Best Of Artists & Artisans

Yupo is a synthetic material offering all the attributes of the highest quality papers with the added benefits of extraordinary durability. I painted with watercolor on this unique paper, the wet paint sit's upon the surface until it dries. It's almost like painting on glass with the paint floating on the surface. What is wonderful is you can completely go back to white by just washing the areas off. You can create great texture by stamping into the drying paint or use other materials such as wax paper or plastic wrap. Yupo is also great for negative painting. You do need to get the hang of painting on this surface but it is great fun and worth a try. Check local suppliers or visit Dick Blick or Cheap Joes both offer different weights and sizes to work on. (I prefer the 74 lb or 144 lb weight.) "Tuscan Trees" on Yupo. by Renee' Kennedy

Cheap Joe's Angle Shader (3/4 inch) has become my favorite brush to paint with. It gives you the ability to paint tight spaces and to blend colors smoothly and seamlessly. The feel of the brush is a nice weight and with the synthetic bristles I can use this for Watercolor or Acrylic. It may become your favorite as well, give it a try. Renee' Kennedy

Speedball inks have excellent tack for uniform coverage and are very easy to clean up with water and the retarder in the ink slows drying time during printing. The Ink dries to a rich, satiny finish and cleans up easily with water. Dick Blick carries a Ink Starter Set, this arrangement contains six water-soluble 37 ml (1.25 oz) tubes of Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, White, and Gold ink. A great way to get started.

"Hearts a Fire" in a Private CollectionWhat are monoprints and monotypes?

Also known as the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques, monoprints and monotypes are essentially printed paintings.

The characteristic of this method is that no two prints are alike; although images can be similar exact replicas are not possible. The appeal of the monotype lies in the unique translucency that creates a quality of light very different from a painting on paper or a print, and the beauty of this media is also in its spontaneity and its combination of printmaking, painting and drawing mediums.

"Lady in Green" Private Collection MonotypeWant to know the process post a comment and let me know or share some of your monotype techniques!