Spring at Impressions

Impressions August Newsletter

Hello Everybody

With August here, we really start to appreciate that we are on the downhill side of yet another year. I guess it’s just a sign of my age that I notice each year passing by more quickly that the past! July has been a very busy month in-store, particularly thanks to the Tasman Visual Arts Group (TVAG).

Eileen Kortooms prepares to demonstrate her approach to painting in watercolours

Throughout the month, a selection of members’ artwork was displayed in our windows, and each Wednesday one member painted in-store during the morning. As shown above, the demonstrations caused considerable interest – sometimes it was standing room only. If you think you might be interested in joining the TVAG, just collect a brochure from us – there is an application for Membership Form enclosed.

Hint

Whites Explained.

We are often asked what is the difference between the white oil paints, so the following notes may help explain the three most commonly chosen ones for you.

White is the mainstay of colours on an artist’s palette. Roughly half to three quarters of the paint on the majority of oil paintings is white so it is the white oil colour that holds most paintings together. Artists often put their money into colours and then try to economize by buying cheaper grades of white. While they may think that this does not affect their paintings, it does. If the white oil paint is inferior so is the entire paint film.

Titanium White: This is a highly opaque bright white, with good covering power for strong highlights. It can also be used for mixing and is a good all-purpose white. It is a strong colour that holds its own in a mixture. You will use more of this than any other colours of oil paint, so for economy, purchase it in a large size.When selecting white oil colours, consider the "reducing power" of the white. The more opaque the white, the higher its tinting strength and the more it will "reduce" the colour. The higher the reducing power, the lighter the value of the colour/white mixture (tint). Titanium White has the highest "reducing power." It makes the brightest, most opaque tints. The most brilliant of the white pigments, Titanium White is non-toxic and less prone to yellowing than Flake White.

Zinc White: Zinc white is less opaque and is useful in the later stages of a painting for subtle highlighting, glazing and blending with other colours to create pale tints.Not usually used in mixing.

Flake White:The Old Masters White is based on lead pigment, and is suitable for all stages of oil painting. It’s a high performance milky white, noted for its opacity and durable paint film. When mixed with other colours it creates pure clean tints with minimal loss of tonal value. Because of its lead content, it is classified as toxic.

Regional Art Awards

Opening Night of 2006 Awards at Gallery 203.

This must be my last reminder about the Regional Art Awards as the final receiving day is 3^rdSeptember. Entry forms showing the conditions of entry are available in-store. This is not a competition for just the top artists of the region, although, of course we want them to enter. This award is intended to be all-inclusive – to provide all artists with an opportunity to be measured against the best, and if selected, to be exhibited alongside all the other works. We are keen for the event to show the depth and diversity of artistic talent in our region. Last year was a great start – but let’s build on that and make this even better. This year there are more sections, more prizes and more space for the exhibition. We hope to see you and your paintings there on Opening Night!

Two Weeks of Specials

To tempt you to seriously consider creating an artwork for the Regional Art Awards, we are offering the following 20% off Specials for two weeks until Saturday 11^thAugust: -

Save 20% on All Sennelier Pastels and Fixatives
Save 20% on All Museum Stretched Canvas in stock
Save 20% on All Matisse Acrylic Paints and Mediums
Save 20% on All Saunders Waterford Watercolour Paper Sheets
Save 20% on All Daler Rowney Watercolour Paints
Save 20% on All Daler Rowney Oil Paints

New Product

Cretacolor Graphite Powder 150 g Price $25.95

Powdered graphite can be applied to a drawing with a brush. After you learn how to use it, you can create beautiful watercolour like "wash" effects and use it to draw realistic textures. Applied with a brush, cloth or fingers, it is particularly useful for covering large areas. It can be put on to paper, canvas, wood, plaster or any absorbent surface to create a metallic finish. Use a soft pencil e.g. 6B to draw outlines and details.

Gradation Using Graphite Powder

Graphite powder can be used dry direct from the jar, or in combination with water or a binder for more unusual effects.

Exhibitions

“Unleashed” – Creative Art, Design Expo and Sales, Richmond Town Hall, Sunday 26^thAugust from 10 am – 4 pm. This event is intended to give self-taught, freethinking, creative artists and designers an opportunity to display their hidden talents. Entry is free, but as this is a fundraiser to support the Dyslexia Foundation, donations to the Foundation would be gratefully accepted.

PANZ Pastel Artists of New Zealand – Nelson Area – invite you to their first group exhibition at the Refinery Art Space, in Halifax St, Nelson from 4^thto 31^stAugust. Paintings from both established and emerging artists will be on offer, covering a wide range of styles and subjects. The gallery is open 10.00 am – 3 pm Saturdays and from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm weekdays.

Looking Ahead

Our building alterations are still in slow-mode – we’ve had to learn to be patient when each contractor finishes their part, while we wait for the next one to come and do their part. We try to remain optimistic that by October we should see some real changes.

Talking of changes, Marlyn has decided it is time for her to move on and is preparing to move to Melbourne and to find some new directions in her life. We will miss her sorely; her innate sense of colour in particular has been invaluable to many customers looking for help selecting colours in their framing. We wish her lots of luck and lots of joy in the years ahead.

Nathan is due to return to the fold this month too. He has been enjoying his time in the USA looking after lots of young people at a summer camp in Pennsylvania. Charlotte returned from her two-week holiday last month in Fiji feeling refreshed after soaking in the stress-free beach lifestyle.

We have changed our late night (Thursday) closing time to 7 pm. Previously we have stayed open until 8 pm, but it is clear that customers prefer to shop earlier in the evening.

As I write this, I am looking forward to talking to the Embroiders Guild at the beginning of the month. Remember, if your group would like the services of a guest speaker, just contact me and I can plan something appropriate.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make July another successful month for Impressions. We look forward to serving you in the month ahead.

Glenys and the Team at Impressions