These sketchbooks have proved very popular with our artists so I thought I would spread the joy, and make a determined assault on the Moleskine stranglehold.

Beautiful handmade monogrammed sketchbooks featuring  embossed and debossed cover, with initials of your choice.

If you would like one just let me know through the form in the footer, please add initials and any customised features.

Alternatively – if you would like a free one why not come on one of our painting or journaling holidays?

The post Monogrammed sketchbooks/journals – because you’re worth it first appeared on Painting Holidays Italy.

is hard to explain – which is why I’m leaving it to someone else.

Every artist must learn through trial and error, gradually inching their way towards a system that works for them.  Pigments are more than their chromatic value and  you will find that each takes on a personality.  Here, then, is another way of looking at it:-

Imagine you’re having a party

• Cadmium yellow -The first to arrive, always in an unsustainable outfit.  Catch her early because she’s probably ordered an early cab. (She  wants to avoid crushing her frock).
  
  
• Yellow ochre – Quite dowdy and earnest, wears cornish pasty shoes.  Gets on with everyone and a really good listener. Yellow Ochre enjoys camping and communing with nature.
  
  
• Raw Umber – No personality of his own but is surprisingly well read, his input really enriches every conversation but can be a bit of a bore
  
  
  
• Sap Green – Jolly fella, can always be relied on to perk up the party.  Indispensable on picnics.
  
  
  
• Alizarin crimson – Tall, elegant, your most sophisticated friend.  She would like to chat  but people don’t approach her ‘cos she’s just too impressive.
  
  
  
  
  
• Prussian blue – Alizarin Crimson’s less handsome sidekick.  She’s interesting but she’s bitter, careful or she’ll spread her greenish hue.  Gets on surprisingly well with Burnt Sienna.
  
  
• Viridian – The tall mysterious stranger, tends to hang out in the shade, looking cool.
  
  
  
  
• Vermillion – The party joker, with a tendancy to laugh at his own jokes.  Loud but useful, has a secret thing for Cadmium yellow.
  
  
  
• Mars Black – The goth in the corner –  best left there.
  
  
  
  
• Ultramarine – A favourite friend (it’s different for everyone) although I don’t see her often I always find her profound, clever and surpisingly warm.
  
  
  
• Burnt Sienna –   She offers to solve all your problems but lands up making them ten times worse.  An inveterate and domineering meddler. What’s more she has a weak head and will soon be singing cheesy songs. You’ll have to ask her nicely to leave.  Annoyingly everyone else quite likes her.
• Titanium white – A  great organiser, someone who remembers to buy nibbles.  But beware, if you don’t keep an eye on her  she’ll turn down the music and have everyone playing demure parlour games.
  
  
• Paynes Grey – Gentle and reliable.  She quietly tidies up when everyone has gone home and you are weeping about the ruined carpet.

These are just a few of my favourites/enemies (yes, I’m thinking of you, Burnt Sienna) – everyone has their own ideas on pigment personalities.  I’d love to hear yours. 

Credits – Burnt Sienna figure:  Tracey Costescu Paynes Gray girl : Alma Stoller Sap green teapot:  Tahnee Gehm Raw umber man: Brian McNeil Viridian: Viridian two

The post The Palette – Welcome to the Pigment Party! first appeared on Painting Holidays Italy.