Thursday, July 31, 2008

Bellevue DANIEL SMITH FREE Weekend Demos for Aug. 2nd & 3rd with artists Michael Jacobs and Nola Ahola


This weekend's FREE demonstrations at the Bellevue DANIEL SMITH Store will have artists Michael Jacobs and Nola Ahola. Saturday's FREE demo is with Michael Jacobs (The Creative Zone ) showing how to make "Interactive" Greeting Cards . On Sunday, the FREE demo is with Nola Ahola demonstrating how to "Paint" in Collage with Exotic Papers . Come and join us for "how to" do some fun projects!




Saturday, August 2nd at 11 am & 1:45 pm
BOOKMAKING: Making Interactive Greeting Cards
Michael Jacobs
thecreativezone.com

Sunday, August 3rd at 12 & 2 pm
COLLAGE: Painting on Exotic Papers
Nola Ahola
nolaahola.com


*****

DANIEL SMITH Store in Seattle's FREE Weekend Demos with Daniel Rice and Blanche Niznik


This weekend the Seattle DANIEL SMITH Store will have FREE demonstrations with artist Daniel Rice on Saturday and Blanche Niznik on Sunday. Daniel Rice will be sharing his tips on painting with acrylics, and Blanche Niznik will be demonstrating her tips on using painting knives with oil paints.



Saturday, August 2nd at 11am & 1:45pm
ACRYLIC: The Gift Of Acrylic Painting
danielriceart.net

Sunday, August 3rd at 12 & 2pm
OIL: When All Else Fails Use a Knife
blanche-niznik.com
*****

Monday, July 28, 2008

DANIEL SMITH'S FREE Weekend Demo with Botanical Illustrator / Artist Linda Ann Vorobik


Last Saturday, for the FREE weekend demo at the Seattle DANIEL SMITH Store , Botanist and Artist Linda Ann Vorobik gave a talk and demonstration on Botanical Illustration. Linda, well known for her Botanical Illustrations in reference books such as The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of of California , gave a through (as through as a person can do in an hour!) introduction to basic Botanical Illustration.

Linda Ann Vorobik , who has an extensive education and professional expertise in Botany, has blended her scientific interests and background with the sensuality of art that appeals to her when she works on her artistic Botanical Illustrations...her "Plant Portraits". Linda had this to say about her work as an artist: "I'm a sensualist, to me art is about connecting with the medium, not sitting at a computer with a mouse".

Linda had a lot of materials and artwork that she invited everyone to look over before she began her demo. Linda reviewed with us the art supplies she uses for her botanical illustrations, several unusual items were magnifying glasses, and watchmaker's forceps...all the better to see and access the fine details of a flower or plant. Linda told the audience several times how important it is for accurate botanical illustration to "Measure, Measure, Draw". Of course unless you are doing scientifically accurate botanicla illustrations as Linda does, you don't necessarily need to "Measure, Measure, Draw" when doing your plant portraits.

Going through the steps Linda takes, she showed us how she works:
Step 1: Pencil sketch - sketch out your subject.
Step 2: Composition - make xerox copies of pencil sketch, cut and paste until you get the composition you want. Tape your drawing paper (Strathmore 500 Series Illustration Board ) to your paper with the composed sketches.
Step 3: Pen & Ink - Lay your taped drawing paper over a light box and begin tracing out in ink, your composed sketches.
Step 4: Watercolor (if she is doing the illustration in color).

Linda showed us a couple of the techniques she uses for getting dimensionality in her pen and ink drawings; thin and thicker ink lines with different nibs (or pens) or pressure when tracing out the shapes, and leaving a "white gap" between lines to show that something (a background leaf) is behind another object (a foreground leaf). It was interesting to see how really effective that was when we got out of our seats and moved in for a closer look. Linda also brought her laptop with her to show us photos of how effective watercolor washes are for building up glowing, translucent color with a couple of onion studies.

This was just a very brief introduction to botanical illustration, Linda will be teaching a Botanical Illustration Workshop on Sunday, August 17th at the the Seattle DANIEL SMITH Store . If you are interested in Botanical Illustration, or in improving your skills for drawing or painting flowers and plants, then this is a good opportunity to get some hands on learning with an professionally experienced, and well known Botanical Illustrator. Thank you Linda!


Workshop
Sunday August 17th

WATERCOLOR: Botanical illustration

with Linda Ann Vorobik

vorobikbotanicalart.com

Linda Ann Vorobik will teach you the steps of botanical illustration from drawing plants to publishing in professional books and journals, with sample art and images illustrating these steps. Botanical illustration is defined and compared with plant portraiture. Using tools for pen and ink or watercolor you will learn how these medias apply to rendering beautiful botanical images. All skill levels are welcome: accomplished artists can learn added botany skills and skilled botanists will learn to draw.

$75 per day

11 AM to 4:00 PM

001 020 334

*****

Friday, July 25, 2008

DANIEL SMITH's Newest Extra Fine Watercolor Triad - Firenze


DANIEL SMITH has a new Limited Edition Watercolor Triad called "Firenze" which features the colors Permanent Yellow Deep , Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet , and Verditer Blue.

This new DANIEL SMITH Triad are DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors chosen by Watercolor Artist Brenda Swenson. Brenda chose these colors because:

"When working with a limited palette I look for colors
that “feel” like my subject matter.
All 3 of these colors have low staining qualities that I like
and mix wonderfully to create new colors.
The city scene of Florence is warm and bright so
I wanted to have a warm dominance of temperature.
The wonderful granulation of Verditer Blue added texture
to the shadows and glazed beautifully,
even for a semi-transparent color"

So, if you are dreaming of traveling to Italy, have a desire to paint Mediterranean landscapes.... or are lucky enough to actually be traveling to the region and hope to do some Plein Aire painting....well, this might be the DANIEL SMITH Triad for you!
*****

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Special FREE Event Demo: Introducing the New GOLDEN OPEN Acrylic Paints with GOLDEN's Nina Deckert



For everyone who works with GOLDEN Acrylics , Acrylic paint in general, and Oil paint may want to come to the Early Bird (9:30am) FREE demo at the Seattle DANIEL SMITH Store on the New GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics. GOLDEN Acrylics' very knowledgeable representative, Nina Deckert will be there to "Show and Tell" all about this new really cool product....there will be some FREE goodies (samples!) of this revolutionary new acrylic paint!

Since DANIEL SMITH will be carrying the entire line of the New OPEN Acrylics (look for them on page 42 of the new 2008-2009 Reference Catalog) Nina has been holding training sessions this week with the DANIEL SMITH store and catalog people. Nina will be offering some of the same information at this FREE demo!

What's so new and wonderful about the new GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics? Well they have a much, much longer open time to work with. This is a totally new formula (and top secret too!) for acrylics that allows artists extended time to work with the paint...almost like an oil paint. The paint feels luscious and silky, again like an oil paint, when you apply it to your surface. The paint does not skim over as there is a humectant in the formula to attract moisture from the air helping to extend the open time. You can mix and work over the surface with blending, more like painting in oils, but with no solvents!

The new GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics clean out of brushes really well with water, and are designed to mix with GOLDEN's Heavy Body Acrylics (and other brands including DANIEL SMITH Ultimate Acrylics ) which, depending on the amount of OPEN Acrylic mixed in will extend the working time of the mixed color. There is lots more, so come by to find out more from Nina at the Special Event this Saturday at 9:30 am! Remember there will be a cool package with 3 samples of GOLDEN OPEN Acrylic! Thank you Nina!

Saturday, July 26th at 9:30am
EARLY BIRD DEMO
ACRYLIC: New, GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics
ninadekert.com
*****

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Reminder: Special FREE Event This Weekend, July 26th and 27th With DigiPen Institute of Technology Faculty at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store


Be sure to come by for this very Special FREE Event at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store with the Faculty from the DigiPen Institute of Technology . DigiPen Institute of Technology is the leader for Game Development and Computer Animation Education. This is a great opportunity to get an introduction into training for a career in Computer Game Development and Computer Animation.

So, have you ever wondered if this is a career direction you would be interested in exploring? Here is your opportunity!

Please look at the schedule below for this two day, all day FREE Event to find sessions that you are interested in.

SPECIAL FREE EVENT
*****
July 26th and 27th Animation Weekend with
DigiPen Institute of Technology Faculty
*****

Saturday: Traditional Animation Techniques Sessions
10am Pre-production Overview of the industry and
process. going from storyboard to animatics,
and character design issues.
11:30am Character Design Discussion about
the creative process of designing engaging
characters that can be animated.
1pm Environment Design. The considerations for backgrounds.
2:30 The Art of Animation. The various forms of animation,
and the specific challenges involved with
bringing artwork to life.
*****

Sunday: Art Production for Games Sessions
12noon Game Introductory Overview The challenges
of creating art for games.
1:30pm Industry Tools Game assets tools such as
Flash, Photoshop, and 3DS Max.
3pm Creating Animation for Games The technical issues involved
with the implementation of animation into
real-time interactive environments
*****

Daniel Smith Store in Seattle's FREE Saturday Demo with Watercolor Botanical Artist Linda Ann Vorobik


This Saturday the Seattle Daniel Smith Store will have 2 FREE demos with Watercolor Botanical Artist Linda Ann Vorobik. Linda will share some of her observations and tips for Botanical Watercolor Illustration, and this is a great (FREE) way to find out more about attending Linda's Workshop on August 17th at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store. If you are a garden enthusiast, this is a demonstration that you will want to come to!


Sat July 26th at 11:30 am & 1:45 pm
WATERCOLOR: Botanical illustration
vorobikbotanicalart.com
DON’T FORGET Linda’s Workshop August 17th Seattle Store!
*****

The Seattle Daniel Smith Store's FREE Weekend Demo, July 19th with Marianne Perkins


The FREE weekend demonstration at the Daniel Smith Store in Seattle last Saturday was with Watercolor and Walnut Ink Artist Marianne Perkins .

Marianne talked about and showed the group lots of her tips for working with Walnut Ink with different tools and on different kinds of papers. Papers like Arches Watercolor , Vellum, Bristol Board (favorite), really most types of papers. She has also done mono-prints with Walnut Ink on to printmaking paper.

Some of Marianne's tips were: Do not use your best watercolor brushes to apply the Walnut Ink because you can't get all the ink out when you clean the brushes. Akua Kolor's Needle Applicator - 5 pack is a wonderful way to draw with the Walnut Ink, you get some very expressive lines. When using these, Marianne has one of the 5 applicators filled with water so that she can easily clean the needle of the applicator she just used for drawing. She attaches the used needle to the water-filled applicator and gently squeezes water out through the needle. Consistent, and immediate cleaning of the needle before the Walnut Ink dries in the needle is very important, because if it dries out, the needle will be permanently clogged and ruined.

Some of the really cool effects that Marianne gets with Walnut Ink are when she works with it as mixed media. Marianne often adds watercolor (she really likes the effects of the Daniel Smith Luminescent Watercolors ) when painting (not mixed together!) and Pastels . When using Pastels, she lays down some Pastel color on scrap paper, then using a brush (with water) takes up some of the pastel dust and paints it onto her work.

Another of Marianne's favorite tools is Frisket Masking Film, and she often uses the same shape over a couple of times. She gets some interesting effects when the masking film starts to loose some of it's "tack" and the Walnut Ink or Watercolor begins to seep underneath the film.

Marianne had several framed Walnut Ink paintings / drawings on display near the demo table, which inspired several questions during the demo. It is always interesting to see the Artists work on display while they are talking about how they work, and demonstrating to get those effects. Marianne told the group that while she ..."loves the process of painting, I don't always love my paintings". She added that it's through the process you discover new ways of creating visual excitement in your work, so don't be afraid to play, experiment and get involved in the PROCESS, that is how you make exciting Art!
*****

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Bellevue Daniel Smith Hosting FREE Animation Weekend Event with DigiPen Institute of Technology Faculty


The Daniel Smith in Bellevue is hosting a FREE Special Event Weekend with the DigiPen Institute of Technology Faculty on July 26th and 27th.

This is truly a special opportunity for anyone interested in computer art and animation as Digipen Institure of Technology is the; "first university in the world dedicated to teaching how to create video games." This FREE Special Event will be held in the Gallery/Workshop space at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store. Please see the information below for topics and times.
*****

FREE SPECIAL EVENT July 26th and 27th
Animation Weekend with
DigiPen Institute of Technology Faculty
*****
Saturday:
Traditional Animation Techniques Sessions.
10am: Preproduction Overview of the industry and process,
going from storyboard to animatics, and character design issues.
11:30am: Character Design Discussion about the creative
process of designing engaging characters that can be animated.
1pm: Environment Design, the considerations for backgrounds.
2:30pm: The Art of Animation, the various forms of animation,
and the specific challenges involved with bringing artwork to life.
*****
Sunday:
Art Production for Games Sessions.
12noon: Game Introductory Overview,
the challenges of creating art for games.
1:30pm: Industry Tools Game assets tools such as
Flash, Photoshop, and 3DS Max.
3pm: Creating Animation for Games, the technical issues
involved with the implementation of animation into
real-time interactive environments.
*****

Daniel Smith Artists' Materials: "Best of the City" as Listed in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine


While looking through my copy of this months Seattle Metropolitan Magazine , and checking out their "Best of the City" lists, I found a nice surprise when I saw Daniel Smith listed! Under "shopping and Style" on page 109, under "Craft Supplies" (OK, that should be Artist Materials or Supplies!) there we were!

I know, and you know, that Daniel Smith is the BEST Art Supply Store, and it's always nice to be recognized by others too.

The link to Seattle Metropolitan Magazine does not actually show the lists for their "Best of the City" , so you'll have to pick up you own copy to check it out. When you do, remember, this July 2008 issue is their 3D edition so you will have extra fun looking at the magazine through the included 3D glasses in the issue!

Our thanks to Seattle Metropolitan Magazine for the nice "pat on the back"!
*****

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bellevue Daniel Smith Store FREE Weekend Demos for July 19th and 20th with Bruce Edwards and Jim Stoccardo


This weekends FREE demonstrations at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store will have Bruce Edwards on Saturday showing how to create expressive journals in watercolor. On Sunday, Jim Stoccardo will be demonstrating Drawing and Painting on Claybord, if you have ever wanted to know more about working on Claybord, this is a great way to get some tips. Remember, both of these demos are FREE!


Saturday, July 19th at 11 am & 1:45 pm
WATERCOLOR: Journal Entries in Watercolor


Sunday, July 20th at 12 & 2 pm
Drawing & Painting on Clayboard
*****

Seattle Daniel Smith Store: FREE Weekend Demos July 19th with Marianne Perkins


This coming weekend's FREE demonstrations at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store is with local Watercolor Artist Marianne Perkins who will be doing two FREE demos on Drawing using Walnut Ink on Saturday, July 19th. Come by to learn more about expressing yourself with walnut ink and picking up some drawing and painting tips from Marianne, it's FREE!


Saturday, July 19th at 11 am & 1:45 pm
DRAWING: Walnut Ink
Marianne Perkins
*****

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Daniel Smith's Newest Watercolor Triad - Sand & Surf!


Daniel Smith's Newest Triad...

Recently Daniel Smith added a new Watercolor Triad just in time for Summer Watercolor Painting! It's the Sand & Surf Triad colors chosen by Watercolor Artist Susie Short . It's official name is: "DANIEL SMITH: Limited Edition Watercolor Triad, Susie Short's Sand & Surf".

If you are planning on going to the beach this summer to do some Plein Aire Painting, then you may want to bring this Triad along with you! Either take the Sand & Surf Triad itself, or add one or two of the colors to your collection if you already have either the Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors in Indanthrone Blue , Ultramarine Turquoise, or the Goethite, Brown Ochre, and complete your own Triad!

Susie recently did a FREE demo at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store using mostly this Sand & Surf Triad (click HERE to see) and will be doing another FREE "Sea and Shore" demo this weekend at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store on Saturday, July 12th at 11am and 1:45pm.
*****

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Bellevue Daniel Smith FREE Weekend Demos July 12th & 13th with Carol Stecher-Jones and Blanche Niznik


This upcoming weekend, July 12th and 13th, the FREE demo at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store will have Carol Stecher-Jones demonstrating basic Watercolor Painting. Carol's own Watercolor Paintings have a strong sense of light and space, click HERE to see some examples of her work. Sunday's FREE demonstration will be with Oil Paint Artist Blanche Niznik, please click HERE to see examples of her work

Sat July 12th at 11 am & 1:45 pm
WATERCOLOR: Let's Get Started
*****
Sun July 13th at 12 & 2 pm
OIL: When All Else Fails Use a Knife
*****

Monday, July 7, 2008

Seattle Daniel Smith Store: FREE Weekend Demos July 12th & 13th with Susie Short and Patrick Howe


This upcoming weekend's FREE demonstrations at the Daniel Smith Store in Seattle are with Watercolor Artist Susie Short on Saturday the 12th. If you would like a preview of what it would be like click HERE to read the blog article from Susie's demo in June at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Store . Sunday the 13th is with Patrick Howe with a FREE demo on oil painting and reflective light. Patrick's website shows some of his oil paintings that have some beautiful reflective light , you just might want to come to the FREE demo to find out how he does it!


Saturday, July 12th at 11 am & 1:45 pm
DON’T FORGET Susie’s Workshop
July 27th thru 28th Seattle Store!
*****
Sunday, July 13th at 12 & 2 pm
*****

The Seattle Daniel Smith Store's FREE Weekend Demo last Saturday with Artist Jerry Baldwin




Last Saturday, July 5th, one of the FREE weekend demos at the Daniel Smith Store in Seattle was with Landscape Artist Jerry Baldwin . Jerry was demonstrating some of his tips for painting Landscapes with Pastels .

First, Jerry likes to pre-paint in watercolor on Wallis Sanded Paper , the basic shapes, and colors he sees in the landscape he will be doing in pastel. It has excellent "tooth" for the pastel and heavy enough not to buckle when the watercolor paint is applied. The colors are not necessarily the colors that will be used for the shapes in pastel, for instance the color of the sky in watercolor for the demo was yellow.

Working from a photo, Jerry applied his pastels, working over the sanded surface from his trays of pastels. The trays are actually black Styrofoam trays that Jerry got from his butcher. They work especially well because they are light weight, soft surfaced (don't chip at the pastels) and since these are black rather than the usual white, really "pop" the colors and don't look dingy like the white trays do. A tip while working, have an empty tray to keep the pastels that are being used for the current work, so that it's easy to find that color again when you want it.

Another tip from Jerry for cleaning your pastels; place them in a container of cornmeal and gently shake the container. This will "sand" the outer surface of the pastels removing the "gunk". Then sieve them out with your fingers.

When Jerry was working over his board and ran into an area that was challenging him, he told the audience: "If you make a mistake you learn something, if you don't make a mistake you learn something else, so either way you learn something!" The audience appreciated that comment since everyone can relate to making mistakes while making art! It's especially comforting to know that it happens to professionals too.

It was interesting to see the landscape appearing under Jerry's pastel work, and to see it finished by the end of the demo. Thank you Jerry!
*****

Friday, July 4, 2008

Bellevue Daniel Smith Store's FREE Weekend Demos for July 5th and 6th


This weekend's FREE demos at the Daniel Smith Store in Bellevue will give you tips on capturing your travels in ink and Watercolor with Expeditionary Artist Maria Coryell-Martin , and tips on Watercolor Painting on Ampersand Aquabord with Local Artist Che Lopez


Saturday, July 5th at 11 am & 1:45 pm
INK & WATERCOLOR: Expeditionary Field Sketching
Maria Coryell-Martin
*****

Sunday, July 6th at 12 & 2 pm
WATERCOLOR: Painting on Aquabord

*****

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Seattle Daniel Smith Store FREE Weekend Demos: July 5th & 6th


This weekends FREE demos at the Daniel Smith Store in Seattle are with Jerry Baldwin for some basics for creating landscapes in pastel, and Jim Stoccardo with acrylic painting and drawing on Ampersand Claybord. So please feel free to stop by and get some tips to add to your creative knowledge!


Saturday, July 5th at 11 am & 1:45 pm
PASTEL: Landscapes
*****
Sunday, July 6th at 12 & 2 pm
ACRYLIC: Drawing & Painting on Clayboard
*****