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Category: watercolor supplies

10 Tips in 10 Days – A Well Rounded Palette

10 Tips in 10 Days – A Well Rounded Palette

I often have students asking me what colors to put on their watercolor palette.  I like to have a well rounded palette so that Each color on the color wheel is represented.  
I designed a kit with Daniel Smith Art Supplies called the Jacqueline Newbold Watercolor Traveling Kit.  It is a perfect way for beginning watercolor artists to fill their color palette.   This kit has it all (just add a pencil!).  I picked 12 colors, one for every color on the color wheel, my favorite folding palette, several brushes, a zippered case and an Arches watercolor journal. This would be the perfect companion to go with with my new DVD, Art Journals-On-the-Go.  You will be able to create beautiful, colorful paintings with the colors I recommend!  

Her is the list of the 12 starter colors:
1.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Lemon Yellow2.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Phthalo Yellow Green3.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Phthalo Green Yellow Shade4.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Phthalo Turquoise5.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Cerulean Blue Chrome6.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – French Ultramarine Blue7.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Carbazole Violet8.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Quinacridone Violet9.       Daniel Smith Watercolor – Permanent Red10.    Daniel Smith Watercolor – Permanent Orange11.    Daniel Smith Watercolor – Quinacridone Burnt Orange12.    Daniel Smith Watercolor – Hansa Yellow Deep


More Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Watercolor Artists

More Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Watercolor Artists

I just adore this tiny watercolor palette!  It is called the Pocket Palette.  It comes with 14 iddy biddy magnetic pans to hold the paint that can be removed and replaced with other colors.  It is about the size of a business card (3 5/8″ x 2 1/2″) but holds lots of paint!

 Here it is waiting to be filled with new fresh watercolor paints.

I used it to paint this colorful background in my Gratitude Journal.  The mixing area was so wonderful – the paints did not bead up like they do on some palettes.  I was thinking what a wonderful gift this would be for the traveling artist!

Creating a Color-Filled Day!

Creating a Color-Filled Day!

My All About Color class has just started in my Tumalo Art Studio.  We are learning how to use the colors on our watercolor palettes and the color wheel to create harmonious paintings.  Since I am a color artist this is always one of my favorite classes to teach!
I would like to share with you some ideas over the next few weeks on how you can learn to get to know the colors on your palette and use the more effectively.
Here is my first suggestion – Make a painted color swatch of each of the colors on your palette.  Label them with the manufacturer’s name, the pigment number and the light fastness.  Color charts are fun and relaxing to do!
1.  For the manufacture’s name, I use abbreviations such as DS for Daniel Smith and WN for Winsor Newton.
2.  The pigment number can be found on the tube and also can be found on art supply web sites.  For Winsor Green, Blue Shade, the pigment color is PG37.  I love to collect this information because as it turns out, Winsor Green, Blue Shade is the same pigment as Daniel Smith’s Phthalo Green, Blue Shade.  I don’t need them both on my palette.
3.  Light Fastness.  This will tell you how permanent the pigment color is and it’s resistance to fade or change over time.
Here are some photos of our class working on their color charts.

Keeping Organized

Keeping Organized

Occasionally I get questions from people asking about products that I used during the filming of my DVD, Art Journals on-the-go.  Several of you have wondered about the zippered bag that I like to use to keep my journal and supplies in.  I buy them through Daniel Smith Art Supplies and here is the link to my favorite size:  Clear Vinyl Art Bag.  They are very handy if you are traveling.  I prepare a bag before I get on the plane and then it is easy just to pull the bag out and it has my pencil, eraser, journal, small palette, a couple brushes and whatever else I may need to do a little project.   I do believe that I have every size, but this is the one I use the most.

 Clear Vinyl Art Bag, 10in x 13in Content Size

Just recently they have several that have handles and a pocket.  I just bought the one below and think it will be very handy too.  Vinyl Art Bag with Handles:
Alvin Deluxe Clear Mesh Bag with Handles, 12 in x 16 in

This page shows all the different sizes:  http://www.danielsmith.com/Item–i-G-479-015

WARNING – the larger bags are really big!  I suggest getting out your measuring tape before you order to see which size fits your needs.