear plastic brochure holders that stand up. You can put brochures and cards in it and sit it next to your easel. If people are shy, they can pick one up without speaking to you.

You never know when a casual meeting will bring a sale. I did a small unimportant favor a couple of years ago for a woman and yesterday she bought two paintings. The important point here is to expect that people are interested in what you do and to be open and ready to interact with others in a positive way.

If I want to paint by myself, I will stay in my studio or paint on private land. If I go to a public park I must expect to interact with others. Be realistic. Ignoring potential patrons is just not smart. Taking a few minutes to be friendly and kind to someone you meet while painting is not a lot of trouble and you may make their day brighter and more interesting. You never know when they will be in the market for a nice painting. If you are generous with your time, you will be the one they remember.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Dark Palms
Watercolor on WC paper
5x7 inches
unframed
40.00
Shipping 4.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE

Painters Tip


Retaining your signature across mediums

It's fun to use a lot of different mediums and I certainly do. I do think it is important to have a consistent look to your work and to the way you approach painting in various mediums. Of course they all have their own characteristics which make them unique. Regardless of the medium I use, you can always see my signature in the commonality of contrast and saturation. Whether I use watercolors, pastels, oils or acrylics, my work has high contrast and deep saturation. because of this, I feel comfortable in showing various mediums together in a body of work. it would not be advisable if my watercolors were pale and pastel and my oils were dark and intense. Because my approach to painting is similar in all mediums, you always know my work.

If your mediums are vastly different in approach, I suggest that you split them up into separate bodies of work for exhibition. You do not want your oils to overpower your pastels or watercolors. Of course, the pricing is going to be different, as oils and acrylics command a higher price than watercolor,pencil or pastels, but knowlegeable patrons expect that and understand the price differences.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Palm Icon Series
Rust Fronds
5x7 inches
watercolor on WC paper
unframed
40.00

Purchase HERE



Painters Tip

Understanding Color

Understanding the properties of color doesn't do much good unless you can put color to practical use.

Color can be used in several ways, including:

1. To give spacial quality to the pictorial field.
Color can supplement or substitute for value differences to give volume.
2. Color can create interest through the counter balance of movement in pictorial space.
3. To create mood and symbolize ideas.
4. To serve as a vehicle for the expression of mood.
5. To direct attention in a composition.
6. To accomplish aesthetic appeal through color relationships and harmonies.
7. To identify objects by describing their appearance.

I have found doing actual paintings in color mixing to be far more valuable than doing color swatches.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Palm Icons

Cabbage Palm
5x7 inches
watercolor on watercolor paper
Unframed

40.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE




Painters Tip

Using illustration to promote your art


There are lots of little ways to promote your art to others. Using fun illustration has always been a good way for me. I was recently invited to a cookie party for the holidays. We were encouraged to bring copies of our recipes to share with others. Instead of the usual index card, I printed two recipes per sheet of Index Paper and did a colorful illustration of cooking tools on each recipe. I simply cut the paper in half, making two recipes. I attached a business card to be back and I had instant promotion.





Illustrating all sorts of thank you notes, recipes, letters, forms and other items makes for interesting art to be passed around. Have you thought of illustrations on the bills you send to your local Dr, Dentist, Veterinarian, Insurance Company,and so forth? I also make homemade wrapping paper for gifts with colorful images on the paper. Illustration can be a wonderful way to promote your "real art". I'll bet you can think of dozens of ways to illustrate papers that will be seen by potential buyers.

They don't have to be elegant or detailed. The simplest, thumbnail sized line images are what I do, coloring them with markers, watercolor, or color pencil. They attract attention and they are clever. They remind people that you are an artist and perhaps your work could be useful for them.

I often do illustration work for people who want a unique party invitation, announcement, or memento for a special occasion. The best reason to do these illustrations is that they are just plain fun and good drawing practice for you.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Paynes Prairie
12x16 inches
oil on panel
gold frame
Purchase Here

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painting Tip


Painting on your own


I spent two hours today at Paynes Prairie State Park. I painted by myself with no stress or time line. No one to wait for, not coordinating meeting times or waiting for anyone else to start or finish. I was able to park and set up immediately, just my tripod,paint box and painting panel,enjoying the fall afternoon with full concentration.

Most women paint in groups or with buddies. If you have not painted out on your own, please do. It is a wonderful experience. It is truly the free est feeling you can have as an outdoor painter. There is no one talking or moving around. No one standing too close. No one standing in front of your good view. You can come and go as you wish, exploring possible painting sites or settling in right away to work.

Don't be afraid to go. With a few precautions you can be very safe by yourself.

State parks, college campuses, botanical gardens, city parks, private ranches and farms are all great places, as well as fish camps and boat ramps.

Keep your cell phone attached to you and your keys in your pocket. Don't wander too far from your car. Lock all doors except the driver's so you can jump in if you feel uncomfortable. Make sure someone knows the general area where you are going. Don't keep much money on your person; instead leave it in the car trunk.

I have painted all over the Southeastern USA by myself, traveling extensively alone. I have never had an incident. I am careful.

Get out there and enjoy yourself!!!

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Marion County
16x20 inches
oil on canvas
1200.00

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Using the right tools can make you more comfortable in painting. Supports are a good example. I really am not over fond of canvas on panel supports. I much prefer plain gessoed birch or masonite. I don't mind stretched canvas but I don't like it attached to a rigid surface. Who knows why? I just know that I produce better work on a stretched or plain hard surface. On the other hand, I love good linen attached to panels. Go figure.

I also paint better with flats than any other kind of brush. It's not that I can't paint with others, I just feel good with flats.

It's very important to paint with the tools that feel good because that is how you will produce the best paintings. I recently had a student at a workshop who was painting with a brush that she hated. I asked her how long she had been using the brush and she said for awhile. I told her to give it away or throw it away. Obviously, it bothered her to use it or the subject would not have come up. It was distracting her in a negative way.

Don't use paints or supplies that you don't like. Give them away and start fresh with new things you prefer. It may be a while before you will know what suits you best, but it will be well worth the search to find supplies you really like and that will help you to produce your best work.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Rust Colored Palms
Original Mail Art
envelope included

11.00
.60 shipping

Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


What about you?

I like to say that patrons are interested in the artist more than the art. It is important to them to be a part of their favorite artist's life. Studio visits, painting events, demos and other interactive events allow patrons to be involved in some way with their favorite artist. These days it is also possible to have an online friendship with a favorite artist. I have many many Internet friends who follow my career and my art.

One of the important ways to become a real person to patrons is through your web site. Including a work in progress, a weekly or monthly newsletter,and an interesting About the Artist Page will go far in helping you to make friends and promote your art to interested people. If you don't have a web site, start a blog instead. Write about your life as an artist and show photos of your paintings.

My advice is to be as honest and genuine as possible. Don't use a bunch of art speak or try to sound important. Talk about your work and the experience of it in plain language and people will come to read. Even if some people don't like your blog, others will. Talk about your process and technique, your travels, museums and galleries, and your studio. I love reading other artists' blogs. I think pouring your heart into you work and writing about it will attract patrons and friends.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Lake Alice
8x10 inches
oil on panel
SOLD

See more of my paintings HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip


Paint while scenes are fresh in your mind.....


Yesterday I started a painting of a scene I saw while traveling the day before. I took lots of photos to use as references for paintings but I wanted to start the painting while the memory was still fresh. I have found that working on paintings right away after seeing something I like, produces a better painting, than waiting for days, weeks or months to revisit the project.

Another helpful habit is to sit down while there or on your return and write notes about the place, the time of day, the weather conditions, angle of the sun, where the major elements were located, the color temperature of foliage and objects, what made you love it and want to paint it. This only takes a few minutes and these notes will be useful when you start the painting.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Sunrise
6x8 inches
oil on panel
Silver Frame
300.00
Purchase HERE

Art Notes Blog HERE

Painters Tip


Managing your Oil Palette


The cleaner your palette is, the cleaner the color will be in your painting. Messy palettes make muddy paintings.

I like to line my paints up by color groups at the top of my palette in ribbons of color, not blobs. With ribbons, you can pull color off the end, leaving the rest of the ribbon pure and clean. I pull color off and move down the palette to mix below the ribbons.





When you are learning to paint, try to put your paint ribbons out in the same place each time you paint. You will be less likely to dip in the wrong color to mix if you always know they are arranged the same way.

As the palette gets muddy below the ribbons, take a moment to wipe it off and clean that part of it, leaving the ribbons of paint as they are.
You will have a fresh palette to mix on again. I will often do this several times during a session, and the ribbons remain nice and clean for new mixing until they are gone.

Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Paynes Prairie
6x8 inches
oil on panel
silver frame
300.00

Purchase HERE


Art Notes Blog HERE


Painters Tip

Using watercolor for studies

This post is for painters who do not use Water Color as a medium


I have discovered that watercolor makes a great medium for miniature studies both in the field and in studio. All of you WC painters are laughing at me as you read this. DUH!!! I have never been a fan of the medium, so I have ignored the possibilities to my shame. I still could never see myself doing serious work with WC but as a study medium it is perfect for me or any other oil painter.

It works particularly well in small format because it is easy to control. One of the things I have never liked about WC is the lack of saturation in most paintings I see. They are pale and insipid, lacking the rich quality of color that acrylics or oils can give. In using the small format of 5x7 or smaller, I noticed that I am able to increase the saturtion quite easily by doing multiple layers in some areas, leaving other areas pale, creating interesting atmosphere.

My discovery of the potential of WC came thanks to my sponsor,Jack Richeson & Company, who sent me a couple of sets of Stephen Quiller Water Colors to try out. They sat around the studio for a couple of months. As many of you know, I do hundreds of tiny studies every year. I use various methods and medium for these miniature paintings, including markers,pens,acrylics, and colored pencils. One of my students gave me a nice little watercolor pad of paper to use for studies. One day I thought humm.... WC paper, WC paint. Why not give it a whirl?






Now I am hooked and having a splendid time doing miniatures with WC. I can see why it is such a popular medium because it is so much faster than other mediums. To do the same painting in acrylic or oil would take about twice the time. For field work it is a great way to do quick painting references you can take back to the studio and work from for oil paintings.

Old dogs can learn new tricks :>)