Many posts ago I wrote about my commitment to stick with cheap paint, arguing that not only did it work for me, but I couldn’t justify the cost of expensive paint when I was unable to tell the difference between the two. I reasoned that I would instinctively know when to upgrade paint when the time came. Well, the time has come. Or rather, it came.
As I started to develop my art style I ran into a problem with my paint: it wasn’t opaque enough. I value colors that are rich and solid; colors that I don’t have to go over multiple times. My cheap paint was no longer cutting it. I was ready to try something new, but didn’t want to dive head first into a new set of paint.
I remember an artist who said that when starting out with paint, don’t buy sets. Instead buy only the colors you need because with a set you will end up wasting money on colors you may never use. I thought this was good advice. I knew exactly which brand I wanted to try: the Golden Soflat paint line. I had been eyeing it for months because I liked its opaque colors. I decided to start with two colors I knew I would use regularly: black and white. Long story short I was happy with the performance. The black went down solid. Unlike the cheap black paint I use, the golden so flat black needed only one coat and It left behind no ashy streaks. The white was less impressive, but it wasn’t a waste. While I couldn’t see the difference in its coverage compared to my cheap white paint, it did lay down much smoother than the cheap paint, which I liked. Often I find the cheaper paint dries a little gloopy, especially when I use multiple layers, which makes it harder to cover mistakes cleanly.
Satisfied with these results, I decided to step tentatively into the world of professional paint. My plan was to buy one color a month until I built a collection that works for me. In addition to Golden Soflat I also decided to add acrylic gouache to the mix. After doing some research on opaque paint I was surprised to find that acrylic gouache was often mentioned. I had never heard of it before but I was game to try it.
But paint wasn’t the only thing I wanted to upgrade. I was also ready to move on from my canson mixed media paper. I had grown tired of it warping when painting and wanted something more stable. I chose hot pressed 100% cotton paper as my next paper.
As I started on my newest piece using my new paper and paint I ran into an incredible stroke of luck. A survey company that I am a member of invited me to join an online focus group with a payout of $100. I knew immediately how I would use the money and after receiving it I purchased additional Golden Soflat colors, as well as a few colors of Liquitex Professional Acrylic Gouache. Now I have a nice starter collection of professional paint and I couldn’t be happier.
But paint supplies are not the only upgrades I’ll be making in my painting life. I will also be upgrading my website. I want to make it more gallery focused than blog focused, as I no longer want to blog about every piece I complete. Also, as my work improves I want a place to admire all my best pieces. I’m still not completely comfortable sharing my work on social media, so a gallery on my own website is preferred. As for the blog, I will continue to post but I think 1-2 posts a month is enough. My next post will be of the painting I recently completed with my new art supplies (waiting on some lighting equipment to arrive before posting), but that will likely be my last time blogging about a finished piece unless there is something important to state about it,
Until next time.