The Finest Quality Handmade Artists’ Brushes
‘‘ It’s not just a brush, it’s an experience. A ritual. It’s life changing and it’s your life.’’
OUR monthly NEWSLETTER filled with INTERVIEWS & TIPS for your ENJOYMENT
www.rosemaryandco.com
Issue 4 February 2015
The NANCY GUZIK LOVE BRUSH List From ROSEMARY & CO SET INCLUDES (ALL LONG HANDLES):
1x 1x 1x 1x 1x
Series Series Series Series Series
279. Long Flats Sizes - 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 Ivory Filberts Sizes - 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 Ivory Long Flats Sizes - 4, 8, 12 Ivory Short Flats Sizes - 1 1/2” (My big brush) 99. Pure Sable Sizes - 00, 0, 1, 2
£136 $171.22 +44 1535 600090
www.rosemaryandco.com
LOVE with all YOUR ART!
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n Finnish, February is called ‘‘Helmikuu’’, meaning “month of the pearl”, when snow melts on tree branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again they are like pearls of ice. This created a beautiful image, and furthermore led me to think of all the wonderful artwork I’ve seen over these winter months through our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. What a truly magical time to paint. This issue includes an interview with British master oil and watercolour artist, David Curtis. David has been using our brushes for many years now, and it is a real honour to interview him. I’d like to thank George Gallo for the write up about the Master from the Past, and to thank all of the other talented artists in this issue. Without you all, it wouldn’t be worth the read! I’ve had hundreds of folks get in touch and request a hardcopy of the newsletter each month. If you’d like one for yourself, or a handful to take to your art group, or to put on your coffee table in your studio, just ask! I’d like to finish by letting you know our newsletters are printed in the neighbouring village, by a local Yorkshire company who use sustainable paper. Enjoy this issue.
{CONTENTS} 04
LETTER of the MONTH
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FRIENDS of the MONTH
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MASTER of the MONTH
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New BRUSHES from ROSEMARY & CO
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GUEST of the MONTH
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UPCOMING EVENTS in SPRING
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ONES to WATCH on SOCIAL Media
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MASTER from the PAST
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The ART of JUDGEMENT
Front cover image courtesy of David Curtis www.djcurtis.co.uk Rosemary & Co Artists Brushes, PO BOX 372, Keighley, West Yorkshire, England, BD20 6WZ.
Symi Jackson, Sales & Marketing Director symi@rosemaryandco.com
UK: 01535 600090 Int’l: +44 1535 600090
W: www.rosemaryandco.com E: enquiries@rosemaryandco.com
{LETTER of the MONTH} We LOVE to HEAR from YOU Hi Rosemary & Co Thank you for the newsletter. I find it a pleasure to read. In your last issue you mention your brush prices increasing and I feel that as a user of your brushes for many years now, I still think that your prices are second to none. In fact, I paint in oils almost every day and as you know, oil can be harsh on brushes but I am still using brushes that I bought from you over five years ago... and they are still going strong. So thank you for the quality and service you provide. - Mr Tweats Stoke-on-Trent, UK Thank you for getting in touch Mr Tweats, your ÂŁ20 gift voucher is in the post. If you would like to be picked out of the hat for next months gift voucher, please send us your letters.
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{FRIENDS of the MONTH} We TALK to TERRY LUDWIG PASTELS
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ymi had the pleasure of meeting Terry and his team a few years ago in New Mexico and couldn’t help be impressed with how they run their family business. Terry is an instructor and artist himself, who was frustrated with the lack of colour options available and few choices for very soft pastels, so he began experimenting with formulas for making his own pastels back in 1995. His goal was to create a vast array of colour in pastels that were uniformly soft across all densities of hue. Terry began creating his own rectangular shaped pastels to achieve the array of colors he needed, combined with the ability to use the edge of a pastel to create more detailed art. Terry Ludwig Pastels sells to artists all over the world, and we couldn’t be more happy to introduce you to this company.
Terry told us, ‘‘There are a number of ways to use brushes while painting with pastels. One way is to lightly scumble (to blur the outlines) of the pastels for softer edges. Another method is to scumble lightly to start to establish an underpainting’’. He went on to say, ‘‘After the underpainting has been formed, add either water or rubbing alcohol and use as watercolor. It will help to establish your shapes and values. Allow it to dry and continue on’’. We asked Terry about how you could remove pastels that have built up, to which he explained, ‘‘Use a stiff brush to remove the layers. Afterwards, reapply the new pastels you wish to use’’.
POPULAR BRUSHES FOR PASTELS: Series 43. Pure Squirrel ‘Tinter’ For the scumbling effect. Series 306. Fan Blender As the name suggests, is for blending. Series 501 or 502 A stiff nylon for removing layers. Rubber Tip Tool Set Made from silicone. Ideal for applying, removing, scraping and moving colour.
Please take the time to visit Terry’s website: www.terryludwig.com Rosemary & Co
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{MASTER of the MONTH} INTERVIEW with DAVID CURTIS ‘‘Painting Plein Air is a one hit wonder, it’s either going to work or be a disappointment.’’
David has been using Rosemary’s brushes for years. He favours the Ivory Short Flats on long handle for oils and Pure Sable Series 99 in all sizes for watercolours. 06
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avid Curtis is a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He is one of the UK’s most successful and best known artists. PLEIN AIR OR YOUR STUDIO? I’m never more happy than when I’m out painting in the open air, observing that visual moment in time. Studio work for me is where you evolve your Plein Air studies, the stage work if you will, the building up of composition with more consideration in mind. WHAT ARE YOUR 3 ESSENTIALS TO TAKE OUTDOORS? My pochade box, a painting carrier filled with my Rosemary brushes, rags and a stool. When outdoors you need your supplies ready at hand to ensure you seize the moment.
‘‘Plein Air is all about the light effect, the sense of immediacy, the adrenaline rush from being outside.’’
YOUR BOOKS ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR, DO YOU PLAN ON WRITING ANY MORE? I’ve written six ‘‘How to do it’’ books at this point. I’d like to write a coffee table book, for the collector or professional to study my works and give an overview of my career. It would be in sections of different themes; landscapes, beachscapes, interiors, portraits and so on. I’m not saying I’ll never write another ‘‘How to do it’’ though! OILS OR WATERCOLOURS? I have no preference! I will select oil or watercolour as the subject suggests. If it’s atmospheric, high key and moody, I would probably lean towards watercolour. Yet if it is strongly lit with powerful imagery I think I can paint that more effectively with oils. Once you’ve seen the light effect and you’ve chosen a medium, away you go!
Images courtesy of David Curtis. See more of David’s work at: www.djcurtis.co.uk Or follow him on Facebook: davidcurtisartist
WHAT ARE FOUR COLOURS YOU WOULDN’T BE WITHOUT? Raw Sienna, Cobalt, Violet and Cerulean. ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO A NEW ARTIST? Practice, practice, practice wherever you are. Just draw, sketch and learn your craft. Rosemary & Co
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{The ERADICATOR brush} THE unintended BRUSH MARK By Joyce Yamada, USA
A long sought solution to those unintended watercolour brush marks resulting from too much enthusiasm, haste or miscalculation. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:
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Use the brush when barely damp, not wet.
Hold in a nearly vertical orientation and drag gently, but firmly back and forth along its’ long edge. (See photo)
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Upon first noting the removal of paint, immediately dab the brush several times on a towel (paper, etc) and recommence “erasing”.
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Rinse after 2 - 3 “erasures”, dab to remove excess wetness and continue. Rosemary & Co
CAUTION: Too damp a brush and/or too vigorous “erasing” may damage the painting/paper. For smaller areas, use the edge of the brush in a similar manner. For many smaller areas (“erase” and/or highlights), try using Rosemary’s Shiraz Short Flat, sizes 1 and/or 2.
The Eradicator brush evolved from trials between Joyce and Rosemary. A useful addition to the watercolourists collection and at just £9.50/$11.96 an affordable one at that.
{The 24 INCH handle} The IMPORTANCE of PERSPECTION Alexey Steele is an American painter of the Russian Representational School and a Soviet Art scholar. Image courtesy of Alexey, in loving memory of his late father, Leonid. M Steele 1921 - 2014.
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osemary spent two years developing the 24 inch handles. She worked closely with Russian Master, Alexey Steele, who helped test the weights of the handles, lengths and balance to ensure they were perfect. The longer length is ideal for those wanting to stand back from the canvas to paint. Typically used for the initial drawing and outline, the longer handle allows for perspection away from the canvas. These brushes are ideal for oil and acrylic artists. Visit our website for more information. Rosemary & Co
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{GUEST of the MONTH} STROHSCHEIN says LETS PAINT!
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andra Strohschein is an award winning artist in both watercolour and photography who resides in Michigan, USA. Sandra’s travelled the world studying and teaching watercolour for the past five years. She told Symi, ‘‘I am so happy that I was introduced to Rosemary’s handmade brushes, happy enough to put my name on them and endorse them to my fellow artists world wide!’’ Fig. 1. Everything I need is right here, my Rosemary & Co Brush Set. A Mop, an Angular Liner, a Kolinsky Extended Point, a Pointed Pure Sable and a Pure Squirrel. Fig. 2. I begin with the size 6 Squirrel mop, laying down all the large washes of colour building the foundation. The mop carries a great deal of pigment and water, so I can paint quickly without having to return to the water source constantly! Rinsing and shaking out the brush means I can come back in quickly and soften edges. Fig. 3. With the mop I lay in the basic large shapes and local colour. With practice you can get those values during this initial stage. Remember the more pigment means intense values! More water means light values! 10
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‘‘If I could have two brushes, these would be the first ones. The Squirrel Mop and the Kolinsky Sable Extended Point.’’ Fig. 4. With the bead of paint that has puddled, I begin to drag shadow shapes onto the composition. My paper is dry at the start so I have a great deal of control as to where my paint runs. This is done with the Extended Pointed Kolinsky. A thick brush at the ferrule, tapered to a magnificent point. Fig. 5. I also love the 1/2 inch angled shader. I use it for two things; softening hard edges and lifting colour. Here I am doing a little repair work. I believe that watercolour can be corrected and the angled shader has saved many paintings! Fig. 6. Using the Extended Point, again I begin to lay in tree shapes and detail in
the foreground. This brush is wonderful because I can switch quickly from thick to thin. It carries a great deal of pigment and water. I dance with this brush across the paper. Fig. 7. This is a 9 Pointed Squirrel Round. It is great for splattering, something that we watercolourists love to do. It holds a great deal of water and pigment. Fig. 8. The finished piece. Images courtesy of Sandra Strohschein. You can find Sandra’s Field Set on our website, just search Sandra Strohschein. See more of Sandra’s work at: www.sandralstrohscheinfineart.com Rosemary & Co
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UPCOMING EVENTS in SPRING MARCH 2-6TH Artists Guild Week, Scottsdale Artists’ School. Arizona. Symi joins Master Artists David A. Leffel, Sherrie McGraw, Jaqueline Kamin, Gregg Kreutz and Rose Frantzen for the week. It’s always such a pleasure to join the Guild which boasts some of the finest artists' in America as instructors. For more information visit: www.brightlightfineart.com MARCH 12-15TH 2nd Annual Plein Air Festival, Lighthouse ArtCentre, Tequesta, Florida. This juried invitational event is a premiere gathering, the largest of its kind in South Florida. The Festival offers $10,000 in prizes. Symi will bring lots of brushes to the event, whilst also holding demonstrations on how the brushes are made. For more information visit: www.lighthousearts.org/plein-air-festival.html APRIL 13-17TH APRIL Plein Air Magazine’s 4th Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo, Monterey, CA. Rosemary & Co are proud Gold sponsors of this event. Rosemary and Symi will join hundreds of artists with 60 plus instructors giving demonstrations on stage and in the field.With four Stages theres plenty to see and do.Program tracks focus around three of painting’s most popular media - oil, water and pastel. You’ll work and play with your favorite painters while attending lectures and demos, and this year, you’ll have more opportunities than ever to paint with them, as they have scheduled ample time each day to paint Montereys extraordinary scenery. For more information visit: www.pleinairconvention.com APRIL 30TH - 3RD MAY The Art of the Portrait Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. Artists from all over the world are gathering in Atlanta for a weekend of unforgettable moments for the 17th Annual Conference. With over thirty artists demonstrating, discussing techniques and methods, you can network with fellow artists from all over the world or have an individual artist-to-artist portfolio critique. Rosemary & Co are proud Bronze sponsors of the PSOA. For more information visit: www.portraitsociety.org
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{ARTISTS around the WORLD} ONES to WATCH on SOCIAL MEDIA
STEVEN DA LUZ
RICHARD BRADLEY
BRANDON DOUGLAS
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teven DaLuz’s work conjures up a sense of mystery and ethereal light, whether figurative or not. He employs a process he devised using metal leaf, oil, and mixed media. Steven DaLuz
ichard is a well known Gamer, blogger, English Professor and Commission Painter. He frequently writes blog posts for gamers, sharing tips about his brushes and the tools he uses.
randon Douglas is a Knoxville, Tennessee based realist painter. He employes timeless techniques of alla prima and indirect oil painting in his portrait, figure, and still life paintings.
@wrkbnchwarriors
brandonsdouglas
KEEP in TOUCH by FOLLOWING us ON... FACEBOOK: Rosemary & Co Artists Brushes
TWITTER: Rosemary&Co @rosemaryandco
INSTAGRAM: Rosemary Brushes
LINKEDIN: Rosemary & Co Artists Brushes
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{MASTER from the PAST} EDWARD REDFIELD By George Gallo
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dward Redfield (1869-1965) was born in Bridgeville, Delaware. After studying painting in Paris, he returned to the States and eventually settled in Center Bridge, Pennsylvania. There he began to produce very large dynamic winter scenes, all painted outdoors and in “one go,” no matter what the size. Whereas many of the European Impressionists seemed to portray light and life in a more romantic way, Redfield addressed his subjects using a very matter of fact approach. In many ways he pushed the bar forward, anticipating such modern art movements as abstract expressionism. Paintings such as “Winter Wonderland” have a surface of energized paint and are quasi-abstract in their execution.
His paintings of Bucks County drew other artists to the area such as Daniel Garber, John Folinsbee and Walter Elmer Schofield. 14
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Along with many other painters, these artists would eventually become known as the Pennsylvania Impressionists. Although Redfield never considered himself a part of any one artistic movement, he became known as the father of this group. He continued painting outdoors well into his 80s, creating the amazing and heroic canvases he is known for.
Images courtesy of: www.palmbeachdailynews.com
{The ART of JUDGEMENT} Scientific research shows, there are several primary mechanisms for muscle growth, including cell swelling, mechanical tension, and metabolic stress. In concept, when muscle cells sense stress, tension or trauma they must fight or die. As a result, cells restructure themselves to get bigger, stronger. We humans - a giant group of muscle cells, are often given the most precious opportunity to change, to grow and to thrive when pushed to the brink of breaking point. Consciously, I bring myself to that point frequently during my creative process. My artistic muscles get pumped each time a disruption takes place, and an invisible boundary is broken. This is the art of muscle building. In “Love - Fragmented Traditions�, my One Man Exhibition in NYC back in January 2015 allowed judgement to be destroyed and balance reconstructed. What emerges is the intent of revealing the truth of who we are in various forms and layers on canvas. - Vincent Xeus www.VincentXeus.com
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Love with all your Art
Paint the town red this Valentine’s Day!