[Artemisia] Arts and Science Questions

[L.J. Richards]

Caryn, you are so right about the paints - especially watercolor paints. 
They start with "student" quality which is the cheapest.  They do not have 
the longevity, durability, or that "luminous" quality you want.  Buy the 
best paints (watercolor, oil or acrylic) that you can afford, even if you 
are just starting.  The cheap watercolor paints are chalky, more difficult 
to work with, and look flat.

And slightly off-subject -- please, don't frame your scrolls directly to the 
glass!  They will stick over time and adhere themselves in varying degrees 
to the glass.  Then, if it's really valuable and important to you, I can 
find you a paintings and/or paper conservator that will gladly fix it for 
you for only $75-$150 / hour (or more).  I won't list all they do, takes too 
much time, but trust me they are earning every penny of your money (it takes 
a lot of time to free it and 'fix' it).  It's just you don't have to spend 
that if you mat (sometimes you need to double or triple mat) your scroll so 
that none of it touches the glass.  (And for those really wonderful scrolls 
use acid-free/lignen-free matboard.)  (If that's too expensive there are 
other ways but that's another time and place.)

YIS,
Bronwen of Irenwold
(who in her other life is a curator)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elaine" <carynvnk at comcast.net>
****. It's
> really sad to have poured a lot of work and love into something that will
> fall apart in a short time because it's made of flimsy materials, or to be
> given something and not have it last. For instance, the scroll made on
> high-acid paper with non-lightfast inks and paints. I've made test pieces
> with cheap art materials and had the colors fade in three months. The
> materials should be worthy of the work.
>
> Also, quality materials and tools are often easier to work with, leading 
> to
> greater satisfaction for the creator. If you don't believe me, try cutting
> with dull scissors and then with sharp ones. For instance, cheap paints
> often contain less pigment (the colored material,) in the same quantity of
> binder as better ones. This means the paint will not cover as thoroughly 
> and
> perhaps need multiple coats of paint to give the desired coverage or
> opacity. More layers of paint means more room for accident or error, as 
> well
> as more time required in the process.
>
> "Quality materials" does not mean the same as "medieval materials."
> Hand-woven woollen fabric is medieval. It can also be of good or poor
> quality, depending on the strength of the threads, tightness and evenness 
> of
> weave, etc.
>
> ****> Eagerly awaiting the rest of the discussion
> Caryn
>