Watercolor Escape Artists

Using a photo-manipulation program - in this case, Corel PhotoPaint - it's possible to have even more fun with colors and patterns you've dreamed up...all without touching your paintings. I used to like to make these designs then print them on high- or 100% cotton papers and either cover mini-books or do origami with them. Miss R. Fadler's "Finland Farm" turned into a repeating design (tiled). Miss M. Wolfe's "Free-For-All" Aussie beach, tiled. Miss G. Smith's "Tilting Barns" tiled. Miss K. Breeding's "Tibet Plain w/Yaks" tiled with selective colors altered. Miss K. Breeding's "Tibet Plain w/Yaks" tiled.

This project was different in two ways. It was our first experience with canvas. Yes, Virginia, there IS canvas for watercolors (we used Fredrix brand - sheets of gessoed material torn from a 9x12 pad)! HINT: read the manufacturer's flyer that comes with...all the way to the last sentence, because that's where you'll find out the unmounted-stuff warps/buckles LIKE CRAZY unless "secured" to a non-buckling surface... The other difference was in the capturing of images for the blog: scanning picked up a 'moire' pattern from the fabric weave, so tripod-photography was needed. I hope you'll see the possibilities of this challenging surface, even though you'll quickly notice several students were unable to complete their pictures. (p.s. I'm having trouble with the blog's 'add picture' function, so will add Miss Noel's work later.) Miss R. Fadler Inadvertaintly the 'covering power' of our opaque watercolors is illustrated in...

Here's an interesting product I found in the Dick Blick 'Holiday Catalog' that just came yesterday. Looks very much like what I wanted for our students in Escape Artists this year. Want a treat? Visit the Blick website. I have always had excellent dealings with this company: fair prices, fast service, and knowledgeable staff. Check them out if you're looking to 'dabble' in ANY artform. http://www.dickblick.com/products/ready-to-paint-watercolour-landscapes/ Oh, last weekend at (my) Half-Price Books (in Watuaga, Texas) they had some great looking 'kits' right at the front near the registers. One was an acrylic set with everything including what looked like a couple of terrific brushes, all for less than $10! The other was a Chinese-brush-painting kit. This kit had a grinding stone, ink-stick, 2 brushes, and of course the guide book, all for $15! If you've ever thought for a moment about either of these painting styles/media I'd suggest you check t...