Art Materials (Evans Encaustics, "Encaustic Compatible")

Encaustic Compatible

Hello encaustic friends and interested parties,

How many encaustic makers/companies are out there? Small ones, big ones, artists trying to earn a few extra bucks making paint? If you live more east coast you might be more inclined to order from R&F, but if you're living westward there is a closer option. I came across Evans Encaustics a few-or-so years back and liked this small company (I like small companies). Anyway, give them a whirl; I particularly like the bisque gray color. They also have a nice looking website.

Thank you for reading
Jonathan Parks
http://www.evansencaustics.com/

Art Materials (STUFF)

Hello Readers,

Where on earth can you find a rubber kidney, a big domino, an old view camera film carrier, game pieces, wood pieces, metal pieces, glass, ephemera, antique like what-not, and a tin wind-up chicken all in the same place?  Well first off you may not actually find those things in that combination since I already did; but, you may find something even better or in a stranger combination.

I wanted to take a short detour from my usual type of art materials post and focus on what I think of as, "what else," is art material.  Recently I went on a short jaunt from ABQ to Santa Fe in search of who-knows-what and found it/some/stuff.  Expectations where high and low and what I learned prior to visiting filled my brain with ideas and things to buy.

Recycled, upcyced- whatever you want to call it- there is a lot of stuff out there to make, include in, or just inspire your artwork.  All the, "stuff," I got came from an artist; Laura Stanziola. Just outside Santa Fe is where she made her home into what looks like a overwhelming well organized store/residence. Inside this store I found many wonderful things, and many things I did not buy- for I had a budget.  Gratefully the prices of these many odd things were not excessive, and for the most part surprisingly inexpensive.

Rubber kidney, rubber intestines, and a rubber heart all 35 cents each. Various game pieces for just pocket change. 75 cents for twin wooden sticks- I thought the price could have been a quarter cheaper but I really liked them. Film carrier- so many ideas. Old marbled paper. A Ceder box. And of course the wind-up chicken.

All right the chicken isn't art material; I just wanted it. Besides that, imagine everything that I can make using a rubber kidney.

Thanks for reading,
Jonathan Parks

Art Materials (Enkaustikos Hot Cakes, "Encaustic Compatible")

Encaustic Compatible (DUH:)
Hello Folks,

As planned, Hot Cakes at fineartstore.  This will be brief for I do not use Hot Cakes or much pre-made encaustic any more.  I have occasionally used them in the past and they do have the convience factor going with their included palette cup; but, if you make your own paint or your short on cash, they probably aren't your cup of tea (or cup of encaustic).  Outside of the price I do not have anything bad to say about them, and if you can get them on sale- go for it.

Thanks for Reading (Next time, Evans Encaustics)
Jonathan Parks
http://www.evansencaustics.com/
http://www.fineartstore.com/

Art Materials (R&F Handmade Paints, "Encaustic Compatible")

Encaustic Compatible  (DUH!:)
Hello All,

R&F, what can I say? If you have any experience or interest in encaustic, two to one, you are or will become aware of them.  Pretty much the source for encaustic, but they also make some pretty sweet oil like bar- pigment sticks, supplier of tools, advice, and whatnots.  Aside from what might seem to be or easily could be a encaustic monopoly, R&F is a bevy of information packed into a decent supplier of what you need to tackle this medium.

Choosing a medium to best express yourself and your work is hard enough, then you have to figure out what brand and everything else that goes along with these two things.  R&F has around eighty colors in 104 and 333 milliliter blocks.  As with most paints that have colors in series which differ in price, R&F's encaustics are also priced according to pigments.  Needless to say if you are an artist on a budget, you can always stick to those less expensive colors.  If you need additives such as damar, caranuba, or more beeswax you can get those too; which is great if you want to make your own paint.

As for their pigment sticks, these are great to use by themselves or in combination with encaustic (Click here for tips on pigment sticks).  The difference in R&F's pigment sticks and other oil bars like Sennelier is that they have a higher pigment concentration and less fillers.  Not that I find anything wrong with Sennelier, they are simply different.

If I have any complaints about R&F they are very minuscule, like most places there is an occasional product that seems overpriced, but that it is all made up with service and quality of their products. 

As always, Thanks for Reading (Next time Hot Cakes)

Jonathan Parks

http://www.rfpaints.com/

http://www.sennelier.fr/en/home.php

http://parksartworkstoolstechnique.blogspot.com/2008/11/paintpigment-sticks.html

Art Materials (Encaustic Compatible)

"Encasutic Compatible"
Hey folks,

I would like to take the next couple of posts and get back to encaustic- so I'm going to be writing about a few places you can get your supplies and other stuff along with my own experiences with them.  Tune in soon for R&F Encaustic Paints.

Thanks for reading.
Jonathan Parks
http://www.rfpaints.com/

Art Materials (Sketch Book Finale: Lanaquarella, Encaustic Compatible)

"Encaustic Compatible"
Hello all,

My finale in sketch books will be in making your own, and in making your own you will need quality paper. It would take forever to delve into the many intricacies of book making and paper, so instead I present a quick synopsis. In binding you can not lose with the traditional Japanese stab binding. And depending on your technique and/or medium, your choice in paper changes.  When it comes to making a good sketch book I believe you can not lose with watercolor paper.  Watercolor paper can be very different when it comes to brands, weights, or types and offers the ability of various mediums from gouache to pencil.  If you only use pencil and maybe very light painting you can easily get away with a lower weight paper, 140 lb (300 gsm), but, if you can't stand the warping, wrinkling, and indentations that are accustomed to lighter paper, I would recommend 300 lb (640 gsm) paper.  This finally brings me to Lana, a top pick for paper, sure other companies make great paper (Fabriano, Arches, Strathmore, etc.), but we all have our favorites and Lana is is one of mine.

So give Lana a try, I don't believe you will be disappointed.
For info on paper suitable for encaustic go to Watercolor Paper

Always, Thank you for reading,
Jonathan Parks
http://www.lanapapier.fr/
http://www.cartieremilianifabriano.com/
http://www.arches-papers.com/fr/
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/
http://parksartworkstoolstechnique.blogspot.com/2008/11/watercolor-paper.html

Art Materials (Strathmore Artist Papers)

Hi everyone,

Continuing on with sketch books- I thought of mentioning one of my favorites- Strathmore 400 series.  Ok, I know this really isn't a sketch book; however, some of us don't use sketch books or even, "sketch."  So for those of you looking for a drawing paper of various size, etcetera:  I particularly like this series because of its cream color.  But if your not into the cream color and prefer white, Strathmore make pretty decent paper all around.  You should also check out the wind powered series.

Thanks for reading
Jonathan Parks
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/fineArt_drawing.php

Art Materials (Moleskine Watercolor Books)

Hello all,

Well as promised I am continuing on with sketch books; this time Moleskine.  I particularly like the large (5.25" by 8.25") watercolor notebooks with there heavywight paper perfect for painting and drawing; not to mention the simple and plain design.
-
Also you can get it with perforated pages (or not)- I have both.  It comes with 30 (60 if you count both sides), 200 gsm, cotton, cold-pressed, acid-free pages.

So, check'em out
and thanks for reading
Jonathan Parks
http://www.moleskineus.com/
http://www.moleskineus.com/reporter-large-watercolor.html

Art Materials (Rite in the Rain Sketch Book)

Hey Folks,

I would like to talk a little about sketch books and particularly this time: Rite in the Rain products. Are you someone who sketches outside or travels with your sketch book? Ever worried about your notebook or sketch book getting wet? Well, Rite in the Rain has many styles of note/sketch books available. The best thing is you don't have to worry about getting them wet or even, literally working in the rain.

Unfortunately I don't believe you will be able to paint watercolor on this paper, but if you only use pencil- you can't beat it.

Next to come- more on sketch books/papers.

Always, thank you for reading

Jonathan Parks

http://www.riteintherain.com/

Art Materials (Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive)

Hello All,

It has been awhile since my last Art Materials post- so, for the first week back I thought I would keep it short and share a product from Lineco. I have been using Lineco's neutral pH adhesive for awhile and I have found that it is quite reliable, much like other products they make. So if your not sure about archival polyvinyl acetate (PVA), try Lineco.

Thank you for reading.

Jonathan Parks

http://www.lineco.com/