Pigging-out on pigment
March 28, 2004
One key thing I’ve learned over the past couple of months is that, when it comes to paint, a rose madder isn’t a rose madder isn’t a rose madder. Paints are very variable and there’s a lot of science and complexity involved in getting it right. While it seems impossible to master the whole business without devoting one’s life to it, I can open my eyes more than I do and learn the basics.
I gave myself the assignment to get over to the East Village and visit Art Guerra. He runs Guerra Paint and Pigment which is stocked with his collection of pigments, scavenged from pigment-dispersion manufacturers and automotive plants. He tracks them down, calls them up, and then acquires barrels of pure color they can’t be bothered with at bargain basement prices.
He explained to me that most paints one buys in the hardware or art supply store are mixed out of a dozen basic pigments. Art sells 200 different pigment dispersions and he demos how to mix them with different binders to create anything from a thin watercolor like acrylic to thick impastos to gleaming metallics. I bought two colors, ultramarine blue deep and cad orange and some acrylic binder and have done a couple of experimental paintings with them. The colors are pure and bright and probably best for covering huge paintings with bright, vivid colors. I’ll stick with my Daniel Smith watercolors for now but the experience was like visiting the coffee store and inhaling the smell of fresh ground beans.
On the way home, I noticed these windows that I’d missed on the way there:
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Oooh! I want those windows!!
Posted by: Amy | March 28, 2004 08:47 PM
they have a window set up like that right now at Mass MOCA in the Berkshires. They're really cool to look through from the inside, looking out. Two-tone buildings and such.
The paint store sounds like a fun experience. Sometimes I just like holding tubes of color.
Posted by: kat | March 28, 2004 10:42 PM
This fits in so well with my weekend. I attended a H2Ocolor demo to at Daniel Smith on Saturday. It was interesting to see that I was one of the youngest in the room. 99% of the people in there were at retirement age...I guess I will have a good jump on things once I do retire ^_~. I'm now constantly seeing things differently now...shading, colors, variations of colors...the presenter mentioned rose madder with her thick Texan accent. Said it was one of the best smelling paints. But speaking of the chemistry of paints, have you tried DS' Cascade Green? It's a mix of pthalo blue and yellow ochre, so you'd think you'd be able to make the color. You can, but it won't have the same effect when you use it. Cascade Green will give you the most beautiful turquoisey blue in areas where there is more water!
p.s. I really <3 your work and everything you post...I'm eagerly awaiting "Everyday Matters" in the mail...I have my fingers crossed for next week--
Posted by: tania | March 29, 2004 12:25 AM
There is only 1 brand of watercolors I've ever found satisfying - and I've tried a lot! They're expensive, but they're worth it: Schmincke. (http://www.schmincke.de/data/content/uk/uk_index.htm)
This company also makes really good gouache.
As far as inks go, I am a die-hard Luma fan.
(http://www.pearlpaint.com/pearl/paints-watercolors-luma-concentrated-wc.html)
They are concentrated watercolor inks, and every year Pearl thereatens they are going to be discontinued, but it hasn't happened yet... These colors are brilliant and don't fade over time the way Dr. M's do.
Posted by: Lori Gordon | March 29, 2004 12:47 AM
another daniel smith devotee weighing in. In my opinion no one can match DS quinacrodones. However, I am also using pans of Koh-i-noor that I purchased from Elda Abramson and the intensity/luminosity of some of the colors is amazing- particularly when used with the Quink ink that I mentioned in an earlier comment.
Posted by: dana jenkins | March 29, 2004 01:29 PM
oooh, what a fantastic place!! next time i visit nyc, i am definitely going there!!
i have always been fascinated by stories of centuries-ago artists making their own tempuras and oils. Both the romantic notion, the further creative and energetic inputs and control and the chemistry fascinate me. I'd love to play with creating my own ceramic glazes as well..
ahh, pigment... it's almost like playing god too... all those pure, vibrant elementals...
btw, ever since your post about actually seeing objects and colors instead of thinking what you expect to see, i see so much more beauty in the everyday world around me!! stopped at a train crossing, i discovered a whole palette of colors on the side of a rusty "yellow" train car... wonderful!
Posted by: pixie | March 29, 2004 01:36 PM