Kroma Acrylic Paints :: Straight from the Maker
Posted on January 29, 2012
I am primarily an oil painter, but started my journey in acrylics and still use them when working with my kids or on larger canvases for loose abstract work.
With all art supplies I was amazed at the cost but not knowing much about quality. Over time I learned the brands, the quality and pigment types and found that they all generally use all the same pigments and I would think the acrylic resin is not proprietary to any manufacturer.
Why the high costs then? Three things… weight, shipping and markup. Paint is heavy and the heavier an item is usually means a higher shipping costs. The manufacture has to make money so they sell the product to an art store at a price they make a profit at. Then the art store sells the item so they make a profit plus the cost of shipping to receive the item and so the price increases for the consumer. If the product comes from overseas, there is the added cost of duty that gets passed on as well. Oh well, I knew that is just the way it is.
Then I found Kroma Acrylics, located on Granville Island. “Whoa, where did this place come from?” was my first thought. As it turns out, they have been around since 1970 making acrylic paint by hand for the artist community. If you’re interested you can read all about the History of Kroma.
At the time, I frequented Granville Island on a rather regular basis and the next time I was down there I dropped in. The retail space is humble but is packed to the ceiling with shelves of paint. (see above image). Small tubes, medium tubes, large tubes and tubs of paint is every hue I needed. Browsing was a lot of fun. In the back is where all the magic happens with these quality paints.
In my opinion, there are two great things about Kroma. One is that they are the manufacturer of the professional quality paint. They have their markup to stay in business but do not need to ship the paint nor do they sell it to another retailer thus reducing the price point to the consumer – you buy direct from the manufacturer. Second, the paint has great pigment load and is well bodied for painting. The bonus is that, on average, I found you can save between 15% to 30% buying direct (based on professional quality paint) from them over other brands in various art stores. Saving money is great, but to be able to buy more at the price you usually pay is even better!
For reference, this is their Price List (pdf). It lists all their paint in available sizes, the pigments used (always a good thing), info and prices on their mediums and additional information you will need to get in contact with them. Their FAQ page says they do ship and for $10 they can ship fifteen 60ml tubes anywhere is western Canada.
No, I have no affiliation with Kroma and this is in no way meant to be an advertisement for them. Good products deserve recognition. It makes it even better when it is a local BC company.
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Michael King is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and presently holds the membership chair within the FCA and is the president of the Fraser Valley Chapter of the FCA. His work appears in private collections throughout Canada and the United States and he has been fortunate to win awards in a variety of exhibitions and competitions.
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Mineral and Modern Pigments
Posted on January 18, 2012
It's no secret that my favourite oil paint is Gamblin.
They are well priced and are of single pigment origin with a very high pigment strength.
My regular colours are a warm and cool of each primary, one of which is cadmium red. I am now rethinking that after reading a recent article by Scott Gellatly on Gamblin's website.
Napthol Red costs substantially less and as a modern pigment it retains its intensity when tinted, something cadmium red does not do. As of writing this a 40ml tube off Cadmium Red costs $28.40 in a local art store, whereas a 40ml tube of Napthol red costs $11.80.
In any event, take the time to read the article as the comparison between mineral pigment and modern pigments is very interesting.
Mineral and Modern Pigments: Painters' Access to Color
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Michael King is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and presently holds the membership chair within the FCA and is the president of the Fraser Valley Chapter of the FCA. His work appears in private collections throughout Canada and the United States and he has been fortunate to win awards in a variety of exhibitions and competitions.
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Member News :: January 2012
Posted on January 15, 2012
Deborah Strong was juried into the Works on Paper exhibition at the Federation Gallery with her work “Wren and Salmonberry” (above)
Marney-Rose Edge was also juried into Works on Paper exhibition at the Federation Gallery.
Florence L. Nicholson, a member of the Klee Wyck Monday Painters, is showing in “Mixed Messages” at the Hycroft Mansion, University Women’s Club, until Jan 31st. Opening Reception: Sunday, Jan. 8th Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm. Regular gallery hours: 9am – 8pm Monday to Thursday, 9am – 4pm Friday and 1pm – 4pm Sunday
Audrey Bakewell & Wendy Schmidt are featured in “In the Wild”, an exhibition at the Newton Cultural Centre from Jan 4th – 31st. Opening Reception: Jan 7th, 1 to 4pm.
Wendy Mould has been invited to become an Honorary Member of the Drawing Society of Canada and is now part of the Gallery of Canadian Drawing Masters. The Drawing Society of Canada is committed to promote the Fine Art of Drawing. www.drawingsociety.com
One Day Marketing Workshop – Sunday, Feb. 19, 10-3pm presented by Visual artist Wendy Mould. Are you looking for help in marketing your art? Cost $40. Max. 8 people. For information phone 604-583-4538 or email artbywendy@shaw.ca
Artists in Residence at the Newton Cultural Centre will return Tuesday, February 7. Visual artists Wendy Mould and Becky McMahon look forward to welcoming you back for another season. Time: 10-12pm every Tuesday, Feb 7-April 24th, Free. 13530 72nd Ave. Surrey.
Gabrielle Greig invites everyone to her art show at the Tsawwassen Longhouse Gallery, which runs from February 16th to 26th. Opening reception is on Sunday, February 19th from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.
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The “So What’ Principle
Posted on January 10, 2012
The “So What’ Principle: For Those Who Just Have to Be Hard on Themselves
By Christine Camilleri, PAC
I critique my work all the time. In fact, I think it’s what I do best. I like to pick apart my thumbnail, vilify my values, desecrate my drawings and be spitefully scornful of a final painting. Yes, I can be hard on my paintings but it’s a tough love message.
There is one overriding thought in my head as I look at my efforts no matter what stage I’m at: “So what?” That phrase is not dismissive but is my best critique technique. I used to get to the end of a painting, think it was good and then I would hear that voice in my head, “So what?” It has become so useful to me I have now trained myself to hear it at the start of my creative process; ie sometimes even before I get a thumbnail going.
“So what?” is my way of asking, “Is this a trite composition or really exciting?”, “Has this [insert here the words subject, theme, colour scheme, composition] been done before in a very similar fashion by others or is this truly clever?” “Am I just in love with being able to paint this for the first time and I’m just astounded that it’s working out but overall, it’s not a very compelling painting?” “Is this painting even interesting?” “Is it a unique representation of what I feel or see inside?” If the voice is saying as I look at the painting, “So what?” then I know I have missed the mark somewhere.
Perhaps part of the creative process necessitates producing many “So Whats?” before the “Ah Ha!” type paintings start happening more and more often. I have destroyed many “So Whats” and that has been very freeing.
I know that not all of my paintings can be “Ah Ha’s!”; I think I would burn out long before the paint dried or the pastel dust settled. Musical artists know this: when was the last time you listened to the entire CD and each and every track was incredible? At the same time I have morphed a “So What?” painting into an “Ah Ha!” painting with some problem solving, a deep breath and a take-charge-type attitude. You know what I mean, we have all done it.
Critiquing your paintings, (as if from the outside looking in), in whatever language you use can be extremely useful in helping you produce the kind of art you want more often so you’ll potentially end up with more paintings that say “Ah Ha!”
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Christine Camilleri is a signature member with Pastel Artists Canada and has had three pastel paintings accepted in the 20th Annual Open Juried Exhibition of Pastel Artists Canada. Currently her work is represented by Gallery West in Fairhaven, Washington and Soda Creek Gallery in Sisters, Oregon.
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Drawing Society of Canada Honorary Induction
Posted on January 4, 2012
Wendy Mould is very pleased to announce that she has been invited to become an Honorary Member of the Drawing Society of Canada and is now part of the Gallery of Canadian Drawing Masters.
The Drawing Society of Canada is committed to promote the Fine Art of Drawing, to educate people about drawing as an artistic medium that has been appreciated for centuries by collectors and artists and help them understand the beauty, intimacy and artistic value of fine art drawing.
Drawing has been an important part of Wendy’s artistic life and she is thrilled to be recognized by a group of her peers.
To learn more about Drawing Society of Canada see: http://www.drawingsociety.com
To see more of Wendy’s Work visit: www.artbywendy.com or www.artbywendysblog.blogspot.com
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Shadow Box and Tripod :: How To
Posted on January 2, 2012
Carol Marine, an artist I have been following for a long time now, creates dynamic daily paintings and is in involved in numerous projects. She recently posted a "how to" on creating a still life box that in very budget friendly… if you don't need such a fancy tripod that is. 
The tripod, like the one she shows, is just an adjustable surveying tripod that can be found in survey equipment stores in BC. A couple suppliers are Landsurveyors.ca is Richmond and Cansel in Burnaby.
You can read all about it in her Shadow Box and Tripod post.
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