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Paint Talk Gallery
2008 October Flame
Like most artists in this computer age, I get lots of emails every day. In addition to questions about paint and requests for events, I receive emails from artists that include images of recent works created with our products. Those are my favorite emails, as I always am so impressed with the talent and creativity of people who use our paints. I forward them to my Chroma counterparts in Australia, and now I will share selected ones with you.
I plan to update this gallery every few months and if you’ve created artwork with Interactive, Archival, Jo Sonja's or any of our Chroma products, I’d love to see them, please add your images to the gallery.
The paintings below (comments 1, 2 and 3) were created with Interactive Acrylics. Recently, Jim Cobb, the founder of Chroma, wrote that after viewing these works, he finds these Interactive paintings
have a sort of softness that I associate with oil rather than acrylic, which in the past have tended to be rather sharp and slightly mechanical looking… after having invented the paint, (it’s good) to see people using it so nicely...
There are (26) Comments so far, why not join the discussion?
Paintings by Fraces Poole
Jennifer,
I'm sending my latest painting done with Interactive Acrylics. I feel that I am getting the paints to look much like my oil paintings. When I look at this, I can't tell I used Acrylic instead of Oils. Since I have been an oil painter for many years, it probably stands to reason that is the look I try for without even being conscious of it. Notice the smooth transitions on the fruit. I like a more painterly look too, and will try to get my paintings to have more brush strokes but that is another lesson. In the meantime, for those who like the graded tones, Interactive Acrylics can do it for them.
Frances
Too see more of Frances Pools artwork visit her website http://www.fpoolepaintings.com
Paintings by Don Simasko
Hello Jennifer,
In your last newsletter I read that you are looking for new artists. I have been using interactive acrylics ever since I first discovered them. I love them. I used to paint in both acrylic and oil, but since I discovered interactive paints, I’ve used them exclusively. I’m attaching a few samples of some current work (Thailand, Taos & Paris). I’d like more information per the newsletter.
Thanks,
Don Simasko
Too see more of Don Simasko’s artwork visit his website http://www.donsimasko.com
Paintings by Bobbi Doyle-Maher
Dear Jennifer,
Recently you sent me a small bottle of the Thick Slow Medium to try out. I really like using it and have not seen in on the shelves for sale yet. Could you possibly send me some to use until it's for sale here in "Knoxville" TN?
I am attaching two paintings that I did using the slow dry medium. It works great.
Thanks in advance for you help,
Bobbi
Too see more of Bobbi Doyle-Maher’s artwork visit his website http://www.bobbidoyle-maher.com
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for this article. I've really enjoyed seeing what others are doing with their Interactive paint. I've been using Interactive acrylics for several months now and continue to be pelased and amazed with all the different effects I can get. Soft and atmospheric for my landscapes and bold for my florals. I purchased some of the binder medium and coat whatever surface I'm working on with that first, I find that it really does help with adhesion. On certain surfaces my initial layer was beading up, but the binder medium takes care of that. So, here's my question can I add paint to the binder medium, so when I'm sealing the surface I'm also toning it? Would I need to add water to the binder if I add paint, if so how much?
Hi Jennifer
Thanks for this. I love all paintings here. but i dont use Acrylic, I like drawig and Oil for painting. i sent 2 image.more image is on my website: www.figurativepainters.com
Jennifer! what is the best varnish for Acrylic?
Best Wishes
M.Irani
Tracey sent these paintings to us in an email.
Hi again,
I have attached a couple of other paintings. The pink frangipani is interesting as I started this as a demo at the Caloundra Art Festival. The left half of the painting is done with Archival Oil and the right half with Interactive. No one could pic the difference.
the rose - Mme. Violet is Archival Oils.
Best wishes
Tracey
Here are some more paintings from Tracey
I have used Jo Sonja and AM for both. I do all the background and underpainting in Jo Sonja and then all the final layers and glazes with AM. The open Rose background is done with many layers of paint wet on wet and scraped back with a metal palette knife to reveal various levels of underlayers. A lot of fun. The still life is a very large painting and it came 2nd in the Kenilworth Art awards still life section. It is all painted with AM and the background only with Jo Sonja.
Take care,
best wishes
Tracey
Email from Sharon
Hi Jennifer
Nice to hear from you. Sounds like you have a wonderful job with Chroma.
I use Jo Sonja's Artists' Colours and Mediums in my paintings. I have been using the Gel Retarder and Retarder when I paint. I'll attach a couple of paintings to see what you think.
Sharon
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your email.
I usually use gouache, but now i have been trying out the Atelier Interactive acrylics.
I am only a beginner, I would like to share with you, one of my first attempts.
It is slightly built up with modeling compound and impasto gel.
Any thoughts or comments would be welcomed.
Kerrie
Paintings by Paul Hewson
Hello Jennifer,
Atelier Interactive paints are just being discovered in the United Kingdom. Keith Norris has been demonstrating their versatility to groups of teaching artists here. Up until now, I have been teaching in watercolour, but after seeing Keith’s inspirational use of these new paints, I feel that I can use them just like watercolour, but with the bonus for beginners that ‘mistakes’ can be simply wiped away, and wet in wet can last all day.
The first painting is a Pen and Wash of St Mary’s Church Carisbrooke, a scene that probably has not changed for well over 100 years. The second is the Post-box at the end of the road, painted as an oil painting.
I really am amazed that one paint can be used in so many different ways. I now intend to restructure my painting workshops and use Atelier Interactive.
Regards Paul
To see more of Paul Hewson’s artwork visit http://www.paulhewsonart.co.uk
I am a professional Artist & tutor based in Norfolk England.
Having been an oil painter & watercolourist for many years, I was
introduced to Atelier Acrylics, at a Keith Norris Demonstration 3 weeks
ago in Newark England, and I have been happily playing, sorry
experimenting, since then and took my work to be framed on Monday. My
very experienced framer thought my work was in oils.
I love the pigments, far more natural, and the finish is soft, not a
harsh plastic coating. I take painting courses at my studio and
demonstrate to groups, I didn't have acrylics in my program unless
specifically asked, I have now introduced a 5 day course later in the
year. See more of Linda's Work at http://www.lhm-artworks.co.uk
Hi Jennifer,
I'm glad to see this forum, and the examples by Bobbi Doyle-Maher using the thick slow medium makes me look forward to trying it.
I'm really glad I was introduced to the Interactives. They are ideal for working outside, and even look great with a little beach sand mixed in. An old wooden cigar box filled with empty film canisters is perfect for taking just the right amount of paint with me. I use sanded pastel paper by Colorfix and I find it has just enough tooth to hold the paint, while allowing for very fluid strokes as well. It comes in a selection of tones and doesn't buckle no matter how wet it gets. I've also made a sketchpad by buying an inexpensive spiral bound watercolor pad and using the Colorfix primer to coat each page, while leaving it in the pad. You have to wait for each sheet to dry of course, but you end up with a nice pad of sanded paper.
In the studio I've used the black and white Interactives as a base for a large drawing. I started out with a basic sketch in charcoal, then over-painted with the black and white Interactives, which allowed me to be fluid in my strokes make changes easily. The charcoal does mix with the paint, so I will isolate the layers with the Fast Medium when I get the drawing to a more finished stage. While I am still working out the composition it's nice to keep my options open in switching back between using charcoal and paint, and I appreciate the mat quality of the acrylics, which makes the surface accept the charcoal better.
I also used Interactives very successfully as under-painting for several oils which allowed me to speed up my progress, as I was entering a competition with a looming deadline. I found that my over-painting in oils matched the under-painting so well that I could let the Interactives show through, and in fact, lost track of which paint was oil and which Interactives.
They are great for quick studies for paintings too, I've attached some studies that I've done as part of a large series of oils I have been working on for a few years. You can see the series at http://www.kathyhodge.com
I also made a nice discovery in palettes. I bought a "John Pike" palette, which is a basic white-plastic palette with a tight fitting lid. By spraying my colors with the fine water spray and placing a flat wet sponge in the box I am able to keep my Interactives workable for weeks! Acrylic painters probably have figured this out already, by I find it's great for an oil painter who is still getting used to the fast drying time of acrylics on the palette!
So thanks for introducing me to Interactives, I speak highly of them to other artists looking for a versatile and quick way to lay down color.
Kathy Hodge
East Providence, R.I.
http://www.kathyhodge.com
Hi there Jennifer.
I just wanted to say that I'm loving Atelier's Interactive Acrylic. I adore the vibrancy of the colours and also that they remain open longer. I received a commission from a customer recently which ended up a mixed medium piece in that I used impasto paste, foil and indian ink (Faber Castelle Pitt Pen). The customer was thrilled with the outcome and I'm one happy little vegemite! (Can you tell I'm an Aussie?)
I've attached the piece which I named "Orient".
Have now decided to enter some pieces in a community art show and can't wait to get started on them.
PS... Am looking for a colour chart. Can you help?
I love Atlier Interactive paints! I'm 19 and I've been using them for almost two years. They have helped me start my own wildlife painting business! They are so fluid and they keep thier colors - even when thinned. The long drying time is a big plus and I can't get enough of them! I've recommended these paints to many of my professional artist friends and they are just as enthusiastic about them as I am. With any other acrylic brand, I would have never made my dream profession a reality. Thank you!
Artist forever,
Cara Bevan
www.carabevanartfromtheheart.blogspot.com
This is my most recent (and most detailed) painting. It's titled "Furby".
Jennifer,
Sad to say, I have yet to properly evaluate the paint samples that you sent me. I feel that I have to use them all in actual paintings rather than just in color patches and try their mixing qualities. I do like the Permanent Brown Madder though I was suprised to discover that it is redder than Transparent Red Oxide. I love the Viridian, a pigment that is essential to me in this part of the world. I like the Cadmium Yellow Light. It is close to the Lemon Yellow that is a staple for me. I have yet to try the greys. I have never used grey--it goes against the grain for me. I will try them out in Open Portrait Studio to modify skin tones. The Pyrrole Alizarine and Rich Brown I have not yet tried. Here are my plein aire paintings from this winter and Spring and a portrait. Water based paints are a problem when it is so seldom above freezing but I pick my days and go for it!
Here are some images emailed in to us from Tracey Simms
Quilt
The pattern blocks were painted using Jo Sonja’s Artists’ Colours mixed with Textile Medium after which a glaze was applied to give an aged look and to coordinate with the fabric.
Pot Holder
This cute pot holder also used Jo Sonja’s Artists’ Colours and Textile Medium for the main design then the highlights were added, using Jo Sonja’s Iridescents and Textile Medium. The easy one hour workshop was lots of fun and ideal for beginners as all participants had never painted before.
Chooky Cushion
Another appealing piece that was painted in Jo Sonja’s Artists’ Colours and Textile Medium to create this quick and easy project.
I've been very lucky to be chosen as one of this year's artists in residence at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado this spring. I usually bring my heavy French Easel with oil paints when I've worked in the parks, but this time I am going to bring the Interactives. I think it will be more portable and less toxic, but it will be interesting to see how long I can prolong the drying time in the blazing sun of the mesa top, especially since I'm used to working in oils.
This is the kit I've come up with for my trip. I used an old cigar box and filled film canisters with my colors (If you go to a photo lab, they'll probably be happy to give you all you want and if you can find the canisters with the clear tops it makes it easy to find your colors) If the paint dries around the lids, it peels right off. I put a pack of palette paper in the lid. I'm going to bring sanded pastel paper, as I really like the texture and tooth for painting with interactives, as well as some new acrylic canvas paper I'm going to try out.
I'll post again and let you know how they worked out in the field.
Kathy Hodge
Wow there has been some really great artwork posted here on Paint Talk, congratulations everyone!
I have recieved a lot of new images via email too, here they are.
The artworks below by Barry Sholder, Ed Rode, Kelby Love and Suzanne Jenne were all painted with Interactive.
Mikel Wintermantel uses mostly Interactive but paints Oils over the top, which as yoi can see is a great technique to use.
I look forward to seeing more great paintings on Paint Talk.
Jennifer
Paintings by Barry Sholder using Interactive
Paintings by Ed Rode using Interactive
Paintings by Kelby Love using Interactive
Paintings by Suzanne Jenne using Interactive
Paintings by Mikel Wintermantel using Interactive and Oils
Mikel, just wanted you to know how great your work is. Great use of color. Can you explain your technique?
Paintings by Derek Jones using Interactive
Hello - am in the UK and I have used Interactive since their introduction ( got some direct fom Australia by mail order)
I attach a couple of small images - I wonder whether they might be useful in your gallery, thanks Derek Jones
my latest work at
http://derekjonesart.blogspot.com/
Barry Sholder using Interactive
Using Interactive real wet. Just a note to share the results of using Interactive with slow medium.
Check out my blog : http://www.Signandartblog.com
This was painted on Gessoed cold press Watercolor paper. On this particular painting I did not put down Binder but I usually do. I used a metal butcher tray for a pallette for my mixing. I got the paper wet with water first then mixed my paint on the tray and added a few drops of Slow diectly into the mix and layed down the first wash. Working on a slant I continued in to the siennas and ochres, just blocking in color, then finally ending with some direction strokes of greens to define the direction of the foreground. At this point I ran a few errands. It's always good to get away for a bit. When I got back I felt the siennas and ochres were a bit blotchy so....What else? the fine water mister, and I smoothed things out a bit and added some deeper color for contrast. I took thin sienna and marked where my post were going to be not t o concerned about color, just location. I then started to lay in ochre leaves mixed with white and worked around the post marks. Once dry, I went in with heavy French Ultramarine Blue and Sienna for a deep nuetral and added the posts, working in and out of the yellow leaves. I finished by adding some white squiggly vine shapes here and there and some leaf shapes on the ground following the rows. Hope you enjoy it! Barry Sholder
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