2022 My Favorite Things, Studio and More Edition
My Favorite Things Part One
Many of you have asked about what type of video and tech tools I use most often when recording my classes along with what are some of my must-have tools in the studio. So, I thought I’d do a recap of what I’m loving currently in case you were in the market for any of these gems.
With the exception of one of these items, I use them all regularly and would highly recommend them. The only item I don’t use currently is the easel I’m showcasing first on this list, but it is on my wish list. Actually, that’s not true, it’s on its way to me as we speak!!!
I can’t wait to get it all set up in my studio!
Thank you Christmas cash :)
Did you know my newest online class is open for PRE-REGISTRATION?
Sticks and Stones begins on January 25th, 2023
Click the image to learn more!
**Note-purchases made from the recommendations may result in a small commission from my affiliate partners. This will not add any extra charge to you and is a way you can support my art business and this blog.
Let’s start off with the one piece of equipment that I don’t have but am looking forward to receiving. I chose to order this easel because the price was more than fair, the reviews were positive and it holds large canvases both vertically and flat. FLAT was my goal as I have limited space and often work on multiple pieces at a time. My table is not always cleared off when I might need to work on a large piece in a flat position. I can’t work on the floor anymore because of my hip and back issues so what’s a girl to do???
Order an H-easel to solve those problems, that’s what!
Adjustable, on wheels and tilts so you can use horizontally/laying flat or vertically.
8 Oz Food storage containers to mix your own paint colors.
If you are serious about color mixing and trying to do more unique work that allows you to stand out from your peers, these tubs are great to store those color mixtures.
In addition to mixing my own colors, I also like to change the viscosity of my paints to match whatever it is I'm trying to acheive. You'll see one of those mediums later on in this post. There probably are less expensive brands out there which I have ordered to be honest, but I've found the containers are often flimsy and the lids don't fit properly.
Silicone Shaper Tools
I still love my catalyst wedge #6 to add large expanses of paint onto the canvas without using a brush but my second favorite grouping of tools to do the same thing (but in various sizes) are these awesome silicone shaper tools.
You can buy the shapers individually or as a 3 - 4-set package. I chose this bundle because it includes the larger shaper brush which I find I use most often.
If you love line work as much as I do, be sure to add these to your painting toolbox!
Learn more over here.
Assorted Mediums
I mentioned previously that I have really come to enjoy creating my own color mixtures of paint as well as playing around with the viscosity (thinness or thickness) of paints, so you might be wondering what I have been using to create the mixtures. In addition to glazing medium, matte medium, and gel medium; my newest additions to the medium collection are the following.
Each serves a slightly different purpose. Read on for more info:
Gac 100
This medium is both a primer and an extender. You can use this to prime wooden surfaces prior to your gesso layer in order to protect your paint from Yellowing. Or, you could use it to thin down paint slightly without losing the integrity of the paint. I often use this to create more fluid paints out of soft body paint.
Learn more by going here.
High Flow Medium
As many of you know, I love using Golden’s High Flow Paint as the colors once dry are brilliant and have more sheen then acrylic inks. But, the draw back is having to purchase another line of products to use these thin, brilliant, lush paints. Now you can essentially make your own high flow paints using other fluid paints (or color mixes you have on hand) as easy as drip, drop, and mix!
If you are adventurous and want to check this medium out, be sure to go over here for more information.
Flow Aid
This medium is the juiciest of juicy mediums, to better describe what it does is to imagine brilliant drips or runny but colorful lines in your painting. You may have previously used water to achieve a runny look or very wet style of paint, but I would caution against using too much water in your paint additives. Use too much water and you will end up with unstable paint, that is dull and lifeless. Imagine adding too much water to your sauce or soup. A little may help tone down the flavor, but too much will take the flavor right out of it. This pretty much is the same thing water does to paint. My only beef about this product they only make small bottles. How come #liquitex??
Learn more about Flow Aid over here.
Pouring Medium
If you are into the paint pour craze, you probably already have this medium on hand. You can also use it to add thick honey-like paint onto your canvas. Just be sure to mix properly or you might find your paint ‘crazing’ aka, cracking. I use the pouring medium in a slightly different way, and that is as a glossy finish in lieu of resin. Now, you do have to be careful when doing this as it’s as hard as resin so you have to ensure the topcoat is totally dry before applying the final varnish.
There is one more way I use this medium and that will be revealed in my new class, “Sticks and Stones” which begins January 25th, 2023.
Learn more about Pouring medium by going here.
Spray Varnish
My last entry for Part One of this list is not a medium, but it is a finisher. That’s loosely translated into a “Varnish”. I do use a brush on varnish for my larger paintings, not my smaller ones. BUT, I do use a Matte Aerosol varnish for all of my paintings.
Why is that? If you like to use water-soluble products such as charcoal, Neo Color II crayons, chalk pastels, colored pencils, Inktense pencils, Stabilo pencils, etc., then you need a product that will set those drawing mediums so that they do not smear or come off in any way from your final painting. If you add a brush on varnish without ‘fixing’ these products, then you will have a mess and likely ruin your work. Trust me, I have done it before.
Liquitex Varnish
I prefer matte, but they do usually come in matte, satin, or gloss.
Learn More here.
I usually put 2 coats of Aerosol varnish on all of my pieces to ensure they are properly set. While there are several brands on the market, I mostly use either Liquitex, Winsor Newton, or Golden. Winsor Newton may be changing packaging because it’s often sold out when I go to order. Golden’s spray varnish has gone up substantially in price so my recommendation is to go with Liquitex varnish as it works just as well and it has the wide dispersion cap that I feel is best for this type of application.
Be sure to stop back for Part 2 of my 2022 Favorite Things List coming soon!
Before you go, don’t forget to take advantage of my special offers currently going on in my shop & online class site.
See all the fun news in one easy-to-find location by going HERE.
