by John McLaren | Feb 23, 2025 | Characteristics, Techniques
I want to start this segment with a challenge. No matter what your medium is, pick any two paints, pencils, pastels, etc. and describe the difference/s between the two without any reference to their color. This exercise will help you understand your medium in...
by John McLaren | Feb 23, 2025 | Characteristics
Characteristics normally associated with watercolor paints include transparency, staining, granulation, light-fastness, value range, blossoming, etc. In this article I want to talk about the actual characteristics of pigments in order to further understand what...
by John McLaren | Nov 10, 2024 | Techniques
A ‘simple wash’ is a fairly homogeneous layer of paint (homogeneous in color and value). The key to getting a good simple wash is two-fold. Insure that the area stays wet enough. In this case wet enough means in the ‘flow state’. The ‘flow state’ means...
by John McLaren | May 10, 2024 | Protecting and Recovering Light
Introductory Notes and Self Congratulations There are many different names for this material. Resist, Masking Fluid, Frisket, Liquid Latex, etc. I will be referring to it simply as ‘resist’, just because this is quicker and easier to type. A warning about...
by John McLaren | May 10, 2024 | Protecting and Recovering Light
Resist (‘Masking Fluid’, ‘Frisket’, ‘Liquid Latex’, etc.) Testing Always test your resist with the paper you intend to use. Apply some full strength, and some diluted 1:1 with water. Let dry and lift. Try to determine if the paper is disturbed. Mix up a strong...
