Fall II 2024

 Wonderful Watercolor from Ukraine

A few months ago, I saw a paint box called Rose Gallery. It was new to me and looked interesting. The rating on Amazon was through the roof and best of all, it was affordable. Noticing that the paints were made in Ukraine, I thought why not. This could be my way of supporting the country. Besides it was only $20.

Of all paints I have (I have many), this watercolor set offers the most brilliant and intense color I have ever used. In fact, the colors are so full-bodied you could mistake it for gouache without the chalky binder.

Below is a Neurographica piece I did recently using Rosa paints. I expected the paints to lose their brilliance once they dried, not so with this brand. 

Tree of Chaos 

However, there is a disadvantage to painting with heavily pigmented medium. Since we're all used to paints that deliver faint colors, which we have to bring to life with several layers, Rosa doesn't perform that way. So it requires a learning curve. 

In other words, instead of approaching the paint as we would typically do, we have to first dilute the paint more so than usual. I'm still big on layering, so I greatly water down the paints before I place them on the paper. From there I can layer or let the paint stand on it's own. Notice, in above piece, the flowing river (light turquoise) in the lower right hand corner. This was done by diluting with water, no layers.

I am so impressed with this brand, I actually bought a larger set. I would highly recommend Rosa Gallery watercolor paints to anyone. They are a fun experience.

Note: Next issue, I will talk about Neurographica art (see above), which is a great meditative art form . It's a great way to maintain mindfulness. To give you some background, I tumbled this summer and have post concussion syndrome. This artform is supposed to help with your brain neurons. I can't say I'm getting cured anytime soon, but I do find that my brain seems a bit more relaxed after a neurographic workout. More next issue.

What coming up in the studio?

The second half of the fall class session will begin on October 23rd and only costs $99 for five weeks (around $20 per class). As this is student-driven program, the students have come up with the following topics:  masks, haunted houses, abstract trees, turkeys and pumpkins/corn stalks. We'll be doing mixed media. Sounds like fun!

If you're interested in attending, please email me: jjgoodell@gmail.com

That's all for now!

Be careful who you trust, for even the Devil was once an Angel. Bianca Scardoni

Fall 2024 Newsletter

 Pan Pastels. A unique alternative

As I write this blog it is hot outside. I am soooo looking forward to fall. I like the cool, crisp mornings and sweater weather in the afternoon. Besides, my flower beds are reaching "spent-hood," so it's time to put in some autumn plants and decorations.

Last summer I wrote an article on soft pastels, providing lots of information regarding drawing (painting) with pastels, including how to work with pastel sticks, pastel pencils and even the best paper (ground) to use. I touched upon a fairly new product called Pan Pastel and how it serves as a good alternative to working with traditional methods.

The pans
The biggest difference of Pan Pastel is namely the pan where the color lies. Made of the same ingredients as the stick and pencil, Pan Pastel comes in fairly good-sized pan, packed with solid soft pastel (some refer to this as chalk). See below to view one such pan.

Normally, when creating a pastel painting, you use your stick to lay down the color. I may also use cotton swabs or a blending with my cots covered finger. However when using PanPastels, you use applicators.

I like the intensity of the colors. Using applicators also seem to give me more control. But best of all, I don't have pastel dust building up on my picture. If I do, it's minor and I simply take my ground (paper) and tap it against a slip sheet I have below.

The color palettes

The pastels come in a handy pallet that I can use immediately. There are several themes: basic colors (see below), sketch & tone, earth colors, metallic, skin tones, designer color and more.

Completed Project

Just recently I created a still life with an apple and some cherries. It was fun and easy to create. I would highly recommend this product. BTW, you can see a demo on this on my YouTube channel.

What's Coming this Fall (2024)

Students have selected an autumn theme, so we will be covering leaves, gourds, landscapes, sunflowers and holiday cards, using graphite pencil, colored pencil, pastels, watercolor and charcoal. It should be fun. 

Classes will be conducted within a five-week session. The session fee is $99. Each class within the session is $20 (give or take a dollar). Individual classes (taken separately) are $25 each. See details below.