Red
Thursday, 10 May 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials

Gray and Neutral Colors, Sources, Functions and Mixing

Gray Sources in History: In Victoria Finlay’s Color: A Natural History of the Palette, she writes about the first sources of gray as being the remnants of fire. However, one of the best materials found for drawing was willow charcoal. Much later, in Somerset, England, Percy Coate had been a willow basket maker. The demand
a cat on its back wanting a belly rub, "The Sea Otter Pose"
Wednesday, 02 May 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials

Meaning of black in culture, sources and history of the pigment and dye.

   Meanings of Black: A black object is one that absorbs all colors in the spectrum and reflects back no colors. Not found in the spectrum, it is the absence of light. In pre Christian times, it would represent death, sickness, witchcraft, and negation. In Christian symbolism, it also means death; it is the liturgical color
small watercolor in blue and violets, landscape
Friday, 27 April 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials

Blue: Color of Truth, Cobalt, Porcelain, Glass, Paint

Blue: Historic Symbols: Blue and sky have an association in all cultures. It is said in the Talmud that Moses received the Ten Commandments carved on blue stone. In Christian art, it is used for the Virgin Mary’s clothing. It has the meaning of heavenly love, the unveiling of truth (as in the parting of
Sallie Bowen Studios Fall Thistles in Orange
Friday, 20 April 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials, Uncategorized

Orange: History of Pigments, Toxicity, Ingredients, Symbolism and Benefits

Orange in History: “New Orange” was once the name of New York City, in 1673. The Dutch were occupiers of the region during the second Dutch- Anglo war. Nepalese Buddhists use a dye of this color  to cast over holy sculptures to mean that they had given money to the temple. Saffron was used by
purple lilacs behind a wrought iron fence on a stone wall
Wednesday, 11 April 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials, Permanency, Watercolor

Purple: The color of royalty or death. History and Symbolism

Purple’s History:In Phoenician times, the source for this color was obtained from the murex shells found along the Mediterranean, in what is now Lebanon. The dye made from the mollusk was odiferous but highly sought. The Old Testament describes the ten curtains that were to be made for the Tabernacle. They were to be blue,
yellow blossom, prickly pear cactus
Wednesday, 04 April 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials

Yellow As a Pigment and a Slur

Yellow, along with red and blue, is one of the three primary colors. Primary colors are ones that cannot be made by mixing. By mixing with blue, it becomes green. When mixed with red, it becomes shades of orange. Symbolism of Yellow In paintings of St. Peter, he is often in a yellow mantle. This color
Pastel colors are used in his vertical watercolor, depicting Yucca, using arbitrary pastel colors rather than white.
Thursday, 29 March 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials

Pastels as Easter Colors, and Why Rabbits and Eggs

How do pastels relate to Easter? What are pastels as a Medium?   Pastels relate to both color (pale and light) and the medium.  Crushed chalk mixed with dry pigments are combined with a binder to create a “crayon”. It is used both in drawing and painting. This medium, given care as with any art form, will
white eggs as a watercolor, multicolored background
Friday, 23 February 2018 / Published in Colors, History, Materials

” White, a non-color? How can it be deadly?”

Why Is White Not a Color? White is not a color, technically. In light, it is mixture of all colors. A white object is reflecting back all colors, therefore none are absorbed. However, this is not true with pigments; mixing all colors will result in a muddy brown or gray. Symbolism in Christian Art: In Christian art this non-color has
Watercolor Permanency: Paint and Paper: What do I use?
Wednesday, 31 January 2018 / Published in Materials, Permanency, Watercolor

Watercolor Permanency: Paint and Paper: What do I use?

For the Art Buyer: For the art buyer or the beginner watercolorist interested in watercolor paper’s permanency, I have used d’Arches hand-made (in France) 100% cotton watercolor paper for many years.  D’Arches brand paper is made in the traditional way as when the company began in 1493. Other handmade brands include Fabriano, Whatman, and Stonehenge.For quality paper, the
Sallie Bowen Studios Snoqualmie, painted on d'Arches paper.
Thursday, 25 January 2018 / Published in Buying Art, History, Materials, Watercolor

Buying an Original Watercolor

Buying a Watercolor:What to Ask the Artist or Gallery about Permanency Permanency of Watercolor: So, buying a watercolor? Is this a wise choice? Is watercolor a permanent medium? How should the painting be protected? What questions should I ask the artist or the gallery? History of Watercolor: Albrecht Durer’s The Hare, created in 1502 is still on exhibit