The Coffee House

[davidharmier60]

My phone says it's 30 degrees out there.
I don't wanna go!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[JonA_CT]

Good morning, hosers. It’s 8*F this morning.

I think that’s a good enough reason to go back to bed.

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

It's 6 F here Jon, but it could be worse. We could be in Erie, Pa

 

[jcdeboever]

No shorts today

 

[jcdeboever]

Thinking of taking an art class. Goal would be to eventually learn to paint landscapes and florals. I have no formal art training. I can draw a tiny bit but it’s been years... Should I start with a beginner level drawing class or a beginner level watercolor class? @jcdeboever and @snowbear and anyone else on the site who also paints and or draws.

I'd say drawing first. You'll get all the tips you'll need for watercolors, or any other painting. Being a photographer will be helpful with things like perspective in drawing, too.

Once you get those basics down, watercolor will be fun! I've been playing with oil pastels, and stopped to take a drawing class because it was obvious that I had put the cart before the horse.

IMO, watercolor is the hardest to master. Super easy to over work it. Winsor Newton makes wonderful watercolor, Arches cold press water color blocks are glorious. Water color blocks make things easy, paper gets wet, when dries it stretch's back flat. Draw with puddles of water, drop color in puddle and let it do it's thing. They make hot press paper too (smooth, no texture) which gives a totally different look. I can't say enough about Windsor Newton watercolor, fine pigment. Rubber cement is handy, put it on where you want whites to remain. You can do washes for sky and things but get that paper good and wet first. Porcelain trays work best for watercolor, trust me on this. Micheals has some really good brushes at reasonable prices. The paper and paint is a little high but they usually have it in stock. Cheaps Joe's online usually has the best pricing if cost is goal. Crayola pan watercolors are pretty good, strangely enough. Windsor Newton is the way to go though once your into it. Don't buy the cheap watercolor blocks, they will ruin a good watercolor painting every time.

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

No shorts todayView attachment 151393

Look on the bright side you have no wind chill.

 

[JonA_CT]

Ladies and gentleman, we have reached a double digit temperature here in New London.

They said we might get above the freezing mark again next week. Maybe.

 

[Gary A.]

Thinking of taking an art class. Goal would be to eventually learn to paint landscapes and florals. I have no formal art training. I can draw a tiny bit but it’s been years... Should I start with a beginner level drawing class or a beginner level watercolor class? @jcdeboever and @snowbear and anyone else on the site who also paints and or draws.

I'd say drawing first. You'll get all the tips you'll need for watercolors, or any other painting. Being a photographer will be helpful with things like perspective in drawing, too.

Once you get those basics down, watercolor will be fun! I've been playing with oil pastels, and stopped to take a drawing class because it was obvious that I had put the cart before the horse.

IMO, watercolor is the hardest to master. Super easy to over work it. Winsor Newton makes wonderful watercolor, Arches cold press water color blocks are glorious. Water color blocks make things easy, paper gets wet, when dries it stretch's back flat. Draw with puddles of water, drop color in puddle and let it do it's thing. They make hot press paper too (smooth, no texture) which gives a totally different look. I can't say enough about Windsor Newton watercolor, fine pigment. Rubber cement is handy, put it on where you want whites to remain. You can do washes for sky and things but get that paper good and wet first. Porcelain trays work best for watercolor, trust me on this. Micheals has some really good brushes at reasonable prices. The paper and paint is a little high but they usually have it in stock. Cheaps Joe's online usually has the best pricing if cost is goal. Crayola pan watercolors are pretty good, strangely enough. Windsor Newton is the way to go though once your into it. Don't buy the cheap watercolor blocks, they will ruin a good watercolor painting every time.

For Gary, the first step would Crayolas.

 

[Gary A.]

Buenos Dias Coffee Hosers. It is a brisk 44F this morning, with an afternoon forecast in the upper 70's.

 

[SquarePeg36 7]

With the windchill here it's -17*



edited to update photo

 

[Gary A.]

@ JC: Maybe you need a change ...

 

[limr29 2]

Coldest air temp I ever experienced personally was -22F in Pittsburgh. It was -40F with the windchill. I bundled up and walked to school. By the time I got there (2 miles) I had a layer of ice on the scarf covering my face and I was sweating under all the layers. A few hours later, we were sent home - the whole city, not just the school. Brownout. It was so cold that they worried the grid could not handle the demand for heat in public buildings.

 

[jcdeboever]

Thinking of taking an art class. Goal would be to eventually learn to paint landscapes and florals. I have no formal art training. I can draw a tiny bit but it’s been years... Should I start with a beginner level drawing class or a beginner level watercolor class? @jcdeboever and @snowbear and anyone else on the site who also paints and or draws.

I'd say drawing first. You'll get all the tips you'll need for watercolors, or any other painting. Being a photographer will be helpful with things like perspective in drawing, too.

Once you get those basics down, watercolor will be fun! I've been playing with oil pastels, and stopped to take a drawing class because it was obvious that I had put the cart before the horse.

IMO, watercolor is the hardest to master. Super easy to over work it. Winsor Newton makes wonderful watercolor, Arches cold press water color blocks are glorious. Water color blocks make things easy, paper gets wet, when dries it stretch's back flat. Draw with puddles of water, drop color in puddle and let it do it's thing. They make hot press paper too (smooth, no texture) which gives a totally different look. I can't say enough about Windsor Newton watercolor, fine pigment. Rubber cement is handy, put it on where you want whites to remain. You can do washes for sky and things but get that paper good and wet first. Porcelain trays work best for watercolor, trust me on this. Micheals has some really good brushes at reasonable prices. The paper and paint is a little high but they usually have it in stock. Cheaps Joe's online usually has the best pricing if cost is goal. Crayola pan watercolors are pretty good, strangely enough. Windsor Newton is the way to go though once your into it. Don't buy the cheap watercolor blocks, they will ruin a good watercolor painting every time.

For Gary, the first step would Crayolas.

These replaced the Crayola brand, they are pretty decent.
Artist's Loft® Necessities Watercolor Pan Set

Not sure why they say online only, I've seen them in store. But anyway pans are a good way to start. The color is much richer and produces luminous color on good paper.
Winsor & Newton® Cotman® Watercolor Pocket PLUS Set - 12 Half Pans

This is the only paper I would recommend. Sorry but it does make a huge difference. Shop around to find it cheaper.
Arches® Cold Pressed 140 lb. Watercolor Block

Good starter brush set, two links, one for basic set, other for washes
Royal & Langnickel® Zip N' Close Gold Taklon Brush Set
Angular White Taklon Brush Set By Craft Smart®

Good tool to have, can lift color a little at a time when paint has dried.
Artist Loft® Kneaded Eraser

Very handy to pick up excess puddles or even to apply washes. Can also use wet to lift color that has dried, more agressive than kneaded eraser but effective.
Royal & Langnickel® Natural Sea Silk Sponge Set

 

[Gary A.]

Coldest air temp I ever experienced personally was -22F in Pittsburgh. It was -40F with the windchill. I bundled up and walked to school. By the time I got there (2 miles) I had a layer of ice on the scarf covering my face and I was sweating under all the layers. A few hours later, we were sent home - the whole city, not just the school. Brownout. It was so cold that they worried the grid could not handle the demand for heat in public buildings.

When Gary was in the Arctic, he was instructed not to sweat ... as sweating in -40F was a quick way to die.

 

[Gary A.]

Gary has a full day. He has guests coming over on Friday. Gary will set up the projector and pull down the big screen for the USC-Ohio St. game. Today he and Mary Lou will travel to Pomona to pick up Mary Lou's car from the mechanic and drop off Gary's car. On the way home Gary needs to hit the butcher's for Friday's roast, chicken and bacon. Gary is planning to Sous Vide the meat for 16 hours and whip up some chicken carbonara and maybe a flatbread. He has to mow and trim up the back, clean out the pond filter, et al. If anyone wants some carbonara, come on by.