Impressions Newsletter
July 2009
Greetings Everyone,June has really seen winter bite, but at least we know that the days are beginning to lengthen now, even if they are just as cold. Lewis has been feeling the cold since his return to NZ. The balmy days in Tuscany were a stark contrast to the rain and frosts that he returned too. He is glad however to be working back here. He checked out the picture framing scene in Italy while he was there, and despite the fact that some of the nicest and most stylish mouldings originate from Italy, he found that no framing business came close to offering the selection of materials that we do.
Last month we enjoyed a presentation given to Impressions Art Club by illustrator Jim Harris. Over 20 people turned out on the very wet and unpleasant evening to hear Jim speak. His obvious talent and life story told with great wit was very well received – in fact I had to intervene to let him get away! For anyone contemplating writing a book that needs illustration or any artist wishing to become involved in illustration, he had a number of key points to impart. It was a valuable and entertaining session.
Of course July is Arts Council Nelson, Impressions Regional Art Awards month. The date for entries to be submitted is Monday 20th. If you haven’t thought about entering yet it’s not too late. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.impressionsnelson.co.nz or collected from the store.
HintEasels
The word easel comes from the Dutch word “ezel” which I understand means “ass” or “donkey”. An easel is an important piece of equipment if you are serious about your painting. A piece of board propped up on the kitchen table is both awkward and inconvenient, (especially when you need to use the table to prepare food or to eat dinner).As you work on a painting, you find that it is important to stand back to view the work to evaluate how it is progressing, to identify problems and consider solutions. Constantly propping your work up against a door (for example) can be frustrating and inconvenient.
For artists working on larger paintings on stretched canvas or panels, it becomes essential to be able to adjust the level of the painting as well as the angle as required.Different easels are meant to do different jobs, so you need to think carefully about your painting needs when choosing an easel.
1. Table top easels – suit artists working on small pieces. Some have boxes to carry your art materials as part of the construction, and fold into a compact art case for easy portability.
2. Sketch easels – come in both timber and metal e.g. aluminium or stainless steel. These easels are generally lightweight and are built to hold a sketching board rather than a heavyweight canvas or panel. They are quick to erect and have three adjustable legs so that you can set up on uneven ground when outdoors. The metal ones have the advantage of being resistant to warping.
3. French Easels – these are box easels with legs, and which collapse into a case-format for easy portability. They are suited to painting with washes as the painting support can be tilted to any angle or laid flat.
4. Watercolour Easels – these easels are suited to the watercolour artist – the size of the painting support is suited to watercolour paper sizes, and it can be tilted to any angle – again ideal for applying watercolour washes. This easel is suited to an artist who likes to be seated when painting.
5. Studio Easels – as the name suggests, these easels are bigger and intended for use where the easel can be set up and left in place for whenever the artist chooses to work. However, many studio easels can be folded flat so that it can be stowed behind a door or in a cupboard when not in use, where the artist does not have a studio space. Many studio easels are easily adjustable with a ratchet mechanism for lifting and lowering the support tray.
Save your back and your painting by choosing the best easel for your needs. We are happy to demonstrate the respective properties of these different easels.
Impressions Art Club Members’ July Special
SAVE 20% on all ARTIST EASELS
Offer applies to all easels in stock.
New In Stock
DAS Professional Canvas.
We intend to gradually build up a range of the DAS Triple-Primed Professional Stretched Canvas, which is an excellent intermediary range of canvas, between the DAS economy ranges and the Museum range. The price sits in the middle of the two ranges and provides a very good alternative, although the size range is not as extensive.
Up-to-date canvas price lists are now available in-store for those interested (or email a request and a list will be sent by return email.)
Exhibitions
“Free Spirits” an exhibition of horse-themed paintings by Betty Salter opens Saturday 25th July at Art @ 203, 203 Trafalgar Street and runs for three weeks.
Art Tuition
1. A DAY OF COLOUR
A One Day Colour Seminar with Leading Colour Specialist MICHAEL WILCOX.
Michael is visiting from England to present this one day Seminar in Australia, and is considering holding a Seminar in Nelson in early October 2009 from 10am to 4pm if we can get enough interest.
Michael is the author of the book “Blue and Yellow Don’t Make Green”, inventor of the Split Primary System and the Colour Bias Wheel and Head of the School of Colour.
The Seminar will cover:
· All aspects of colour mixing and a full understanding of same
· The basics of colour harmony and contrast
· The selection of suitable materials and their use
· The mixing of greens
· The colours of shadows
· Mixing greys
· The colour of nature
· Making full use of the supplementaries.
The Seminar is for artists, craft workers, designers, interior decoratorsand all who use colour in their work or leisure.For more information on Michael’s colour mixing methods, his products, his books, check out his website www.schoolofcolour.com
Please register your interest by email at adeades@hotmail.com or phone on 03 539 4925 and pass it on to interested people.
2. Larisse Hall is now offering drawing tuition at Art @ 203, 203 Trafalgar St. You will find the details on our website www.impressionsnelson.co.nz
Whenever tuition information is updated it is added to the website, so if you are considering classes, check out what’s new.
Idea for a Mid-Winter Artist Workshop
How do you like the idea of a mid-winter weekend holiday arts workshop?
When I got into chatting with a customer recently at the counter, a germ of an idea suddenly blossomed. On this occasion, the customer was enquiring if there were any artist workshops planned for weekends closer to her home, as she cannot get into town for evening classes. It transpires that her business is the Nelson Lakes Motels & Sabine Lodge at St Arnaud and it would be a great venue to base a weekend, or even a week-long “holiday” class. The lodge is described as warm and friendly, has heated double, twin, family and dorm rooms. All linen and towels are provided. There is a log fire and BBQ. Internet, email and Sky TV provided. Tramping gear hire, locker and car storage are available. Plus there are two self-contained two bedroom cottages, each sleeping up to eight. (I have some promotional cards in-store if you would like to pick one up.)
So I am throwing the idea out there. Anyone, potential student or tutor, who likes the idea, can forward their details to me and I will liaise with possible tutors and the venue, to see if something can be arranged. (I’ve already got one expression of interest from an exerienced tutor!)
With the beautiful backdrop of the snow-covered mountains and lake, it’s a location filled with inspiration.
Thank you for Shopping with Impressions
You are probably aware that Impressions is now the only surviving supplier of fine art materials in the top of the South Island. Unlike stationery and craft stores where you will find a limited range of materials available, you can be assured that when you shop with us, that the materials are reliable (we will cheerfully refund or replace any product which does not perform as it should). But even more importantly, our staff can give informed advice (often from personal experience) on how products can be used.
We greatly value your custom and are very aware, that without your support, we too would have to close our doors. That is something we would hate to do as we enjoy this area of work immensely. So we aim to continue to support you with discounts, tutorials and other benefits through our Impressions Art Club, by providing the best products and information that we can, to offer training sessions to groups (such as the Mapua Painting Group who I will be visiting on the 30th to provide a workshop on Acrylic Painting Mediums), and through sponsorship including the annual Arts Council Nelson, Impressions Regional Art Awards.
Our aim was always to be the leading supplier of fine art supplies in the Top of the South Island and we were pleased to find that we had achieved that goal. As we continue along the road of development we have pursued over the last few years, we now strive to be the only fine art suppliers you need in the top of the South Island. We simply want Impressions to be the best it can be so that you can get on with being the best artist you can be.
We understand the importance of convenience of having a local store, but we regularly fill orders taken by email, phone or fax, and we are happy to send orders out by courier to our more distant customers. Payments can be accepted by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), cheque or internet transfers.We will not always have the product you want, just when you want it – because that is an impossible goal for a small business, with such a diverse array of customer requirements. However, if we don’t have what you want, do ask and we’ll do our best to get it for you.
I was delighted and flattered by a comment that a customer wished we had a branch in Sydney, because Impressions was a superior shop to any there. We appreciate feedback about the business – and really enjoy positive thoughts!
So, thanks once again. It’s always our pleasure to meet with you and to feel that we are indirectly contributing to the success of your art practise.
Have a good month!
Glenys & the Team.