STEVE PADDEN'S PORTABLE PAINTER

Don't know if you've heard of this product, but there's a nifty little travel palette on the market.  Created by Steve Padden (an industrial engineer with a degree in Fine Arts), this little palette is smaller than my Holbein and looks more travel-worthy.  I was sent a sample by Steve's publicist, Lorna Garano, and said I would give it an honest review.  So here goes...

Arriving in a nice little box, this travel palette is just sized 1" x 3" x 5.5" = as small as some smartphones!  



The metal nameplate in the middle slides off and on, holding the two black water containers to the palette, keeping everything secure when not in use.  There is a thick rubber band at the bottom that comes off and can hold pencils, brushes, etc. to the side of a water container when it's all set up.

Just slide the metal bar off, then slide off the black ends (the water containers) and the palette is shown.







Open it up and you have a nice little plastic palette in white with 12 open wells for your own choice of pigments.  

The hardest part for me was choosing just 12 colors!  So I was glad I received the sample that comes with 12 extra wells - that way, you can change out color or, as I did, use the included glue dots to glue extra wells into a small tin = perfect!


The palette also comes with it's own double-headed brush, but I found the synthetic brush wasn't to my liking so I will use my own travel brushes with this.

So, the water containers slide onto the sides of the palette and you're ready to roll.  





You can see what colors I finally chose to add to the 12 wells of the palette.

You can see the extra wells (with glue dots included) in the bag here, the open palette used with the included brush and a small painting (not great but I can do better).

With the addition of your favorite watercolor sketchbook and some paper towels or a small cloth towel, you are ready to roll.


My take on this Portable Painter palette?

1)  I'm not too keen on the brush included so use your own travel brushes.  I like a softer brush and have 6 travel brushes, some by Daniel Smith, some by Winsor Newton, all easy to fit in a small bag with this palette when I take it with me.

2)  I would like more wells but worked about that by getting an Altoids tin and adding a few extra wells to it.  That also can pack into a bag with this set to travel.

3)  As with most plastic palettes, the initial mixing areas are very slick and the paint just pools in funny blobs on it.  That was fixed by using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (original white, not the newer perfumed ones) and roughing up the mixing areas a bit so the paint will flow better.  


That's it!  At it's small size (1" x 3" x 5.5") it's handy to take with you in a small bag and it's made to be sturdy when out in the field by placing the water containers on each side.  This makes the bottom flat so you can hold it draped over your knee - or the containers filled with water keep it sturdy enough when placed on any uneven surfaces you find outside.  Guys, it's small enough you can put it in a pocket and take out with you!


I recommend it enough to say it will now replace my beloved Holbein travel palette for road-trips or just days out.  If you're interested in purchasing one for yourself or a watercolor friend, just go to
https://www.portablepainter.com/shop

The Original Portable Painter (12 half-pan wells) is $29.95. The Portable Painter with 12 extra half-pans and adhesive disks is $35.95.


I will use it more as the spring days go by and give you updates about durability, transportability, leakage, etc. 


You can learn more by checking out The Portable Painter web site, find it on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  There are other bloggers who've used it an given reviews and you can find them from the main web site.  

Thanks, Lorna, for sending this very cool new item to add to my watercolor toolbox!  And thanks, Steve, for imagining and creating this new travel palette!

APRIL CROWS - DRAWING FOR GIVE-AWAY

Okay, the random number generator did the work and since there were so few entries, I ran the numbers twice and the first people to come up twice won.  So... they were in order of entry with Laura #1
and so on down to
Debbie #7

The winning numbers were:
3
6
1

So the winners are:
Laurie
Jennifer Rose
and
Laura.

Congratulations, you three!

And you all had a different first choice pick so you all get your first choice which is:

Laurie gets crow painting #3  (Laurie, your painting in on Yupo so it will need to be spray sealed before mailing and I'll let it air out a bit so it doesn't have a strong smell when it gets to you.  Spray sealing it assures that any moisture contacting the painting won't make any of the colors run.)

Jennifer Rose gets crow painting #7

and
Laura gets crow painting #4

That worked out great with no two wanting the same first choice painting!

Now, all I need is your mailing address, ladies, and you can email me that by clicking on my information in the upper right by my photo, getting my email and sending an email to me with your mailing info (including last name, please).  I will mail the paintings out next week and hope they all get to you by June (it might take a while to get to Canada and Scotland through customs).  

I hope you all enjoy your paintings.  Thanks for participating and following with the crow series!  And thanks to all you follow me every week and comment - you are all winners to me!!

DRAWING TOMORROW

The random number drawing for the give-away for a crow painting is tomorrow!  If you want to be in the draw, just post a comment listing your three favorite paintings.  

After that, I have a review to give of a free travel palette I was mailed - check that out and see if it’s something you might want to add to your travel gear.

WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Here are all the crow paintings done in April.  When choosing your favorite (just top 3, please), just put the info (number of the painting) in the comment.  And you’re entered for the give-away!  I will then draw the top 3 numbers and those 3 lucky winners will get a painting they say is one of their favorites.  Easy as pie!  

# 1.    


                               
#2.


#3.

Numbers 1-3 are painted on Yupo (the "plastic paper" and I will spray seal them before shipping (so the paint does not run if it gets wet in shipping or after).  So they may have a smell of the spray sealant for a while but that will fade.  They are all 3 on a sheet of Yupo 11 x 14 inches.

#4.

#5.

#6.

Numbers 4-6 are painted on Arches 140# rough paper.  They are all 7 x 10 1/4 inches.

#7.

Number 7 is painted on Arches 140# cold press.  It is 11 x 14 inches.

#8.

#9.

#10.

Numbers 8-10 are painted on Stonehenge Aqua hotpress. Numbers 8 and 9 are 10 x 14 inches and number 10 is cut down to 9 1/2 x 11 inches with room to mat over the ends of the "broomstick". :)

#11.

Number 11 is painted on Yupo and is 11 x 14 inches.  It will be spray sealed before shipping, if this is one that is chosen and won.  

Okay, here we go - just post a comment with the top three favorites.  Then I will do a random drawing of names from a hat and you will get your top choice (unless someone else ahead of you gets it - which is why I'm asking for your top three).  I will pick three winners and will ship anywhere.  Once you've won, I'll post the winners and then you can email me your mailing address and I will get them out in the mail as soon as possible so you will have it by June or July (even if it's going to Timbuktu!).

Due to some things taking me away from the blog for a couple of days, I won't pick the winner until the 10th so you have time to get your comment.  

Good luck!  And thanks for sticking with me through this month of crows!

LAST ONE

Last one of the crow paintings for April.  This one is on Yupo.


Stay tuned for the full listing and information about how to enter the give-away for May (probably no sooner than May 5 so you have time to enter once the paintings are up).

I will mail anywhere so don't think just because you're not in the U.S., you don't have a chance!

ALMOST THE END OF APRIL

Holding On


A windy day crow.  Almost the end of April.  Sorry, I missed yesterday but having migraines and, probably, allergic reactions (sinus headaches and pain) to all the pollen right now.  It is crazy!!!


At least one more to come to finish the month off, then I'll get the information together on all the paintings.  Then you can choose your favorite (which will be your entry into the give-away for May of one painting - hopefully, you'll win your favorite!).  

CAPTURED THE MOON

Captured the Moon





We're getting towards the end of April and the Crow Challenge for myself will be over. 

Then I'll repost all of the paintings with information about size, what paper they are on, etc.  Then we can have a give-away based on who wants one and wants to enter the give-away (I guess I'll do a random number drawing to see who wins and there will be more than 1 winner).  I'll send out the rules when all the crows are done :)  

CROWS HUNTING EASTER EGGS

Well, it was Easter and I was thinking about Easter bunnies and chocolate eggs - so I wondered if crow families hunt Easter eggs in the field?  


This one is on 7 x 10 inches Arches 140# rough paper.  And calling it

Found One!

SING OUT

On Stonehenge Aqua hotpress 140# paper






Sing out, Sister!

STILL PAINTING CROWS? YEP!

Painted on Stonehenge Aqua 140# hotpress paper.  Watercolor, fluid acrylic, playing.



The High Wire Act 

SHE SELLS

A sea shell drawn to practice observational skills.  


I had a set of calipers at one time, but can't find them anywhere to help me measure.  But not too bad on this one - a bit here and there until I build up more shape and shadow.  A fine natural illustration artist could make this seem like 2 shells sitting there on the paper, but I'm not there yet.

DRAWING

As part of the Natural History Illustrator's Course online I'm taking, I am trying to get out the graphite pencils and paper and draw more.  But also to make myself slow down, take my time, and do a little at a time (if I go too long or do too much, I just ruin it and stop looking while just making marks).  So...here's a beginning of a crow's talon/foot.  I want to try to get it right but I swear I want to just put it aside and paint something like it instead!  I must have been hiding behind the door when they handed out patience!

The paper is a dull warm white so it does look like this and I'll continue to share as I struggle along - if you can bear it!  This is just the first and second step, and you can see how messy I am when using graphite or charcoal (I get it all over my hand, arm, and the paper - I should put something down over the paper but never remember to do that).  

Oh, well.  I know I don't have the determination to put down all that leathery bit under the  talons but might hint at a few...
  

NO. 7 WITH NO. 6?

On Stonehenge Aqua 140# hotpress paper (I like that stuff!).  Drew the main crow, then did the stamp of the crow (I carved this myself a few year's back) using fluid acrylic.  Next = splattered with misket and watercolor all over (covered the stamped crow before doing that).

Now...where to go with this one?

NUMBER 6

Stamp, fluid acrylic on Stonehenge Aqua 140# hotpress.  This is going to be part of a larger painting - but I'll show you that other part soon.


I signed up for an online drawing course through a university in Newcastle, Australia - it's called Natural History Illustration and goes into observational drawing (which means slowing down, taking time, looking a lot and measuring, etc.).  I'm not taking it for a grade or certificate (so it's free!) but I will try to follow along (weekly lessons with videos and information). Not sure I have the patience for it, but it won't hurt to try to slow down and look more than draw (or paint). I got turned on to the course from Painted Thoughts Blog by Laure Ferlita and she talks about it here on her blog.  (Thanks, Laure!).

CROW NO. 5

Crow No. 5 on a scrap of Arches 140# rough (?) I think.  It doesn't seem to be coldpress and definitely not hotpress.


Fluid acrylic, stamp, and watercolor.




Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

CROW NO. 4 - ON ARCHES 140# ROUGH

Painted on Arches 140# rough, 7 x 10, using Daniel Smith Shadow Violet and a touch of red (the background stones were done using a new stencil and with black ink). 




Crow No. 4

ON YUPO - CROW NO. 3

As you can see, I got bored with just painting a crow and decided to add the feather stencil and then play with texture in the background just pressing things into the still-wet watercolor there.  What do you think?  


The third crow of April, also on Yupo.  

ON YUPO - CROW NO. 2

This crow is saying, 
What is that thing in the sky??

Oh, yeah, it's the sun.  It's been a while since we've seen much of it here in Kentucky so she's a bit confused.




Second crow of April - on Yupo.  I won't paint them all on Yupo but thought I'd start that way and see where it goes.  I will also do some on my hotpress paper, and maybe even rough Arches.  Or a print, or...so maybe days in April and so many ways to go with the crows.

ON YUPO - CROW NO. 1

Painted on my new Yupo paper pad of papers.  The first crow of April :)




When I first began taking watercolor lessons from Sandy Maudlin in Indiana, we painted on nothing but Yupo paper.  I didn't learn until weeks later (we met once a week) that others painted on watercolor paper! ha ha  She had a lot of grumbling in that class because some people just didn't like the way watercolor and Yupo worked, but I took to it easily and found it fun.  We finally started painting on just watercolor paper, and I didn't return to Yupo for a long time.  But a nice new pad of the "paper" came in the mail, so I thought I'd play a bit and what better way to play than with crows.

Look for more coming this month!  

A MONTH OF CROWS

Going to use my new art supplies and do a month of crows.  
So beginning in April, we'll see how it goes!

One crow for sorrow,
Two crows for joy,
Three crows for a girl,
Four crows for a boy.
Five crows for silver,
Six crows for gold,
Seven crows for a secret never to be told.


How many will I do and what will the secret be?  
Perhaps a give-away to you from me?

STRANGER THINGS

Well, it seems I can't post to some blogs - if I'm using my iPad.  But I can post to those blogs if I'm on the desktop.  So it's a blogger/iPad problem (probably a Safari/Chrome problem).  

 I'll just have to get more time on the desktop (although that's Sweetie's area and I have to wait until he's doing something else - like watching basketball!! - to get on for a while). 

ART SUPPLIES - MISSING MUSE

April is going to be fun - I've picked up a few more playthings for my muse (hope she returns in April or I may just have to go on without her!).

EASTER

Watercolor on all media art paper with a tiny bit of collage.





Calling this one 
Easter.

ACRYLIC AND COLLAGE REVISED

Another one - revised.  On all media art paper using acrylics and collage.  

LAST REVISION

The last revision of the acrylic and collage on all media paper.  

SPRING ABSTRACTION INTO BITS

Abstracted painting cut into pieces, then laid side-by-side to create something else entirely.  I could glue it all to a support but I just pinned all the pieces to the cork board in my little art room.  May use some of the pieces for something later.  

BLUE BIRD

Blue bird waiting for spring.




Painted on Stonehenge Aqua hotpress 140# paper.  

MIXED MEDIA PAPER AND WATERCOLOR

Wet and windy day...

ANOTHER ACRYLIC PAINT AND COLLAGE

Acrylic painting, then collage on top (cut from a pretty paper napkin), some Japanese art paper (dyed) added and finished with dark graphite stick (water soluble).  

HAPPY PI DAY!

PAINT AND COLLAGE

Acrylic painting, then collage pieces added (from magazine and the Japanese art paper I dyed with watercolor).  Then finished with some dark water soluble graphite stick. 

Still going into my little art room and just pulling out bits and pieces and doing...whatever. 

MIXED MEDIA PAPER

Watercolor on mixed media paper (not sure what brand).  The paper is a bit slick but not like Yupo - the paint doesn't sink into the paper.  Just flinging paint around with no plan when I go into my little art room.



Weeping Willow

IS IT BLOGGER OR ME?

I have had some issues with posting on friends’ art blogs recently - namely, Lisa, Bruce, Jennifer Rose and Myrna.  I post my comments and hit the send...and it just sits there OR I get through the send part and I have to pick the bus, the traffic light, the crosswalk in a set of photos OVER and OVER and OVER.  Don’t know what the deal is but just know that I do see what you’re doing, dear art friends, and I do want to comment but blogger is giving me fits.  And it’s not all blogs, just some, so what is that about?

Oh, well, just saying hello and loving your recent stuff Lisa and Myrna.  And saying hello I’m still reading your posts Bruce and Jennifer.

Have a good weekend - we Spring Forward here so everyone’s complaining already about losing an hour of sleep this weekend.  Well, guess it’s better than complaining about the state of U.S. politics!

JAPANESE ART PAPERS

A friend of mine (thanks, Jane W!) gave me some Japanese art papers she purchased and couldn't use (she's a colored pencil artist and these papers are too thin and porous for that).  So I have 3 rolls of interesting paper.  I've used them for batik in the past but don't do that anymore so...just decided to dye a few sheets using watercolor.  

Not sure what the papers are called - there are so many names of the art papers.  These first 2 have fine little bits included and the last 2 have larger threads.


I will probably use them in collage work at some time.  

Right now, I'm not really painting.  I think it's the usual winter blues that's got me down.  Not feeling very creative so burying myself in books for a while.  


I did order some new supplies from Cheap Joe and that may perk me up when they come in.

Sweetie likes this last one the best (this one is made by pouring acrylic ink from a pour bottle).  Sweetie says this reminds him of ice frozen on a window :)  If ice on a window was this colorful, I might not have the winter blues!




I hope you are all feeling well, healthy, and thinking about spring.  We're having snow again - Mother Nature doesn't know (or doesn't care) that it's almost spring.  Until then...stay warm and safe.

STONEHENGE

On the Stonehenge Aqua hotpress paper.  Just an imaginary thing.  Not crazy about it (looks too childish), but sometimes it's okay to just get paint on paper.

7 x 10 ROUGH BUT NOT A BIRD

Still playing in my 7 x 10 Arches 140# rough block and my Stonehenge Aqua 140# hotpress block.  


This one is in the 7 x 10 - but not a bird.  Just an imaginary landscape of sea and sky and grasslands.




I know Jennifer hates the pushpins in the edges but I'm no longer pushing them through the paper, just letting them touch the edges to hold it on the corkboard so I can photograph the paintings when they are done :)