Mixing Acrylic Paints
Today I’ve been adding more thin layers to a rain forest painting – inspired by my recent walk/resource gathering at Mary Cairncross Reserve, Maleny. I’m working on beautiful W & N stretched cotton canvas, 20 x 20 inch, and using artist quality acrylic paints and mediums. The cotton really lends itself to this light style I have been using.
Something that I have done for years is use a variety of china dishes for mixing acrylic and watercolour paints. I find they’re easier to hold and maneuver than a traditional large palette, especially when working on a table rather than an easel. I can place them on a dry area and work closely when adding detail to a piece. I wipe them clean easily with a tissue or paper towel and wash in soapy water, then rinse. It feels quite luxurious to mix in them and they are quite cheap, from AU$1.25, and sometimes on sale too. It’s a shopping treat to buy even one or two.
Storing mixed paint colours in an airtight jar is handy for reworking an area and being sure you have the same colour mix. Label clearly if needs be (I have different style jars for watercolours), and be sure they don’t go back to the kitchen 🙂 Store away from heat and sunlight.
Tomorrow I’m off to a friend’s studio where a few of us will be painting together – I love these casual days of coffee, painting, art talk and inspiration 🙂
Cheers, Judi
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