Painting Clouds and Skies With Julie Houck
SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST
This will be a combination studio as well as plein air class. Following a lecture/demo on clouds and skies, we will work from small studies to larger formats. Time will be given to developing a more ”finished” sky as well as how to lay in a sky quickly to capture the essence of the mood. We will also spend a good deal of time mixing subtle chromatic greys.
Oil paints are preferred. Suggested good quality paints from reliable manufacturers are, Rembrandt, Sennelier, LeFranc, Old Holland, Holbein, Gamblin, Winsor Newton, M. Graham and Daniel Smith paints. DO NOT BUY STUDENT GRADE PAINTS like Winton, Talens, Classico or Grumbacher. Their pigments are weak and their paints are mostly fillers. I also do not recommend water based oils. Please do not use paints that are a “hue.” Hues are merely tints and do not contain adequate pigment.
I advise a limited palette for those of you new to oils or just getting up speed. Notice that I include a warm and a cool version of each color, plus a range of earth colors. If you have a favorite color that you like to use, then by all means bring it. Colors with a * after them are mandatory!!
- Ultramarine Blue *
- Raw Sienna
- Cerulean Blue *
- Viridian+
- Winsor Red (Winsor Newton)
- Yellow Ochre
- Cadmium Yellow Dark
- Cadmium Lemon Yellow* (Winsor Newton)
- Alizarin Crimson (permanent)
- Ivory Black
- Zinc/Titanium White*
- Radiant Blue (Gamblin)*
- Radiant Violet (Gamblin)*
- Rose LeFranc (Lefranc)* or other rose colored paint, Think “bubble gum pink”
*critical
Linen Supports:
Oil primited Linen is my preferred painting support for creating skies. If you prefer to work on a canvas support, try to get one with a more finished surface that is not course.However, the tooth will be very rough. I DO NOT recommend inexpensive student grade canvas panels or pre-stretched canvas for this class.
You will need linen panels and/or pre-cut canvas taped on a foam core board.. A good value can be found with the linen panels made by Centurion. Order from Jerry’s Artarama or Dick Blick. New Traditions also make a good panel, but will be more expensive.
Remember you can use oil paint on acrylic or oil primed surfaces, but you can only use acrylic on acrylic primed surfaces as they do not adhere to oil primed canvas.
- 6-10 small panels 5, 7, 6 x 6, 8 x 8, or 8 x 10. Not larger. You can also divide a larger panel in to quarters, but please be mindful of your finished size.
- 3-6 medium to larger size panels, 11 x 14, 12 x 16, 12 x 12, 18 x 18. Please, nothng larger.
Recommended Brushes
- A good range of bristle or brushes in the following sizes:
- Filberts-sizes 2, 4, 6, 8; Flats or Brights 2, 4, 6, 8
- One or Two #10 or 12 Filberts/Flats for laying in large areas
- Rounds: A small one in size 0 is good for signing your name!
Additional Supplies
- Solvent: I recommend Gamsol by Gamblin
- Paper Towels (Viva are preferable)
- Plastic bags for trash
- Gloves if you use them
- *Portable box easel for painting outdoors
- *Portable metal canister for solvent with a sealable lid
- *Palette for mixing paints
- Palette knife for mixing (optional)
- Hat for the Sun, sun block, insect repellent
- Comfy shoes suitable for walking!
- Umbrella for easel (optional but highly recommended) (Artwork Essentials makes a good one)
- Rain coat or poncho, good walking shoes, pack/traveling cart to hold gear
- *Drying box for wet panels. (Raymar makes a lightweight inexpensive carrier)
- A camera to take reference photos or people shots for further study (optional)
- A portable stool if you need to sit when you paint.
- Medium of your choice. There are many mediums to choose from. I use a combination of 1/2 stand oil to one half Gamsol. Galkyd Light will speed drying time. Liquin Fine Detail provides a good medium with lots of flow. Does not gum up.
And last but not least, an open mind, a sense of humor and a willing attitude!!!!
Questions? Call 808 280-6083 or email Julie : juliehouck@gmail.com
