Journey Art Supplies Blog

Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.

Artist Tip 26: Making Your Mark

Artist Tip 26: Making Your Mark

CJAS Staff

That personal, calligraphic mark that distinguishes one artist's work from another — seems to be disappearing. From the evidence of current gallery shows and exhibitions, more and more painters are choosing to work in a highly rendered, almost "mechanical" style.

Artist Tip 26: Making Your Mark

CJAS Staff

That personal, calligraphic mark that distinguishes one artist's work from another — seems to be disappearing. From the evidence of current gallery shows and exhibitions, more and more painters are...

Artist Tip 27: Aerial Perspective: When to Use it When to Ignore It

Artist Tip 27: Aerial Perspective: When to Use ...

CJAS Staff

The effects of aerial perspective, simply stated, are that distant objects appear cooler, flatter, grayer, and smoother. It is a visual truth and a conceptual tool that is available to every artist.

Artist Tip 27: Aerial Perspective: When to Use ...

CJAS Staff

The effects of aerial perspective, simply stated, are that distant objects appear cooler, flatter, grayer, and smoother. It is a visual truth and a conceptual tool that is available to...

Artist Tip 28: Painting A Series

Artist Tip 28: Painting A Series

CJAS Staff

“T’aint Whatcha Do; It’s the Way Howcha Do It” is an aphorism from an old jazz tune that applies as well to painting as it does to playing jazz. In short, how you interpret your subject is often more important than the subject itself.

Artist Tip 28: Painting A Series

CJAS Staff

“T’aint Whatcha Do; It’s the Way Howcha Do It” is an aphorism from an old jazz tune that applies as well to painting as it does to playing jazz. In...

Artist Tip 29: Exploring Opaque Watermedia

Artist Tip 29: Exploring Opaque Watermedia

CJAS Staff

Because it is insoluble when dry, acrylic was used as a transparent underpainting to achieve a radiant, rich color. Casein was applied in translucent and opaque layers over the acrylic.

Artist Tip 29: Exploring Opaque Watermedia

CJAS Staff

Because it is insoluble when dry, acrylic was used as a transparent underpainting to achieve a radiant, rich color. Casein was applied in translucent and opaque layers over the acrylic.

Artist Tip 30: Finding A Direction

Artist Tip 30: Finding A Direction

CJAS Staff

An artist does not compose his painting by filling it with things; boats, barns, trees, and mountains. He composes it by designing and arranging on his paper areas of color, value, line, and, most of all, shape.

Artist Tip 30: Finding A Direction

CJAS Staff

An artist does not compose his painting by filling it with things; boats, barns, trees, and mountains. He composes it by designing and arranging on his paper areas of color,...

Artist Tip 1: Understanding How Reflected Light Works

Artist Tip 1: Understanding How Reflected Light...

CJAS Staff

If in order to create three-dimensionality, you paint the shaded side of an object dark, cool, and neutral and you paint the illuminated side light, warm, and bright, you'll produce something that looks fairly round; and that's the effect you want.

Artist Tip 1: Understanding How Reflected Light...

CJAS Staff

If in order to create three-dimensionality, you paint the shaded side of an object dark, cool, and neutral and you paint the illuminated side light, warm, and bright, you'll produce...

I'll Take Mine Glazed

I'll Take Mine Glazed

Mona Lisa

Oh, sure, I love those Krispy Kremes as much as the next person and I take mine glazed, too! (Especially, when the HOT DOUGHNUTS NOW sign is on! Yum Yum!) But, today I’m talking about the painting technique referred to as Glazing.

I'll Take Mine Glazed

Mona Lisa

Oh, sure, I love those Krispy Kremes as much as the next person and I take mine glazed, too! (Especially, when the HOT DOUGHNUTS NOW sign is on! Yum Yum!) But, today...

“I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill”

“I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill”

Mona Lisa

Recently, I was reminded of the Jazz musician, Fats Domino, who wrote the number one hit song, way back in the day, called “Blueberry Hill”. It was a song about finding his “thrill” (love) on top of Blueberry Hill. Well, I actually found my thrill on a “Blueberry Hill”, high up on the northern side of Beech Mountain, fresh summer blueberries!

“I Found My Thrill on Blueberry Hill”

Mona Lisa

Recently, I was reminded of the Jazz musician, Fats Domino, who wrote the number one hit song, way back in the day, called “Blueberry Hill”. It was a song about finding...

Claim Your Art Freedom!

Claim Your Art Freedom!

Mona Lisa

On the Eve of the Day of our Independence, I started thinking about our freedom and how thankful I am to be living in the U.S.A.  Then, I was thinking how sometimes, we, as artists, can often feel chained by our limits in making Art?

Claim Your Art Freedom!

Mona Lisa

On the Eve of the Day of our Independence, I started thinking about our freedom and how thankful I am to be living in the U.S.A.  Then, I was thinking...

Art Whatsits: The Mouth Atomizer

Art Whatsits: The Mouth Atomizer

Mona Lisa

Ever have someone find something in your studio and ask “What is this?” Well, if not yet, and if you paint long enough, you will! Because artists just love their gadgets. Don’t we? I mean, if there is a need or desire to create texture or apply paint, we will find a gadget for just that purpose. 

Art Whatsits: The Mouth Atomizer

Mona Lisa

Ever have someone find something in your studio and ask “What is this?” Well, if not yet, and if you paint long enough, you will! Because artists just love their...

Cheap Joe's Goes Back To School

Cheap Joe's Goes Back To School

Mona Lisa

OK.  What if you woke up tomorrow morning and found you had to go back to school? When you reach a certain age, You shouldn’t have to worry about pop quizzes, last minute cramming for tests, and homework!  Well , what if it was an opportunity to learn something new about  a subject that you love like art? Let me tell you, I am all about learning.

Cheap Joe's Goes Back To School

Mona Lisa

OK.  What if you woke up tomorrow morning and found you had to go back to school? When you reach a certain age, You shouldn’t have to worry about pop...

As Artists, We Simply Must

As Artists, We Simply Must

Mona Lisa

My daily commute, back and forth to Cheap Joe’s, sometimes affords me the opportunity to photograph some very inspiring views along the way. I thought I would share them with you, along with a poem that they inspired. Enjoy!

As Artists, We Simply Must

Mona Lisa

My daily commute, back and forth to Cheap Joe’s, sometimes affords me the opportunity to photograph some very inspiring views along the way. I thought I would share them with...