Sunday Secrets #20: Hue

A question was posed in my class this past week that I thought I would address as my Sunday Secret.

The question was :

What is the difference between hue and regular watercolor colors?

Many of you have probably noticed that some colors come as hues, i.e. cobalt hue for cobalt blue or manganese hue for manganese blue.

A hue is a color that is similar to the original but an ingredient (usually the main pigment) has been substituted.

This substitution is made either because the original pigment is toxic or to keep price down.

The color of a hue is quite similar to the original color.

However, I have noticed that since the original pigment is no longer present, the property of the paint may be slightly different.

For instance, the hue may not be as staining or as granulating as the original.

Both Cobalt hue and Manganese hue are common since the minerals has been removed from paints due to enviromental concerns and toxic by-products. 

Spraying the Edge

To get all those wonderful effects and white spaces left behind when spray you need to remember a couple of things.

First of all, don't soak and stretch your paper before you spray.

Soaking your paper will take the sizing out of the paper.

You need the sizing left in the paper so that the water and paint will skip across the paper.

You can tape down the paper to keep it in place though.

The second thing to do is to spray the edge of the paint or puddle of paint.

Spraying in the middle of a puddle of paint will only make the puddle larger and add more water to the paint that is already there.

Spraying the edge will get it moving and help it to skip across the paper.  

Paint Goes Where There Is Water

The really cool part about spraying paint is that the paint will only travel into areas where there is water.

The white on the above painting was not masked out.

It occurred because the water that I sprayed did not land in those areas.

Spray It!

For some really fun effects, pour some paint onto your paper, and spray it with a spray bottle.

Use one that has a dribbly harder spray as opposed to a soft mist.

You can push your paint around and spray it into other parts of your paper and other colors.

It is exciting to watch how the paint and water react to each other.

Listen to Some Music

I find that listening to some of my favorite music helps me get in the zone for painting.

It also helps when doing different types of painting.

Something fast and upbeat is good for painting quickly.

Calm classical music works for more detail and when I need to stay relaxed.

Sometimes it helps you get in the zone so well that you don't even notice when the music stops.

That is when you know that you have entered a world of your own.

Using A Blow Dryer

You may use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process when painting.

But please keep this in mind:

When doing large washes or pours, let your painting rest for a 5-10 minutes before using the blow dryer.

This is to let the water distribute more evenly and let the paint settle into the paper.

Blow drying when it is still too wet will push the water around and you will get unsavory things happening.

Also realize that blow drying will actually lighten the color.

It really is best to let things dry naturally whenever possible.

Keeping A Point

Every once in a while when you tap the water out of your brush,

try to give it a little twist and twirl. 

This will help keep a nice point for when you do fine lines.

Sunday Secrets #19

Recently I have been doing painting demonstrations for different art groups around town.

One question that I always get when I am demonstrating is:

"What kind of brush are you using?"

This is usually when I am using my absolute favorite brush.

It is a Raphael Series 8404 in size 6.

Unfortunately I cannot find it in Canada.

(Sad face)

I LOVE this brush!

It is a pure kolinsky sable brush so it holds a lot of water and paint.

It will also slurp up a lot of water or paint when doing wet in wet.

It keeps a beautiful point and has great spring to it.

It is an extension of me and the thought of living without it puts me into panic mode.

(which goes against one of my suggested guidelines)

Now before you go buying out all the Raphael brushes,

please remember to leave some for me!

You really don't want to see me in panic mode!

Go For A Walk

Now that the weather is getting better, it is a good time to get outside with your camera.

Take a walk and see what you can see.

Spend some time exploring the world outside.

Be inspired by what is around you.

Then take that inspiration back into the studio and into your paintings.

Remove All Evidence

Every once in a while I get a critic that comes along and likes to point out that my painting is different from my photograph.

This critic will then continue to compare my painting to the photograph.

And not in a way that will help me improve my painting skills.

(you know the kind I am talking about- the kind that has never tried to put paint to paper!)

I try to explain that it is my artistic interpretation of what I see and feel in the photograph.

But to no avail.

The critic will always remain just that

A Critic.

 Don't give these types of critics the opportunity to find fault with your painting or drawing.

Don't let them compare your skills to a camera's.

Your painting represents more than that photograph does.

You no longer need that photo.

Rip it up.

Recycle it.

Delete it from your files if you must.

Remove all evidence of your photograph from prying eyes.

The real image to be cherished is your work of art.

And the joy you felt while painting it.