QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
Questions, answers, facts and materials. Lots of good information is on this page.
If you have any questions that are not easily answered here, please get in touch as I would really like to hear from you. I will personally answer emails.
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QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
WHAT PAINTS DO I NEED.
You do not need to buy any materials. You can just watch and learn. If you would like to paint along please scroll down for the materials list.
IS THE COURSE SUITABLE FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS.
Absolutely. I have taught Colour Mixing and Theory at Bradness Gallery to complete beginners for many years, and that is why I know their concerns and likely areas of knowledge or missing knowledge. This is why I have included the sections on paints and materials. The Course is geared towards absolute beginners but experienced artists will take away different things. It is a bit like a children’s book that can be enjoyed on a different level by the adults. This is the course for anyone, whatever their experience level who wants to fully understand mixing colours in paints.
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED.
None at all. The basics about Art Materials and Different Paint mediums are covered for those you need them. Artists who know about materials can just skip this section.
WHAT PAINTING MEDIUM IS IT SUITABLE FOR
I myself work in and teach in oils, watercolour, ink, fabric paints, acrylic, pencil and pastel. Most of the colour mixing videos will be in acrylic, simply because it shows up very well on video. However, we will make sure that you understand the differences of each medium so whatever you like to work in, this course will be good for you. There are individual sections on working in watercolours, inks, gouache, oils and acrylics
HOW LONG DO I HAVE ACCESS TO THE COURSE.
You have full access to the course for 3 years and long term access to the Facebook group. If for some reason, you have been unable to complete the course in 3 years, please e mail me to ask for an extension. The reason that I have not put ‘lifetime access’ is that having looked into it, this is completely impossible for anyone to guarantee for personal and technical reasons. Because of this, to guarantee The Course for 3 years is much more realistic.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO UP LOAD IMAGES OF MY WORK TO FACEBOOK.
With an apple phone, you go to Photos. Tap on the photo of the image that you want to put on facebook. On the bottom left of the screen, there is an icon which is a square with an up arrow coming out of the top of the square. Tap on this and you have the option to share your photo in various places. Tap on Facebook and then on our group.
If for any reason this doesn’t work or you have a different type of phone, I find the best way is to put the question into your favourite search engine and there is usually a helpful answer online or a You Tube video. This way you can put in the make of your phone etc.
I AM NOT FAST AT FOLLOWING AND FEAR THAT I WON’T KEEP UP
This is easy. Each video is clearly named with what it covers. You can pause the video at any time and rewind. You can also go to settings on each video. If you click on the cog sign you can play the video at a slower speed. This is a great facility that I often use when learning.
THE AIM OF THE COURSE
By the end of the 8 hours of real time, paint along Colour Mixing videos, you will understand colour mixing in a calm, competent way so that you feel completely in control of mixing any colour that you want to. You will know what you need to do to mix it.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
THE MATERIALS YOU NEED FOR THE COURSE
ACRYLIC PAINTS TO PAINT ALONG
photo courtesy Jackson’s Art
OR WATERCOLOURS IF YOU PREFER
photo courtesy Winsor and Newton
A BRUSH
A SKETCHBOOK
photo courtesy Pink Pig
There are an infinite manufacturers of paint manufacturers so I can’t cover those I don’t personally know.
My recommendations are the makes I personally like and am used to using. They are good makes.
There would be an ease in using the same as me because variations can occur but don’t go out and spend money if you have different ones already. Just be aware that there may be slight differences. You will still understand the Colour Mixing principles and I way I teach you will understand any differences.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
MATERIALS YOU WILL HAVE AT HOME
2 WATER JARS: You need two so you can rinse your dirty brush in one and one has clean water for mixing new colours. Keep changing the water so it is clean.
RAGS: Any old torn up rags
WHITE PLATE OR WHITE PALETTE FOR WATERCOLOURS: My preference is an old white china dinner plate but white china or plastic in the form of a plate or palette is ideal because you can see your colours clearly. You can get these from a charity shop.
SKETCHBOOK
You can get sketchbooks for all different purposes with all different types of art paper. Some are for drawing with pencils and some for painting. As we will be painting, we need thicker paper than if you are drawing. Once again, if you have one at home then use that, you don’t need to buy one especially. If yours has paper less than 300 grams then work from one page may show through to another so you could just use alternate pages.
If you are going to buy one then my preference is ring bound for ease of use because they lie flat. Mine is A3 300 gram watercolour paper. My sketchbooks have a grain and are what is called ‘Not Hot Pressed’. Hot pressed paper is flat and smooth and is also good to use. It is personal choice.
BRUSHES
Sadly most brushes are not the same quality that they used to be. Mike still has his watercolour brush from college over 40 years ago.
BRUSH FOR COLOUR MIXING Always use a small brush to mix paint otherwise you waste paint. My choice would be something like the Pro Arte Prolenghi 009 size 4 or 5 – filbert shape.
You only need one small brush for colour mixing and to create your sketchbook.
BRUSHES AND KNIVES FOR COLOUR MIXING PROJECTS AND EXERCISES TO PRACTISE DIFFERENT PAINTING TECHNIQUES AND TO EXPAND WAYS TO MIX COLOUR ON THE PAPER OR CANVAS
You may like extra brushes for the projects.
For watercolour painting:-
Cheaper – e.g. Pro Arte Prolene Plus 8,4 and 1
Expensive – e.g. Pro Arte Renaissance Sable sizes, 8, 4 and 1. We use these on our Flower Painting courses. They are lovely brushes but expensive.
For acrylic painting: – e.g. Pro Arte series A hog sizes 10, 6 and 2 filbert shape
RGM Scuola Wooden handle Artist palette knives – rectangular blade are my favourite knives.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
PAINT COLOURS
The colour mixing videos are all in acrylics because it shows up so well on screen. Below are the colours you need to mix along with me. I have listed the colours I would choose in watercolour as well for information and to practise in the projects and exercises and for those who are interested what to buy.
ACRYLIC PAINT COLOURS
I use Golden acrylics. These are top quality. System 3 are good student colours and cheaper.
Main colours you need
Cadmium red medium
Cadmium yellow medium
Titanium white
Yellow ochre or raw sienna
Lemon yellow
Ultramarine blue or Cobalt blue
Quinacridone magenta or Sennelier Deep Magenta or Golden medium magenta
Burnt Umber
Teal or Permanent green
Ivory black
Extra colour
Titanate yellow
WATERCOLOUR PAINT COLOURS
I use Winsor and Newton. Buy professional colour if you can or the student quality called Cotman if your budget is less.
Main colours you need
Quinacridone Magenta or permanent rose
Lemon yellow deep
Cerulean blue
Cobalt turquoise light
Cadmium red
Cadmium yellow
French Ultramarine
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Umber
Extra colours
Ivory black
Viridian
Permanent Sap green
Cobalt blue
Raw sienna
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
STAY WET PALETTE FOR PAINTING WITH ACRYLICS
STAY WET PALETTE FOR ACRYLICS: A Stay Wet palette is vital for acrylics. If you use an ordinary palette or plate then acrylic paints can dry out before you have a chance to use them and you waste paint. You can make your own using any form of plastic open box with raised sides and a lid. For example a plastic Ferrero Rocher box once you have eaten the chocolates (!), or a simple plastic storage box. You can use standard sponge kitchen clothes to maintain moisture. I do use the proper stay wet sheets.
RIGHT A short 5 minute video on using a Stay Wet Palette
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, FACTS AND MATERIALS
If this page has not covered what you need to know do, please get in touch through our CONTACT FORM. CLICK HERE.
