I have been gradually getting back into the studio for a short time each day. Although today I have waited just a bit too long and will not be able to get started before I have to leave at 1:30 for an appointment. Darn. Anyway it turns out that I can still paint. Good thing because things keep coming up; galleries need new work, a commission, etc. I am glad to be getting back to it, however, I also have to get things together for the residency, which is fast approaching. I just plunked down a big chunk of money for some supplies to take along. I needed some good drawing paper, more charcoal, woodless graphite pencils, 9B, which are one of my very favorite things to draw with, and sanguine conte crayons, which are #2. Getting ready for hours of figure drawing sessions!
I have also been trying to decide what kind of supports to take with me. Normally I paint on birch panels and I plan to take a variety of different sized panels along. However, they are pricey and god only knows what kind of crap work I may end up doing there so having some different options seems wise. I have some hardbord panels and in the past I have used primed paper, mounted on board and that was fine for studies. So I bought several pads of that (um, no time to be priming paper, in addition to the birch panels as well). I will have a variety of surfaces with me, plus there is an art supply store there as well, and I am feeling pretty good about my options. I had considered taking along a roll of primed canvas or linen in case I want to work on a larger scale, but I quickly became confused by all of the options so that bright idea is on hold. I don't like working on stretched canvas and I probably wouldn't want to stretch it later either. It would have to be mounted on board, which I haven't done in many years. Plus rolling up the painting to take it home seems wrong even though I know it is done all of the time. Any feedback on any of that?
Also, I stocked up on some new paint, which is always fun and bought a few new brushes while I was at it. I have finally found my favorite sable brushes-Old Holland makes a great kolinsky sable, wonderfully soft and they lose very few hairs. Expensive, but they last much longer than the others I have tried and not having to pick brush hairs out of the painting all of the time is worth it.
For some reason blogger will not download any of my jpegs. The little spinning thing freezes on the upload images page and then nothing happens. Is this me or the computer or is it blogger? I suppose it's mine......
9 comments:
Hi Tracey,
rolling up the paintings is no problem at all if you don't do it too narrow and only the right side outwards.
I do not like to paint on stretched canvas either, I paint directly on batted silk or currently on cotton canvas, simply placed (not even mounted) on a large birch panel that I mounted on a table so that it has a sloping plain.
I store all my paintings in a loosely rolled form with a piece of acid free paper between each in large paper tubes (the ones you normally ship). This way you don't need much space but your work is protected from dust etc. This also may serve you as a simple way for transportation. Another options is to use a plastic tube from the DIY store - this is even safer - you could close it with a self-made lid on both ends and tape it with duck tape etc.
Hope this helps...
This all sounds like such fun! Supply shopping, art residency... I usually paint on stretched canvas, but I've been considering the panels. They look like a nice working surface, but they are indeed a bit pricey. I bought a couple of small ones to play with.
As for images and blogger, that happened to me once a while ago, and somebody suggested that I clear out my internet cache. And it worked! Hope it works for you too - I miss seeing your images!
Thanks so much Petra, for the info-it helps a lot? What kind of canvas do you use?
Duh! I always forget about the empty the cache thing! Thanks for reminding me Angela. I did it and will try again tomorrow.
Hi Tracy,
I am using a very dense cotton fabric which is quite heavy but not quite as stiff as regular linen. In German it is called "Rips" - unfortunately I have no idea how this is called in English - could it be rib? Looks a bit like extremely fine cord. I buy this as raw material, unprimed. It has a lovely structure of its own that does not distract from even very fine painting - so after priming it is lovely to paint on and sturdy enough to not being forced to mount it. Check out on my website on a detail photo of a painting such as this from the "Reminiscences" series:
http://www.angelfire.com/art2/vyala_arts/painting/reminiscences.html
The advantage of this material is that you can still gallery wrap the fully painted canvas on a stretcher frame and - with some practise - get the edges even clean and nice, without breaking the paint.
This was very important for me.
I'm not sure what you are paying for your birch panels, but you can find some at Home Depot or Lowes (HD is cheaper) they run (HD) about 4$ for a 24x24 piece.Where is the residency going to be Tracey?
Explain the birch panels. Really, birch panels as in the previously mentioned Home Depot? It's expensive? (Seems like it would be cheaper.) As for paneling walls? Do you apply canvas to it....and how? It's been a while since I painted, and always used stretched canvas before. I want to start painting again. Explain why you prefer painting on panels. Like the blog, admire your work, wish me luck on the return-to-painting project. It's been clay for years..
Thanks Petra, I have not heard of that particular sort of canvas. Sounds great though and perfect for what you want it to do.
Michelle and Janet, I think I will do a post about this next week. There are very specific reasons as to why I can't just go to Home Depot and buy birch panel. And mostly it involves laziness on my part:)
Tracy, I am very slow about finding things like blogging, but I am darn glad I found yours! I, too, am interested in what you have to say about the panels. I also appreciate the thoughts on the brushes!
Have a lovely trip, and I will look forward to hearing...and seeing...all about it!
blooger plays games with me every day Tracy...
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