Gesso...

I had a student ask me a very good question via email the other day. She said she went to clean the gesso off her brushes and the thinner didn't really clean it off. So, thought I would address this. When cleaning your brushes that you use to gesso, or prime your canvas, clean them with a brush cleaner or softsoap and water. If you're using acrylic gesso, you would clean those brushes just like you would acrylic or watercolor paint. I also recommend putting a bit of conditioner on your brush after cleaning. When you're using your Bob Ross brushes (with oil paint), clean them with clean thinner. There is a Bob Ross brush cleaner (see the photo) and I mostly only use it for the script liner brush...after I clean it with thinner. It's got a conditioner built into it. The problem with cleaning the brushes we use in class with water, is they can sort of "spread" out. It would be ok to clean the filbert and fan brushes with soap and water, but be sure to condition them afterwards. The 1 inch landscape and 2 inch blenders should really be cleaned with CLEAN thinner. As always, let me know if you have any questions! Happy Painting!!

Next painting for October 8th...

Rough week. I lost a dear friend and the funeral was this weekend. The highlight of my weekend was Saturday's class. I of course forgot to take photos! I had a great time and as usual you guys did some wonderful paintings.

Here's the painting for October the 8th. I love these simple seascapes with lots of color! Morning class is booked, but I've still got a couple openings in the afternoon class. As always I take a wait list, because I do get cancellations. I'm excited to work on this with everyone! Happy painting!

Here's the afternoon class from Sept 10th....

Congratulations again everyone!!! Wonderful work!

I'm so proud!!!!

You guys are awesome! What a great class Saturday! Here are some photos of the 10am class. I'll post photos from the 3pm class later this week. It looks like these were taken when we were about halfway done. Way to go everyone!!!

Saturday will be here in no time!!!

Well, here's the painting for this Saturday! Can't wait to see everyone and I hope you guys had a great Labor Day weekend!!

My working palette...

One thing I always try to tell students is to try to arrange your paints the same way each time you work. This is my (current) working palette. I always keep the blues up at the top, but I put ultramarine next to burnt umber before I head to the reds/pinks. Mainly because that's my favorite way to make gray. I then round the corner of greens, then yellows and white is always to the far right with radiant blue right above it. Why this way? Mainly because that's the way I've always done it. When I go to mix or use a color, it's right there. Being consistent saves time. Happy Painting!!!

Way to go everyone!

Well, we had a bunch of newbies and some of my regular veteran painters this class and everyone did a wonderful job! As I have said before, I'm not a fan of the Bob Ross Barns..(Bob I'm sure you're rolling over in your grave!!), however, I feel like everyone learned something about converting what we see into simpler shapes so you can paint your own buildings. Fantastic job and Happy Painting!!!