Latest Paintings

Here are my latest efforts

Schminke Liquid Charcoal

You may wonder why, on a Watercolour Blog,  Liquid Charcoal is the subject of this piece? The following will explain why.

This new product from Schminke isn't a watercolour or is it? There are three variations. Grape Seed Black, Cherry Pit Black and Peach Stone Black. The paints are produced by "charring" the ingredients listed above and combining them with gum arabic. The result is something similar in texture (and smell) to gouache.

The reviewer states they can " be added to a watercolour palette". When I checked the price on Jacksons website I noticed they stated the pigment used was "Pbr8". I then went to the pigment database and  this is what it said. "Pbr8 Vine Black is an impure carbon of organic and mineral origin.....It can contain substantial impurities, is very staining and has high tinting strength". Are the "substantial impurities' a problem? `What this means in terms of final result I don't know.

The article introducing this product is on Jacksons - Art in the Studio" blog. This is an excellent blog from Jacksons with regular articles, including much of interest.  The article is question is  by  Evie Hatch followed by a review by a Russian artist called Anna Zadorozhaya. I don't know what her connection is with Jacksons or why they regularly have her reviews, which include Jacksons own brands.

Finally price. This product is available  in 35 ml tubes at £17.80p currently discounted to £16,02p. Unless  someone can explain   otherwise it seems to me this is a form of watercolour paint. My friend Zvonimir considers the Nitram Liquid Charcoal similar to  a watercolour when he looked at the composition and - to me - this seems even more so. I am very tempted to try some.

 For some strange reason the paintings only appear when you click on "Read More" Why? You tell me!

Watercolour Paintings 76

My Latest

 Here are my latest efforts .

"Whats he after?"

Another Hare

Assiniboine Man

Nasturtiums

Latest Works

 Here are my latest.

"Another Hare"

"Goldfinch"

"Big Boy"

"Feeding Time"

"Mountain Man"

"Black Bear"

"Nasturtiums"

"Another Hare"

"Long Tailed Tit"

I;'ve slightly caricatured this delightful small bird.

"Unfinished"

Not only unfinished but now  scrapped.

I might do a little more on this or just scrap it. A big decision😓

 

 

 

Watercolour Paintings 75

 Here are Februaries batch. Some stunning and very colourful paintings amongst them.

Richard Stevens

Charles Reid

Rachel

Olga Moskaleva

Andrew Geeson

Jen Buckley

Paul Jackson

Olga Moskaleva

Susan Hay Curtis

Violaine Abbatucci

Carmen Stam

Michelle Lin

Virgil Carter

Tina Klitgard Ericksen

Andrew Geeson

A nice batch with hopefully something that attracts everyone. Hope you like them.

My Latest

 Here are my most recent efforts. 

"Robin"

"Male Bullfinch"

"Amerindian Man"

A Study in Pink"

"Red Crossbill"

"Buffalo Headdress- Amerindian"

"Greenfinch"

Greenleaf & Blueberry

 I recently came across an interesting - indeed fascinating - small producer of 'artisanal watercolours' and other artists materials including 'hand carved brushes". It seems to be a two person operation , although I may be wrong here, described as 'artist and chemist owned'. They describe themselves as 'producing handmade supplies for the travelling artist". I might add only for very well-heeled ones! It's American and all prices are in dollars. The website is beautifully produced and highly professional. The effort and range of products  is extraordinary given the small size of the operation. They have a blog and also run workshops and other things.

All paints are single  natural pigments, lightfast with no added fillers etc. They are ;artist and chemist formulated:. The intention is 'for people looking for something different'. This is no two people producing stuff in a small backyard shed. The paints are produced in small batches and several were out of stock so somebody is buying them. Would I like to try them? I certainly would but while I don't plead poverty these are paints for millionaires.

The paints are produced in half and full pans and here comes the intake of breath bit! Prices of full pans  range from $21.60 to $53.50! Half pans range from $12.00 to $27.90. Would I like to try these paints? I certainly would but I'm afraid the targetted customer is obviously someone who is far, far  more wealthy than I am. Not for hobby painters. I have just received a Jacksons order comprising 7 tubes of paint, 6 Winsor and Newton 14ml and one Lukas 24ml together with a Saunders Waterford 16" x 12" block (now over £37!). This little lot cost just over £100. Fortunately my Xmas and birthday requests included Jacksons vouchers. 

Out of pure interest the website is well worth viewing. It is .greenleafblueberry.com so do have a look.

Latest Paintings

Here are my latest efforts. All 16: x 12 except where stated.

"Lord of the Savannah"

"Lord of the Plains"

"Hellebores"

"Hare"

Amerindian Man

"The Hare has it"

"Perky" 12" x 9"