Probably my favorite brand is Liquitex and I like the heavy body best. For the more fluid paint, I like Golden. I'm willing to try any paint though--for example, Blick has a good line of reasonably priced paints. And sometimes there's a pre-mixed color that I love in a particular brand. I think, for me the experimenting comes in when I don't like the color that comes directly out of the tube--then I need to find a way to mix it until I do like it. I'm not always successful but then I use that paint in a background or something. Hope that makes sense. I do appreciate your thoughtful comments Doreen--thanks for watching!

Good luck with the orange!! You can do it! Thanks for watching (and calling this fearless!).

I am so glad to hear that you have found some inspiration on my channel. I hope you are spurred on to be creative--just begin in a small way (that's how I trick myself into starting!). Thanks for watching!

I love that idea Jamie!! That would be so fun!

Thanks so much for watching Kathy!

We are always on the same page Maria! Thanks!

That is such a good idea to share with a friend like that!! I agree it is a win-win!

Thanks so much Carrie! I appreciate your feedback. I do try to remember that I can't please everyone but it's good to know that the detailed explanation was helpful to you. Thanks for watching!

Thanks Ann! I definitely will use this art journal as inspiration for further artwork.

I love that idea Kelly and will have to give it a try! I'm glad you found some inspiration in this video--those little 4X4's are fun to make.

Does seem like we all go through those dry spells, doesn't it Lynn? If only we could be our best creative selves all the time, right?! I suppose that is unrealistic....as in life there are creative ups and downs. We just need to encourage each other to keep going!

Thanks for letting me know this video was helpful Lynn! I hope you give it a try.

Awwww, thanks so much Gwynned!

I appreciate that Rachel--thanks!

You are so right Maria--this painting was not my typical style but I do love being able to make art for my family. My daughter loved it.

That's a great idea Lynne! I'm too lazy to tape off the edges but you're right, I really should!

@@pamhemmerling Omg yes u should it’s so clean and the clack gesso I find works wayyynbetter than any paint of any kind🌻

@@pamhemmerling hi there I think you should especially since your doing u tube videos?? It’s so simple and those small are nothing. And black gesso works the best over anything I have tried and I have tried a lot. I think you should try it.🌻

@@lynnesachs2330 Thanks for that tip!

@@lynnesachs2330 Definitely will give it a try--thanks!

Thanks Catherine! I know most people love brighter colors.

Thanks so much for watching!

Thanks so much for watching Lynne! I am glad you found the video helpful.

Thanks so much Jill! I'm glad to hear you keep several art journals going at the same time too. And I agree--keeps things interesting!

Oh Gisele, that means so much! Thanks for sharing. My goal in making these videos is to encourage others to be creative--whatever form that takes so I'm glad to hear you have been inspired.

@@pamhemmerling Pam, I actually did 54 Littles (4x4) like you did in one of your videos I really had fun doing them. now I’m not sure what to do with them or how to hang them, but I love them all.🌸

@@karmengia72 Oh my gosh that is amazing Gisele! I agree it is hard to figure out what to do with all the art we make. I have several groupings of my 4X4's hanging in my house--sets of 9 and 12. I have also given a set to a friend for her birthday. None of my littles have sold online or at the last Art Walk I did so the majority are stacked in a box. I have hung mine several ways--with simple thumbtacks, mounting putty, and small command strips.

@@pamhemmerling thank you for your insight on how to hang them. How do you keep them from sticking together in the storage box? I put wax paper in between them, but they still kind of stick a little. I’m guessing there’s no way to send you a picture. Thanks again for all your inspiration. I’ll keep watching your videos and keep painting. I was looking forward to your next video thank you -Gisele

@@karmengia72 Hi Gisele, The reason mine are not sticking together in the storage box is that I did not put a coat of matte medium on top. It is not a good idea to do that because now they are not sealed and could easily tear or scrape (and a few have). I thought I might eventually apply cold wax or even encaustic as a sealant but I have not done that. I think using wax paper is the best idea.

You are so kind! Thanks so much! I appreciate your enthusiasm and am glad the videos have been helpful.

This makes me so happy that you knew what those cards were!! Thanks for letting me know.

Oh Linda, I can relate--sometimes it isn't about too much but about the chaos of the stuff! Hope you've got things organized now!

What a great idea Pauline!! I may have to give that a try--thanks for sharing!

I agree that I do have a tendency to chit chat. My suggestion would be to increase the playback speed or skip forward to the actual art process if you watch any of my other videos.

Oh Doreen, it is good to know that I am not alone! How does all this stuff accumulate?! Even now I am struggling to let go of random paper that I have not used in 5+ years. The "what if" is real. On another note I have been thinking of doing an updated studio tour as the last one I did was in June 2023 so thanks for that suggestion.

I hope you give it a try--glad you found this tip helpful! Thanks for watching.

Maria, you are definitely my ephemera kindred----holding on and saving and not using. What is wrong with us?! I also have fabric that I occasionally reach for and currently, the large bin is overflowing, like the lid won't close. I guess that is my next organizational project!

I'm glad to know that it is not just me!! We creatives tend to be collectors and gatherers and borderline hoarders!! Good luck with the organizing!

Hi Kathleen, I have the link for similar deli paper above in the description under "Links to Products". I think most deli paper is of similar weight but if you want something thinner I would suggest tissue paper.

Sometimes you need to keep it quick and simple Gwynned--glad you found this helpful!

Thanks for watching and letting me know Patricia!

Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching!

I totally get that. Here's my suggestion--increase the playback speed and mute the volume. I do that all the time when I quickly want to watch a video without all the chit chat.

Oh, I like that idea of making stationary with the scraps--thanks for tip!

Thanks Doreen! I think the more you sketch, draw, paint a face (or anything for that matter) the easier it gets. You should see some of my earlier attempts I agonized over every mark. I think that is why I prefer to work over the top of collage and texture--there is no way a face can turn out perfectly which is how I like it!

A grouping of these small canvases is so fun to make--I do hope you give it a try Lynn. Thanks for watching!

Thanks LouLou! Sometimes you need a quick dose of creativity before you move on to something else and it's not about the results but the process.

Yes and yes Maria! I know not everyone is into portraits so anything you want to quickly sketch would be fair game. It's all about taking 5 minutes for your creativity whatever that looks like.

Wow, I'm not even sure how to respond to all your kindness Jamie. You definitely made my day!! Thanks for that huge dose of encouragement--it means more than you know.

Thanks Cindy! I really like to experiment and see what happens. Let me know if you try something similar with purple.

Thanks Mike for that enthusiastic comment! I appreciate you watching!