Joyful Purpose

Choosing Paint Colors

People often ask me what colors they should purchase when buying watercolor paint -

especially Daniel Smith Watercolors. 

My answer:  All of them!  Just kidding ;)

This is actually a very personal choice.  I know the colors that I like but they may not be the same as the ones you would choose.

That being said:

If you are purchasing tube paint for the first time and/or trying to build your intial palette I would suggest the following colors:

Basic Palette

cool and warm red

cool and warm blue

cool and warm yellow

yellow ochre

payne's grey

raw umber

Cadmium Red Medium Hue (PY 53, PR 254) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor   

Alizarin Crimson (PR83) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine

Azo Yellow (PY 151) 15 ml tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

New Gamboge (PY153) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine

Prussian Blue (PB27) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

 

French Ultramarine (PB29) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

Yellow Ochre (PY43) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

 

Raw Umber (PBr7) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor   

Payne's Gray (PB29 PBk9 PY42) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

Extras

Bloodstone Genuine 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine

 

Quinacridone Gold (PO49) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

 

Sodalite Genuine 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

 

Shadow Violet (PO73 PB29 PG18) 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolor 

 

Serpentine Genuine 15ml Tube, DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine

I whole heartedly would suggest using the

Enamel TravelBox

Water Color Paint Pans

Watercolor paint pans are based on their owner's needs ~ personally I have many for various needs. 

 

check this post out for details

 

and

 

here

 

and

 

here

 

WaterColor Travel Kit

Sennelier Artist Watercolor Travel Set

is on SALE at Dick Blick for 59.00 reg 115.00

No, I don't get any money from this and No, I am not a rep for them although I should have stock for all the um, lets say investments I have made in them ;)

I just like to pass along the deals when I see them!  Lets face it ALL of us can use a deal on art supplies!

This is a high quality little set and it will last a really long time.

Weekend Works

I headed out to the sand yesterday and did these ...

and brought along this ...

This is my travel kit: total dimensions - 6"x8"

watercolor journal - 5.5 x 8

micron 005

hybrid technica by Pentel

Faber Castell drafting pencil with HB lead

eraser

lead sharpner

Nijii waterbrush

travel palette - watercolors

travel palette - gouache

Pen and Ink Fountain sketch pen

These travel pocket palettes are sooo cool - you can find them here

or make your own - check out this one

 

Weekend Works

Scenes from my journal this weekend.  It was about EXPERIMENTATION!  I think experimenting is crucial as an artist to broaden our view and scope.  Of course we often go kicking and screaming because we are so comfortable with what we already know and love.  But I want to grow and stretch and become better.  Soooo ...

I have been doing a lot of pen and ink sketches with my fountain pens and new technical varieties. I also ventured out into a new medium - whoa Nelly!! GOUACHE!! Roz Stendahl an artist I greatly admire is a lover of the stuff so I thought I would give it a go! It's sort of like learning to ride a bike.  I am a bit wobbly and unsure ~ but I will persevere my friends!

My latests obsession with pens ;)

my first attempt at gouache - such an adventure and will be updating you I am sure ;)

They have multiplied!

My Danial Smith WaterColor palettes that is!

It had to come to this, it did.  I now need three and actually probably a third.  I know, I know, I just can't help myself - the colors, oh the lush colors.  A girl can never have enough shoes - no, watercolors!

I have redone my palettes so now I have a green/blue, a yellow/red/orange and a purple/neutral.  So of course I had to make color charts.

Actually, it makes me feel good just to open them up and gaze at them.

I know I need Art Supplies Anonymous but I am just not ready!

 

 

 

 

Color My World again and again and again

No I don't work for Daniel Smith - but I should - they should hire me as a spokeswoman!  I love their watercolors - Love!  Here is my latest acquisition - there 238 dot watercolor paint chart -

Be still my beating heart!

So yes, last night I was busy making a color chart - I mean charts -s -s-s

Now I need to keep track of what I buy because - Guess what?  I have purchased doubles .... several ... umm many times - insert sheepish grin here ;/

they even have a video demonstration here

 

color my world x 3

I think I finally have down my watercolors to 3 main palettes - but don't quote me!

mainly Danial Smith Primatek watercolors

regular Danial Smith watercolors

Lucas watercolors

I find it helpful to make a paint chart for each one as once they dry it is hard to tell many of them apart.

Just looking at them makes me happy!

 

Watercolor Paints continued

more watercolor peeks

 

 

my art stuff continued ...