1st Edition..News and Views

Janis Zroback
Author: Janis Zroback
Word Count: 773
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This is the first edition of News and Views and as yet I have not come up with another name, so I have a feeling we’re stuck with this one at least for the time being...
The concept of the column is quite simple...I am just going to share what I know…I plan to write about things I have learned, read, experienced, etc… as I go along I will be honing the column and improving the style and content, so bear with me…I am going to make the entries as brief as I can, so you don’t have to spend too much time reading everything, (though I hope you do).... from time to time I may give you a link to something controversial, but you must not take it as a reflection of my own opinion in the slightest...

Please leave comments…I need the feedback, so I will know what entries are of interest to you….note that words in blue are live links..

One to Watch..._by now most of you know I do daily informational posts on Twitter (Paintability) and one of the artists I follow is Helen Bascombe whose incredibly witty and pithy remarks keeps me abreast of the political situation…view the Gallery of this wonderful photographer, who in her own words, is “passionate about her work and her world”.

New Materials.....from time to time I am sent samples of new materials to try and last week I received some tins of Pan Pastels….they are fantastic…a little tin like a container of blush, with the ultra soft pastel colour in it…underneath are three tools to use, so that you don’t get your fingers grungy…ingenious..I am gradually adding them to my array of pastels

Techniques...I just found a free Ebook for beginners and even experienced painters in watercolour…I have not looked at it, so can’t say how good it is, but here is the link for you to have a look at “Watercolour Secrets” (60 free pages)..http://www.watercoloursecrets.com/ebook.html..
Note a direct link does not work..please copy and paste the URL...

Whats New..International call for Pastel Artists...Competition $5000. in prizes

How-To...How to win a Photography Competition

In The News.. Have you heard of Tape Art? these artists have no interest in permanency more

RedBubbler Tip by KJ Gordon

Selling...quick tip…if you are interested in selling, post only your best work…make sure it is photographed well and it is lit properly…so many times, I see what would be a lovely work, but it’s poorly lit or crookedly hung..learn how to use your camera or get someone who knows to photograph your paintings for you…once that is done, tag the work properly, then let your friends and family know that you have just posted new work…this is a huge site, and you can’t just wait for people to find you….in future issues I will talk about setting up a mailing list, and/or a newsletter to let people know you’re here.

Ask me...ask me any questions about materials and techniques, or any thing you need to know about painting, or even how to post work on RB, and I will try to answer to the best of my ability...I will do the answer post in my journal

Watch this fantastic art installation…makes you think twice about trash..

Coming soon...how to set up a Still Life, ways to remove dried watercolour from a painting, the best brushes and paper and where to get them cheaply, how to use clayboard, competitions and much more.

I hope you enjoyed this first edition…do let me know which entries were most useful to you.

See the 2nd Edition HERE

See the 3rd Edition HERE

  • Linda Callaghan

    Linda Callaghan

    would have loved to have seen the watercolour tips but will keep trying…also the new pan pastels look excellent..no dirty fingers would be great…will see if they have them here in Aussie. Did you find them better than other pastels Janis? First time I have ever heard of Tape Art…! looking forward to getting art tips in the next News and Views…(title is good by the way)!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    It’s so funny about the Ebook…the site is there, but when you use the link it says sold out…tyr to copy and paste this url and see if you can get it…http://www.watercoloursecrets.com/ebook.html….let me know if you find it..
    I found the pastels really good…the tools fit in the same little box, and there is no mess on your hands or getting the crayons messed up…I’m glad you like the title…thanks for adding your comments…

  • Ron Moss

    Ron Moss

    Geat idea Janis. Maybe we could post items for inclusion before you go live with each update? I have been trying some liquid graphite by Derivan..just google for their site which has movie demos.
    A GREAT book to get if you can track down a used copy is WATERMEDIA MASTERCLASS by the late great Edward Betts.

    Ron

  • Janis Zroback replied

    If you have something of interest, just send me a bmail with the links, and I willl save it to add to the next post…I have the book by Betts in my collection…it has become a collectible along with several other painter/writers who have died…my books, many of which date back to the early 20th century, are all in mint condition and I plan on putting up a large selection for sale…I have far too many now…thanks so much Ron…

  • Anna D'Accione

    Anna D'Accione

    Great first edition, there is a wealth of information and the links are interesting.
    I’m looking forward to the tutorial on still life and materials. such as type of paper (weight and grain etc) brushes and paint, so that watercolour experimentation or ‘learning’ can begin.
    We would need to look for equivalents in Aus. as we do not get everything from overseas.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thanks so much for adding your comments Anna…once I get into the swing of it, I will know which articles are of interest and I may juggle with the style a bit too…I hope you found something of interest in the post on photography as well…I will try to find some regional info, but that would be only if there is time…

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Anna..please have a look again at the link for watercolour tips…I found a way for you to get the Ebook by copying and pasting the whole URL…see above..

  • Alison Pearce

    Alison Pearce

    Really enjoyable and well set out! I’ve never even heard of tape art! Also liked the selling tip; my hands shake and I am notoriously bead at photographing my work! Shall have to get someone else to do it!
    I’m really looking forward to the next issue as I love to do still life’s and want to do one worthy of hanging in my kitchen; but I have been a little worried about it!
    Thanks for the great newsletter Janis!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I have noticed that some of your paintings needed a bit more light on them, so that would be a great idea Alison…I tape mine to a large white piece of foamcore, then I light from both sides as well as from above, using daylight bulbs.. I generally use the flash, but when it’s acrylics on canvas I don’t, as they are shiny already, and look strange when they are photographed with flash, so I use the ISO or high sensitivity setting

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Alison..please have a look again at the link for watercolour tips…I found a way for you to get the free Ebook by copying and pasting the whole URL…see above..

  • Ron Moss

    Ron Moss

    Yes Janis you are right on the money about getting one’s art captured correctly.
    A good scanner with the correct settings or the best camera you can source NEVER use a flash on a camera it flattens all the tones. Take it outside on a sunny day just before midday if you cannot access daylight flash units.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I do use flash sometimes as I am in a basement and going outside is not always feasible in this climate…I have daylight bulbs on all sides, but sometimes I don’t have them on and I just use the flash…the work seems to turn out allright…I never use a scanner as my paintings are too big…

  • Jim Phillips

    Jim Phillips

    Excellent 1st edition Janis. You should really be pround. I agree with Ron on the photographing art, the best results are going to come from outdoor light mid morning or mid afternoon and use a tripod. I used to use the makeup wedges when I did pastel work. Of course that been a while. Look forward to the next one, again, call on me if you need a filler.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    If you have any interesting tips or info. please Bmail me and I will add them to the next one….
    I have never shot my paintings outdoors…it is usually too cold to go out…they are always done in my studio with day light bulbs on each side and in the ceiling….after clipping them to foamcore, I place them on an easel, but have never used a tripod…I have a steady hand…thanks so much Jim…I really appreciate the feedback…

  • Jim Phillips

    Jim Phillips

    That’s proud, not pround. lol Of course if I ever wrote anything for you I would hope you edited it carefully. lol

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Please let me know of any links to info we would find interesting…thanks again…

  • catherine walker

    catherine walker

    wonderful Janis..thanks!

    xxooo

  • Janis Zroback replied

    You’re welcome Catherine…

  • Linda Callaghan

    Linda Callaghan

    yes it worked Janis…just downloaded it to my laptop and will print it out later…thanks…60 pages of free watercolour tips is too hard to pass by!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Great news…. I will change it in the article…

  • FlowersEtc

    FlowersEtc

    This is going to be so informative and I find it to be of use already. I like the link to “How to win a photography competition”. The new materials is great also. Brava!
    I think this will be a success Janis. Thank you so much for this.
    I have a title possibility, “Helpful News and Discussions”?? ;-)

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thanks so much Ann…I’m glad you like it…thanks for the suggested title….. :))

  • Alison Pearce

    Alison Pearce

    Thanks Janis :)

  • Janis Zroback replied

    You’re welcome Alison…

  • Corinne Pouzet

    Corinne Pouzet

    Great ‘News & Views’, this is (and will be) an inexhaustible source of documents, infos etc… Thank you very much Janis to be the instigator of this column, it will very helpful for us all.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    You’re very welcome Corinne…I have great plans for it and I hope you come by to comment, as I need the feedback…

  • Lorna Gerard

    Lorna Gerard

    Many thanks Janis this is terrific, will also check out the watercolour tips, wish I knew this sooner as I just spent $45.00 on getting some tips, I am kicking myself. I am still learning with the camera, it takes a while. Thanks again.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    This is 60 free pages that you can down load and print…you can only get it by copying and pasting the URL though…Let me know if it was worth it as I have not see it myself…thanks so much for the feedback…I appreciate it..

  • DebbieSteer

    DebbieSteer

    thanks for sharing Janis

  • Janis Zroback replied

    You’re very welcome Debbie…2nd edition coming soon…

  • Joanne Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    Ah Janis, loving this first edition! So glad you have included an article on photography! I subscribed to Darren Rowse Digital Photography School a few months ago and am really enjoying his articles on a weekly basis, but had not read this one. Loved the tape art and the art installation! Great job! :-)

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I am so glad you enjoyed it Joanne…I plan to add something on photography in every issue…thanks so much for adding your comment..

  • C J Lewis

    C J Lewis

    Thanks Janis … wonderful info :)

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you CJ…I ‘m glad you enjoyed them and thanks for the feedback..

  • Isa Rodriguez

    Isa Rodriguez

    Congratulations, you have been featured in First things

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Wonderful…thank you so much Isa…lovely of you to feature my writing…

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