Tasting Tuscany

I don't care what anyone says, there is no better food than in Italy! The "fresh factor" probably accounts for most of the fabulous tastes, but ahhhhh, the food is fabulous.  I had a new whole grain salad the other day...at least it was new to me:  spelt.  It resembled barley, but it was so tasty in a salad with EVOO and grilled veggies.  Yummmm!

Then there is the wine.  The Chianti region is where we are staying. The special appellation known as Chianti Classico (a dry smooth red) can be made here.  It's a red wine that pairs well with food. You may not be aware, but the making of wine is very controlled and regulated by government officials who inspect the agricultural methods, bottling and content of the wines which want to be considered Chianti Classico.  Many of the vineyards make extra wine that they do not  bottle.  For these wines,  they don't bother to preserve them by adding sulfites.  This makes it seem that we can drink more and not suffer the normal headaches we might get otherwise (at least that's what we're telling ourselves as we drink from lunch through dinner!) They serve these un-preserved wines as their house wines.  The house wines are often great, and because they are meant to be drunk right away, they are not available outside the country.  These are sometimes white and sometimes red, but almost routinely delicious.  Another reason to visit Tuscany!

I am staying at a restored monastery known as San Fedele.  The owners made their fortunes in the cell phone industry and hopped off that fast track for life in Tuscany.  They felt a special kinship to this land and this property and claimed a piece of it for themselves.  After over 7 years and an incredible investment of energy and money, they took the property from abandoned ruins to restored beauty. It has a very good vibe and is tastefully authentic.  We have WiFi and good plumbing.  The rooms are spacious and modern.  Our group also has a large room in which to use as a studio for painting during the evenings or inclement weather.  That makes it especially ideal for our group.  The other evening, as the sun was setting and we were drinking some wine before supper, we were treated to a triple rainbow of incredible intensity.  None of us had ever seen such a thing, and I will forever associate San Fedele with that moment.

Though all the things I describe are great, one overwhelming perk of this place is the food!  Breakfast is cooked by Renatta, the owner.  Those generally feature a couple of home baked cakes, yogurts, fruits, meats, eggs, breads and juices.  It's very good, and I am not a breakfast lover.

 We eat lunch elsewhere as a rule.  Andrea is our chef in the evenings, and we have had extraordinary meal after extraordinary meal thanks to him. He is a lively and funny guy who loves to describe each course we eat every night.  Generally there are 5 courses: Anti-pasti, Prima Pasti, Vegetable, Salad, and Dessert.  All the food is organic and fresh  He doesn't use anything which is frozen, and shops every day for the food.

Last night's Anti- pasti:  Tuscan Salame with large peppercorns, spinachini (baby spinach), and home made chicken liver pate' on Tuscan toast

Our chef- Andrea

We have been so spoiled.  The pasta is amazingly fresh (and made by our Chef's sister-in-law).  The vegetables and meats are from local producers and are incredibly tasty.  Our chef Andrea is a fabulously enthusiastic cook and loves to tell us all about each course.  He puts such heart into his efforts to serve an authentic and tasty representation of Tuscan cooking at it's finest.  I will miss his warm hospitality and our happy conversations about food and life and art.  His talents and sweet friendship really added to my time here. He offers classes in his home kitchen and comes to the US to cook in the off season for special events.  I hope to find my way to his table again...either here or on our side of the Atlantic.

Arrivederci San Fedele...I will leave a little part of my heart here.

Take a photo...then "Imagineer" Your Own Reality!

I am not a" great photographer.  I respect photographers and know that getting the right image is about planning, timing, study, readiness, equipment and technical savvy.  These days, it's also about editing know-how just as in the past it was also very much about dark-room know how.  Photography is art.  Photographs can be beautiful and complete as an art form. However, for me...photos are just the beginning.  That's why I am a painter.

Yesterday I was in Siena.  A town behind a massive wall on a hill...a description which could fit many towns in Tuscany.  This one has the distinction of being the owner of St. Catherine's head!  Oh, and her right finger too!  How grisly and medieval is that?  There she was today...what's left of her that is.  Not to disrespect her or anything, but as far as I'm concerned, cutting off her head and putting her decaying face in a box for all to see is not necessarily respectful  When I go, close the casket and remember me as I was.  She was very important to the residents of the city and they claimed her as their own...however when she died in Rome, they kept her remains as relics and charged for seeing them or being blessed by them.  Citizens of Sienna staged a guerrilla raid on Rome and chopped off her head...and her finger (how random!) and then brought them back in a box to her home town.  And here she is to this day...

Siena is very hilly and filled with old buildings, gelato shops, lots of tourists and beautiful little vistas wherever you look.  It's a great town to photograph and wander around, which is what we did today.  I was like a dog on the trail of a good scent...just following my nose (or in this case my eyes) from one thing to the next.  My new friend and roommate, Sally, was my partner in crime.  We stumbled upon a great site today with laundry on the line, shadows and cool architecture.  We stood there at the side of the road and drew it in our little pads...took photos and then kept on.

At one point Sally told me she had found a shopping mall.  I followed her in there and we saw lots of people but no shops.  We stumbled on some nice bathrooms, so we took advantage.  There were lots of bars to assist with mobility and pull chords for emergency on the walls...that should have been our first clue.  When we came out, we realized that there were all kinds of old people and nurses...Then it dawned on us...we had somehow found our way into a convalescent home!  We began laughing so hard and making fun of ourselves, but even so, I was taken with some of the cool faces and old people around us.  What was even more funny was that they weren't moving too fast, so it made taking their photos easier. I didn't feel comfortable taking obvious photos of the old folks, so Sally volunteered to stand in the vicinity of a couple of choice characters and I surreptitiously took these shots.

Photos are a very necessary part of my process.  They provide me with resources from which I can "imagineer" a painting.  For example, when we drew a spot on location I felt that it needed a point.  When you looked at the city landscape I had drawn, it didn't seem to have enough life for me.  I decided it needed people to give it some life.  

It was time to use a photo reference.  I was taken by the story which was told in a photo I took earlier in the day.  The little boy blowing bubbles was interacting with an elderly man on the street.  Charming!  I decided that those two characters belonged in my drawing in order to remind me of my experience here.  They were not in the same place in the same time at all, but because I'm a painter, they ended up right where I wanted them to be.  Photos are the reference, but the fun for me is found in the the ability to create my own reality.

As a PS to my previous entry...I found out that the very spot I climbed to get the photo below was a former celtic place of worship.  There are stone circles on this site and as I sat upon one of them I was visited by my little friend the fawn.  How cool is it to think that this ancient holy place gifted me with an innocent spiritual present?  That fawn symbolized innocence, vulnerability, and being present in that place.  I am even more convinced that he was sent as some sort of heavenly affirmation.  One more reason to love Tuscany!

Day 3- Castellini and Villa Casa Nova di Chianti- Painting En Plein Air

Our destination today was Castellini...a small town about 15 minutes by car from our home base.  We took 3 vans and went to town to find nice locations to paint.  I brought my good camera, a fold up stool, a backpack with a pad of Arches 140 and a small watercolor travel pad, my travel palette of watercolors, brushes, a water bottle, sun bonnet, jacket, a collapsible water holder, paper towels, sepia marker, a pencil, a black marker, and an eraser. It all fit in my rolling backpack and I definitely had everything I needed.


I took a few photos at first and tried to find a place that called to me to be painted.  This one was quiet, and I had a vantage point that was in the shade without anyone around.  I decided to try my hand at this.  At first I did a sketch in my mini sketch book with an elegant writer marker.  I then took a brush with water and made the lines bleed.  This is a really fun value foundation for painting.  I then added my watercolors for a little more color and the paper got a bit mushy. Once nice thing that happened is that a bunch of other students joined me in my little corner and we had fun painting together.  The lady who lives there also was kind enough to hang a shirt on the line for me.  I was going to have to  make up some laundry so that was very fortunate. Later on, the lines above were filled with laundry too.  I guess that's what happens on sunny days in Tuscany!

When my paper began to get mushy I decided to try it again on better paper.  When will I learn?!  NEVER paint on anything but good paper!!!  How many times have I said it to my students???  And here I am proving my point by making the same mistake yet again.  Getting out my 140 Arches, I sat on my little tripod stool and drew it again.  I began with pencil and then once I had my perspective lines in place, I quickly went to my sepia marker.  I'm finding that I like the quality of the marks it makes much better when I'm drawing on location.  The lines are better and the value is perfect.  It's a Staedler sepia marker and I just love it.  Karlyn Holman is a fan, and I am too.
My back side was getting tired and the light was changing so I got up to walk around a little bit.  I happened on a little boy and an elderly man...perhaps his grandpa.  The little boy was blowing bubbles and it was charming.  When I went back to my drawing, I thought it might be nice to put them into the scene.  The student next to me had injected a dog into the little scene, and I thought that a little life might be a good idea in my street scene.  So I drew the little Bubble boy and his elderly friend.  My sketch was complete and it was time for lunch.

After lunch we forced ourselves to enjoy a gelato and then caught a ride back to home base.  Once there, I needed a little coffee to offset the wine I had at lunch, because a few of us were going on a hike to a local villa on the next hill.

The place is owned by Dutch owners and we are able to visit without disturbing anyone.  The hike to get there was about 1/2 hr, and I got the chance to spend more time with Karlyn's co-teacher Bonnie.  She is great and really a good painter and teacher. I enjoyed getting to spend more time with her today.  Once we got there, I took photos, and decided to hang back to try and make a sketch of the great architecture and cool roof elements.  I was able to climb up on a small hill and perch there to get a better perspective on the roof elements.  I loved the weathervane and the chimnies...they were what interested me and from up on this little mound of rocks and grass I could see them better.














When you compare the next 2 photos I think you'll see why I like to use my zoom lens.  These two photos are the same sight.  I zoom in on the first and don't use a zoom on the second.  The composition gets flattened when you use a zoom, and I think it lends itself to a more pleasant perspective.  What do you think?

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I preferred the first composition so that is what I based my drawing on.  I began by placing my favorite element...the weathervane...in the upper left sweet spot of my drawing.  Then I went from there.  The weathervane ended up being a little larger than life...but I didn't mind that.  I got the drawing in by finding my perspective lines and big shapes in pencil, but quickly went to the Staedler pen again as soon as I felt I could.  Given my experience this morning, I figured it was the best way to go fast.










Here's the drawing without paint.  Karlyn is a big proponent of laying in shadows first.  The shadows were awesome at that point so I quickly mixed up some lavendars and blues and tried to capture them.  The light was changing but I tried to move as quickly as I could and went from light, to medium to dark shadows. I knew that I was taking longer than expected and didn't want to miss the critique for the end of the day's work, so I called it a day and started to pack.  






This is what my painting looked like with a few shadow forms in place.  










The final blessing of the day was a silent visit from my little friend below.  It was magical to share that moment with such a sweet creature. No words were exchanged....none were needed.   I think he is an Italian fawn.  He came at just the right moment and I was able to take a few photos.  A sweet ending to a fabulous day of painting en plein aire!

The day's final blessing!

Drawing vs. Painting

Today was a day spent doing a drawing of a courtyard scene here at our home base.  Normally I like to paint...and I don't necessarily choose to usually have photorealism or even detail as my goal.

When it comes to drawing, it's a funny thing...when I get a pencil in my hand or take pen to paper, something changes.  All of a sudden I get interested in detail.  When I draw something, I develop an intimacy with the subject of my drawing that is unattainable by any other means.  It's incredible the nuanced details that jump out at me.  I can see something fresh about my subject after drawing it for 2 hours and think," How did I not see that before?"

That happened a lot to me today.  I took pen in hand and decided to do a pen and wash painting the way Karlyn Holman does it.  She likes to lay in a pen drawing and then do cast shadows.  She has a color formula for which colors should go underneath which.  Basically, she advocates complimentary shadow colors as foundation for developing your final colors..  This was my subject:

"Before you are able to draw, you have to learn to see, and you learn to see by drawing. (Mick Maslen)"

The quote above is a good one.  I felt that I was seeing intensely today.  I admit that I was very distracted by the crowded conditions and the dark space in which we were painting.  I had to move outdoors to get a little space and some light.  It was lovely, but a little chilly.  Once I found my spot and organized my materials, I started to draw.  Then it was time for lunch. Then it was time for a lecture on perspective done by another Instructor, Bonnie. 

One thing that we have here at the workshop is a great little eraser on an elastic string...a gift from Karlyn.  It comes in very handy worn around the neck.  It's also a great tool for perspective.  Those of you in my class be sure to remind me to show you how it works.

Then it started to rain.  Then it started to hail!  By the time I gathered my things and took cover, I felt as if I'd accomplished very little.  Once the sun came out, I took some photos and started up again.  I came up with a few cast shadows, going in with some Cobalt blue and some Permanent Magenta.  Before I knew it, they were ringing the dinner bell and it was time to head to a local Agritourismo winery down the road.  I had to stop and leave it at this sketch...which will have to be completed at a later date.  

I'm not unhappy with my drawing, but I'm not sure about how well I've laid in the cast shadows.  All in all, I felt as if I was battling distraction all day and didn't concentrate very well.  That happens sometimes to me in workshop settings.  I am just going to enjoy what I can from every day and not put pressure on myself to do great work in every setting.

Tomorrow we are off to a small town to paint on location.  I'm packed and looking forward to it.  Hoping the rain doesn't fall and that the temperature is a little warmer too.  If drawing slows me down, I may try to paint and draw later, or not draw at all.  There are varying opinions on the need to draw, and on different days, I agree with different of these artists.  We'll see what tomorrow holds...

“If one draws the subject precisely, only then can the freedom of the brushstroke be achieved.”  Gayle Lee

I never draw except with brush and paint... (Claude Monet)
Drawing helps you become familiar with the subject. It releases you from working out so many things on canvas, and thereby increases your freedom as a painter. (Richard McDaniel)

Getting There is Half the Battle

First of all, let me say that when traveling to Europe, First Class helps the overnight experience.  I had advice to take some Tylenol PM to make sleeping a little easier.  Since I could only find Advil PM, I took that instead.  Being able to lay flat and prop myself with a few pillows actually allowed me to get a few hours rest.  I've not had a seat that lays flat before, so this was new and wonderful!  I arrived in Dusseldorf feeling somewhat rested.

I don't speak any German, so the first thing I did as a groggy traveler was to order "kaffe",  The waiter spoke perfect English. That made the whole experience very easy.  Negotiating the airport was a l,ittle disorienting because my flight was not listed on the board. It was a little confusing at first.  Then I realized that no flights after 10 AM were on the board and I relaxed a bit.

I was a little nervous about making my connection in Florence with my tour group.  Set to arrive at 10 minutes prior to the bus's departure, I knew that in that 10 minutes, I had to get my luggage, clear customs and find them.  Thank goodness for skype!  I finally figured out how to get on the WiFi after a few misfires.  Once I got on WiFi, then I had to translate each site, so my 30 paid minutes was up by the time I was ready to place the call.

I got through via Skype and let Michael know that I was going to be arriving very close to the time of departure.  He assured me they would wait.  I sighed a big sigh of relief and relaxed to have another cup of kaffe.  What is it about European coffee?  They just do it better.  In fact, that cup of capuccino was just about the best thing I've ever put in my mouth.  So good, that I had to have another.

Once fully caffeinated, I made my way to the gate.  Very few people were there...that should have been my first clue.  When I approached the gate, another couple of American gals did so along with me.  The agent very nonchalantly told us that the flight was cancelled.  It was about 45 minutes before the departure time.  We had to go collect our luggage and re-book ourselves on another flight. Thankfully, there was a flight headed to the Florence later that day.  Lisa and her sister took me under their wing.  We would watch one another's luggage and stayed with one another's stuff as we would get things to eat or go to the restroom.  It was a great comfort to have them to lean on.  Lisa was even kind enough to let me use her iPhone to make another call to the contact person at my destination telling them I would arrive even later.  They offered to pick me up...it would be a significant charge for doing so, but at least I would get there and not have to deal with bus stations and trains.

My buddies during a long day in Dusseldorf

Lesson Number 2: Pay to get an international calling plan for my phone.  I thought I could use my computer and the internet for skype.  My plan was foiled when my computer ran out of battery at the airport and I didn't have the proper 3-prong receptive charger.  Nor were there many electrical outlets in the airport.  Electric outlets are not as available in Europe.  I tend to forget that fact between trips.

When I arrived at the Florence airport, I was greeted by the owner of our restored 14th Century Monastery, Il Chiostro.  His name is Nicolo.  He and his wife Renatta left their very successful business careers to spend 7 years restoring a completely abandoned abbey which was in ruins.  Their vision was to create a destination which would provide an experience that was uniquely Tuscan and based on the history of their special place.  They succeeded!  In the 45 minute drive I was treated to a history of their experience renovating the place.  It was romantic and great to hear an obviously successful and accomplished guy give credit and show obvious love for his wife.  I respect a man who loves and respects his wife.

I walked into a meal prepared with organic foods, homemade pasta, and sulfate free wines.  Their food doesn't have those labels to be chic, it's just how they eat and drink.  The wines are fresh and meant to be drunk young, so there is no need to preserve them with sulfites.  The vegetables are fresh and grown locally. The chef's sister made the pasta and everything was delicioso!

After about 30 hrs I found myself in my room and able to settle in for a night of rest. Can't wait for what tomorrow is going to bring!

Tuscany Here I Come! Tough or Fearless?

. Tuscany Here I Come! Tough or Fearless?

Those of you who see me all the time, know that today marks the beginning of a huge adventure.  I’m off to Europe to paint in Tuscany!  Traveling on my own…that’s a new twist on travel for me.  I’ve been married to a detail oriented guy for most of my life now, and though I’m capable of handling details, my husband Paul is good at being "pilot in command".  Letting him be in charge feels more relaxing and that’s part of the vacation experience for me.  This trip is different.  I’m going to have to stay sharp.  It’s a little scary, but it’s already been fun.  Traveling on your own somehow makes you accessible.  People seem friendlier.  Maybe it’s something about the energy I send out when I'm by myself...maybe I’m more open to interaction.  That’s food for thought...

I got to the airport with 2 checked bags…one with art materials and the other with belongings.  I probably brought too much.  I have a rolling backpack and a camera bag that is doubling as my purse.  I think the $5 tip to the valet at the curb was the best $5 I’ve ever spent.  Thanks to him I wasn't charged for my backpack as a carry-on.  Spirit Airlines loves to charge for that luggage!

I saw my friend Ann Berg at the TSA check-in for security and gave her a smooch on the way to the check-point.  I asked her if it was against the law to kiss the TSA agent, and we agreed that neither one of us cared! ;-) What a great beginning to my morning!

Once at the gate, I relaxed and got a cup of coffee.  As I got on the plane, I ran into another friend, Pamela.  She was on her way to a wedding in NYC and we made lunch plans for when I got back by talking across the aisle as others were boarding.  That started another conversation with folks in the seats next to me.  Normally I don’t do a lot of visiting with fellow passengers, but like I mentioned earlier…this trip something is different. 

At LaGuardia (which always seems startlingly decrepit…how can it be that the coolest city in the country has the worst airport?)  I then had to get to JFK for my flight to Dusseldorf.  I decided to take a cab and relax rather than deal with the bus.  As luck would have it, I got into Bettique’s yellow cab.  (With a name like that, she doesn't need a last name!) What a great ride!  She has been a yellow cab driver for over 30 years.  

I told her that I had never ridden with a female cabbie before, and she said that she was one of only a handful of women who drive in the city.  Apparently women cab drivers are less than 1% of the drivers.  She said over 55% are now Pakistani.  Years ago, when women were being targeted and killed, she said most women drivers quit.  She had some great stories of driving the cab and in talking, we found out that we both had been nurses in our past lives.  I commented that she must be tough to be a woman in her business.  She said she had to pay attention and be smart, but she would describe herself as “fearless”.  

I thought that was an interesting distinction.  There is a difference between being tough, and being fearless.  Tough implies being closed and impenetrable. Fearless implies openness and courage.  Before I knew it, she had me at JFK.  I’m so early for my flight that I can’t check in, so I have time to sit here and write this note. 

At my friend Janelle's shower yesterday, I saw a bunch of friends I love and admire.  At the party, many found out for the first time that I was leaving for Tuscany today.  It’s a unique thing to be able to go on this trip by myself, and hearing my friends’ reactions only reinforces that for me. It's really unusual to be going on this crazy and incredible trip by myself.  Do I need to be tough?  I don’t feel tough.  I’m a little anxious.  I’m scared about making connections and meeting up with my group at the right time, in the right place, at a foreign airport. What if I miss connections?  What if I can’t understand the language cues once I get there?  I don’t feel tough.  But after meeting Bettique, I’m encouraged.  Like her…I don’t want to be tough I just want to be fearless.  

New Painting Wins Award at Seacoast Artist Guild Spring Show 2013

This painting is a new one done with watercolor on a surface prepared with collage and gesso.  I learned this technique from one of my all-time favorite teaching artists- Gerald Brommer.  Snce then, I have used it numerous times and taught the technique to a few different classes.  I've learned from this experience, and I'm constantly amazed and gratified at how this technique can be used to achieve great results even if you're a relatively inexperienced painter.  

The painting above was awarded an honorable mention ribbon in the 2-D Painting category at the Seacoast Artist Guild Gallery's Spring Show in April.  I was thrilled to be selected as an award recipient and look forward to being an active participant in the new gallery at Market Commons.  As a member of the Seacoast Artist Guild for the last few years, I am happy to see this new gallery being established at Market Commons.  The more art can be promoted in our community, the better for all of us!  I will have paintings for sale at the gallery when it officially opens in May 2013.  

The Franklin Burroughs-Simeone Chapin Art Museum will be displaying two of my paintings in their current juried exhibition of paintings done by members of the Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild.  This painting as well as the one below were both accepted for inclusion in the show.  I encourage you to visit our local Art Museum.  It is located near Springmaid Pier and across from the Former Front Gate of the Airforce Base.  The show will be going on for the Month of May.  A reception for the show will be held Thursday May 2nd 5:30-7:30 at the museum. Think about joining me!

Creative Charity Event- Rebecca Zdybel, Summer Turner, Art & Soul Gallery, and Dr. Janet Crain get creative in Fire Recovery Efforts

Awaken Your Creative Self Workshop-

The link above will take you to another article written about our recent fundraiser to Benefit the Carolina Forest Fire Victims Fund which is administrated by the Salvation Army.

It was an amazing evening where we did some writing, and reflection on getting around our Inner Critic in order to allow our creative best to come alive.  Together we were able to donate $815 to the Salvation Army Charitable efforts for the Fire Victims and their families.





We drew trees, and then painted them...and our special guest, Dr. Janet Crain, did anonymous interpretations of the meaning behind the symbolic choices in our trees.  She is the creator of the mobile app, "Draw Me a Tree", and all of us were fascinated by what our trees might be telling us.  You may want to check it out for yourself!

Link to the "Draw Me a Tree" app

 Thanks to everyone who helped to make this special evening so rewarding for all concerned.  I'm so glad we did it!!!

Supply List- Watercolor        Rebecca Zdybel     April 2013

These materials are among my favorites, prices are approximate from online resources.  My students are always asking for a list of supplies which they can purchase.  If you are interested in investing and not wasting money, I'm sure that if you order from this list, you will not be disappointed by anything you buy.  It's very easy to be overwhelmed in Art Stores or purchase the wrong thing and waste your money.  I share this list in the hope to help you avoid both.  You may follow the links below to order from any of these sites online.

Happy Painting!

I suggest ordering from 

Dick Blick  http://www.dickblick.com/

or Jerry’s Artarama http://www.jerrysartarama.com/

Karlyn’s Gallery also has really nice supplies for cheap  https://karlynsgallery.worldsecuresystems.com/shop.htm

Cheap Joes http://www.cheapjoes.com/  shipping is slow from this site, but products are good and prices are fair

Palette/Trays:

White Holbein Jasper Tray  15.39, white butcher tray or white plastic plates/trays 

My favorite palette is Stephen Quiller’s Watercolor palette          20.29                                                                                             

Paints:  Artist quality watercolors will yield the most beautiful vibrant results.  Student grade paints or cheap watercolor kits will be duller in quality due to the fillers used to extend the paints and the less expensive pigments used for color.

2 reds:

·         Permanent Alizarin Crimson Sale $5.95

·         Permanent Rose- Sale $5.95

3 Blues:

·         Ultramarine  Sale Price:  $9.50

·         Cobalt    Sale price $7.00

·         Manganese $5.25

2 Yellows:

·         Winsor yellow  $4.65 or 8.50  or Aureolin  $7.00

·         New Gamboge 6.50 or 8.50

 Optional :

Quinacridone Gold  $5.95 or $10.30

Skips Green (American Journey- which is Cheap Joe's Brand of watercolor) $9.39

American Journey Poppy &/ or Fire Engine Red

Quinacridone Sienna  $11.79

American Journey Halloween Orange

Winsor Newton Payne’s Gray or Prussian

Antwerp Blue

Permanent Magenta

Scarlet Lake

Raw Sienna

Burnt Sienna

Phthalo Green

Brushes

 2 inch Hake brush  approx. $5

Natural bristle oriental brush size 1- approx. $2.79

Lowe Cornell Golden Taklon Series 7020 Ultra Round Sz 12  I often have these for sale and everyone loves them

Optional brushes that I recommend: 

Lowe Cornell Golden Taklon Series 7020 Ultra Round              Sz 10

Cheap Joes Golden Fleece 1 ½ or 2 inch wash                             $27.29

All Karlyn Holman’s brushes (available on her website) are very cheap and good performers

Link :  https://karlynsgallery.worldsecuresystems.com/shop.htm

Robert Simmons Sienna Synthetic Brush, One Stroke Flat, 3/4"(optional)           11.09

I also love the Robert Simmons Sky Flow wash brushes (1 ½ or 2 inch)

Kolinsky sable hair brush in size 12 round and size 10- very expensive but a lovely performer

Please use good Arches Paper to paint on:  I can provide your paper at my cost- $1 per quarter sheet

If you order paper, then I suggest starting with Cold press 140 lb Arches rough or smooth

Sketch pad for sketching or taking notes doing value studies- My favorite Aquabee Superdeluxe     9X12 pad  $14.29

Notebook and paper -  for gathering handouts and taking notes

Newsprint pad for sketchingTracing Paper large sheets

Pencil for drawing 2B and optional 4-6 B

Sharpie Marker

Elegant Writer Marker in Black  approx. $3

General Eraser Set $2.29  you will want a kneaded eraser and may want a white pearl eraser too

Oops! Eraser- helps erase pencil marks which have been painted over

Clips- 4 bulldog type

Masking Tape  2” wide natural/tan colored


Spray bottles- Fine mist and heavy mist, small misting bottles can be handy for applying paint too

You’ll need a firm support to transport paintings and to use as a surface to work on:  Hard smooth plywood board or Gatorboard (you may borrow the gallery’s while in class ) or Homosote board covered in shrink wrap or packing tape 22 X  32(full sheet)  16-17 X 22-23(half-sheet)

Matte Yes! Glue    16 oz                                       11.99   Flexible Straws,
Pebeo Drawing Gum              45ml                        $5.99
Bamboo sticks

Creative Mark Flo Expressions Bottles –  I sometimes have these for purchase.  These are fine tipped applicator bottles which are very fun to use and make interesting lines.

 

April Open Studio Sessions

April Open Studio Art Sessions 

with Rebecca Zdybel- Artist

Interested in Painting or Drawing?  Come to my Open Studio Sessions and enjoy a pleasant chance to draw and paint, or simply do your thing.  Let my personal studio become your place to explore your creative self!

March Introductory Rate- $10/hr  March Dates for Open Studio Sessions                        

Sun 3-24 from 1-6, Mon 3-25 from 1-8PM, Sun 3-31 from 1-6

April Rates:  

·        $90/monthly (9 hours of studio time) additional hours at a rate of $10/hour.                     

·       Or if you prefer- $15/hour

Price includes instruction at your level in an area of art which is of interest to you.  I will assist you in developing project ideas, or give helpful critique to those who bring in their own work.  The open studio concept allows you to work on your own project at your own pace, using the medium of your choice.  The studio environment allows you to share the experience, avoid the mess, and have equipment and instruction readily available.  Want to sip a little tea or glass of wine while you paint…that’s allowed! 

No supplies? Don’t want to carry yours back and forth?

No Problem!- You may use mine for a small additional fee:

·         $5*- material fee for drawing,

·         $5*-watercolor,

·         $7*-for other media per class.

·         *fees are per session and some projects may have slight additional material costs

April Open Studio Sessions- 

·       Monday Apr 1^st 1-8 PM

·       Sunday Apr 7  1-6 PM,

·       Monday Apr 8 1-8 PM

·       Sunday Apr 14^th  3-6 PM

·       Monday Apr 15^th  1-8 PM

·       Sunday Apr 21^st  1-6 PM

·       Monday Apr 22^th  1-8 PM

NO Open Studio Apr 28/29

Reservation Required- Contact me for reservations. 

843-450-2307 or email rzdybel@gmail.com

Private lessons at other times by special appointment available for $30/ hour

Share Love, Spread Light, DO ART!