It’s Flashback Friday and we’re feeling nostalgic for the series of comics we used to run, Wonton’s Art Lessons! Created by a former employee, the very talented artist, Lisa Kash. This comic is called, “Lesson 13: Types of Ink”. Enjoy!
Author: Celia
Wonton’s Art Lesson Comics: Art Therapy
It’s Flashback Friday and we’re feeling nostalgic for the series of comics we used to run, Wonton’s Art Lessons! We also miss a former employee, the very talented manga artist and creator of the series, Lisa Kash. This comic is called, “Lesson 33: Art Therapy”. Enjoy!
Isolated but not Alone: Lunch Doodles
For all artists staying safe at home, we salute you for all efforts to stay creative during these chaotic times. One of those artists sharing their creativity and processes online is Mo Willems, the Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence. In his first LUNCH DOODLE, Mo welcomes you into his studio at home and guides you through drawing activities using one of his favorite characters as inspiration. So grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and let’s doodle together and explore ways of writing and making.
“You might be isolated, but you’re not alone. You are an art maker. Let’s make some together.”
–Mo Willems
Lockdown Diary: Gold Mouf and “The Joy of Painting with Lute Ross”
We’ve lost track of which day of our lockdown this is. But thankfully we have enough paint and canvas in our home studio to follow along with this delightful video from Lute Ross, who would rather paint spaceships than trees. Something for everybody!
Draw with Nitram’s Liquid Charcoal
In this video, Cesar Santos shows how to use Nitram Liquid Charcoal to draw with liquid charcoal. Yeah, that sentence might not make any sense until you watch the video.
I received a new tube of Nitram’s Liquid Charcoal to try it out. I decided to share my attempt with you all. Here is a time lapse demonstrating the whole process from start to finish of how I draw with Nitram’s liquid charcoal.
Cesar Santos
Happy Inktober! Meet the New Piñata Alcohol Ink Colors
5 NEW reasons to love Piñata Color: Golden Yellow, Pink, Coral, Blue-Violet, and Teal! Piñata Colors are fast-drying, super vibrant alcohol inks for non-porous surfaces like glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, YUPO®, leather, polymer clay and resin. Indelible and impervious to water, Piñata Colors clean up and re-wet with alcohol, allowing for unique effects and techniques not easily achieved with water-based inks.
WHY 5 NEW COLORS? Some colors are more challenging to mix from scratch than others. This is especially true of complex colors like teal and coral. Alcohol ink artists have been asking for these colors, and Jacquard is proud to announce their release.
NEW PIÑATA EXCITER: Jacquard is also proud to introduce the NEW Piñata Overtones Exciter Pack! This collection of 9 alcohol inks includes the 5 NEW colors + Blanco Blanco, Copper, Brass, & Pearl. The Piñata Overtones Exciter Pack makes a superb companion to the original Piñata Exciter Pack, offering a complex palette to compliment the more elementary colors in the original set.
Watch below as artist Annie Morcos (@AnniesArtStudio) creates a resin petri project featuring the new Piñata Colors!
InkTober 2019 Official Prompt List
🕷️ Ready for InkTober? Above is the InkTober 2019 prompt list, in case you wanted to join in the inky fun. 🕸️
InkTober rules:
1) Make a drawing in ink (you can do a pencil under-drawing if you want).
2) Post it
3) Hashtag it with #inktober and #inktober2019
4) Repeat
Them’s the rules. We urge you to tag us during the month of October so we can help you to show off your inky creations.
Warm Welcome from the Fashion District BID
Our friends at the Fashion District Business Improvement District (FDBID) @lafashiondistrict shot this fun video to welcome us and to introduce us to the neighborhood! 🧡
Thank you Miranda and the entire marketing team at the FDBID, you guys rock! 😘
David Arquette Teaches Bob Ross Technique @ Raw Materials to benefit Inner-City Arts
We’ve been lucky enough to get some press on the Bob Ross Painting Class that actor David Arquette taught at Raw Materials (thanks to Emmy-winning reporter Nic Cha Kim at Spectrum News!) but we felt it was important for you to know, as mentioned in the news story, that the proceeds from the class went to support one of the nation’s most effective arts education providers, Inner-City Arts. Not familiar with the organization? Check out this video:
We recently visited Inner-City Arts‘ beautiful, award-winning campus in Downtown Los Angeles, and came away so inspired. We are even more committed to continue supporting them and invite you to join us in advocating for arts education for our communities.
All About Gamblin Oil Painting Ground
Oil painters are increasingly invested in the craftsmanship of their artwork. An accomplished and experienced oil painter recently asked us about Gamblin Ground, and why they would use it instead of or in addition to regular gesso. Creating a strong foundation for imagery is an important consideration, and Gamblin Oil Painting Ground creates the perfect foundation for contemporary oil painters. Below are notes on the key characteristics of Gamblin Ground, application tips, and notes about shelf life.
Gamblin Ground
Gamblin Oil Painting Ground makes a strong, bright, non-absorbent foundation for oil paintings. Gamblin Ground is formulated from alkyd resin, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate – titanium dioxide gives opacity, while calcium carbonate gives tooth for strong adhesion.
Gamblin Ground makes a brighter and less-absorbent ground layer compared to acrylic “gesso” – meaning that oil paint layers on top retain better color saturation. Gamblin Ground can be applied to a “pre-primed” acrylic gesso canvas or panel to make a good painting support a great one.
Not every day is Christmas…
We all have a collection of less-than-successful paintings that shouldn’t see the light of day. Since Gamblin Ground is oil-based, it can be used to cover old paintings so the support can be re-used. We recommend roughing up the old painting with sandpaper or steel wool, followed by wiping the surface with a rag wet with Gamsol before the Ground is applied. This will ensure proper adhesion.
Application
Because the percentage of pigments is so much higher than in acrylic “gesso”, painters need only apply TWO thin coats of Gamblin Ground instead of the recommended four coats of acrylic. Fabric supports should be sized with PVA Size before applying Gamblin Ground.
Gamblin Ground is thicker than acrylic gesso, and requires different application techniques, which are demonstrated on Gamblin’s Video Demos page.
Shelf Life, Formulation Improvements.
We have heard from painters who’ve experienced Gamblin Ground skinning over in the can, and Gamblin has taken steps to mitigate this by managing formula solvent levels and drying rate. They have also improved the Ground by lowering its odor. Ongoing tests show that formula adjustments over the past two years have resulted in reduced skinning and improved shelf life.
Still, Oil Painting Ground is formulated to dry faster than oil colors, and it doesn’t discriminate between drying on a canvas and in the can. Gamblin date stamps the bottom of each can. Painters, please remove the wax paper seal after the first use, drizzle a little Gamsol on the surface of the Ground and cover with a plastic seal (i.e. Ziplock baggie cut to fit). This will help prevent skinning in the can by limiting the Ground’s contact with oxygen.