Holy Pigment Batman! Check out the paint from Daniel Smith...

Okay, you all know how much I love Daniel Smith Watercolours. 
 It's no secret.


The pigment is incredible, they have exclusive colours created from genuine gemstones (like Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from, you guessed it, Sleeping Beauty Mountain in Arizona)

I also love getting mail, and when I opened up a package of 238 colour dots from Daniel Smith, well, I was pretty excited.  The next blog post from me will most likely show you all the little paintings I create from some of the colours I've never tried before.  Like Moonglow, for example.

My long-term goals include creating a project book from my own work.  I have to say, though, that I'm a little backed up. So if you have a yen to try your hand at watercolour and need a little guidance, may I suggest the new Project Book from Daniel Smith?  The book contains 21 different projects and is accompanied by step-by-step DVD demonstrations for each project.

You have 3 different price options:

1) - just the book and dvd for $16.95

2) - the book, dvd, and 54 paint dots for $19.95 

3) - the complete starter kit for $26.95 - you absolutely cannot go wrong with this one if you are just starting out - here's what you get:

• The book and dvd
• Color Dot Cards with 54 try-it size paint dots— contain enough paint to do your project
• Size 5 Round Watercolor Brush
• Plastic 10-well Palette and
• 10 5" x 7" Watercolor Cards
• 1/4 sheet of Tracing Paper

Each project is a painting designed to highlight three specific colors of DANIEL SMITH Watercolor. Subjects include flowers, fruit, birds, leaves, ribbons, landscapes, a sailboat, a zebra and a stained glass window. Each color is pictured and described, with pigment, granulation and transparency information. There’s a sketch for you to copy, and a finished example for you to follow. As you do the projects, you’ll learn about each color’s attributes and see how to use them effectively. With the Project Book and DVD, you’ll have fun increasing your knowledge of paints and color combinations.

And when you're done, let me know what you create! I'd love to see it. You can even post it to my Facebook Page! 

In Search of: the perfect Bar Stool for painting while standing.

My old bar stool finally kicked the bucket.  I was leaning back on it, admiring my latest brush strokes, when I heard an ominous "click".  No, not the deafening CRACK you might expect that would precede me falling backwards, arms flailing...  just a "click", then a "huh?" and then, of course, me grasping for a handhold.

I'm so glad that my friends weren't around with their cameras.

So now I'm looking for a new place to park my rear while I paint in a quasi-standing position.  I've checked out the local thrift stores and so far, nothing.  It needs to be just the right height, with specific lean-to-standing ratio.  If that is really a ratio, I'm not sure - but I'll know when I see it.

I've started looking online at all the modern bar stools available to ship to Canada.  And I confess, I'm loving the selection.  I'll keep you posted on what I come up with.

In other news, I've finished up the last of my "large" painting commissions this week.  As some of you may have heard, I am no longer taking on any commissions larger than 8x10 inches.  And that might get smaller and smaller as I focus more on the important things in my life.

Like tiny paintings that make me happy...
.... and a really good cup of coffee!

Paper Trails, Whiskers, and Cats who wear clothes...

"300lb Cold Press ACEO Blanks" available at christydekoning.etsy.com

I'm often asked about my tools, surfaces and supplies.

When it comes to surfaces, there are so many factors to ask yourself:

"what do I want to achieve?"

"what tools will I use?"

"will the medium be wet or dry?"

"rough or smooth?"

and the list goes on!

But what if you just want something of absolute quality that you can do almost anything to?

Then I recommend Arches 300lb cold press paper.  

You don't have to stretch it.

You can paint with almost any medium on it (not just watercolour)

You can print on it.

You can collage on it.

You can scratch out details and not go right through it.

It won't buckle.

It will last a VERY long time (it's archival).

So I've put together a little pack of 10 ACEO size sheets and 10 clear ACEO sleeves 

for you to get creative with.

Make sure you let me know what you come up with!

A fun commission that finished off 2010 for me - two cats,  two personalities, and a whole lot of fun.

opportunity

opportunity, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

A New Year.
A fresh decade.
A world of opportunity
awaits you.

Will I blog more in 2011?
I don't know.
I find Facebook and Twitter easier.

What are your thoughts,
your plans,
your wishes,
your dreams,
your realities?