Art Treehouse Newsletter – October 2018

Newsletter – October 2018

The Art Treehouse Newsletter features artists, techniques, and news largely drawn from the resources of our customers.  We find that artists who write us often have the greatest insights into the various ways materials can be used, as well as the new materials we should be developing.

Thanks to all who have offered helpful suggestions regarding our email newsletter!  This is the first newsletter to be published after our web site upgrade, and it is completely revised for better reading and display. 
Our New Web Site!
After five weeks of work, we are excited to announce our new web site. Our old web site had served us exceptionally well for years, but technology changes and evolves. We needed a web presence that consistently performed great on mobile devices as well as desktops. We also needed a system that talked well with all of our activities, including shipping, mail list management and security. So there you have it! Please check it out and let us know what you think!

Email from a University Art teacher ….

Hello,

I just wanted to let you know how much we love one of your products. I ordered the Biobased Artist Thinner for the Painting class I teach. I always wanted to eliminate oms from the class but wasn’t sure how to do it with indirect oil painting. After a lot of research, I came across your product and decided to give it a try. It’s great! We cut it 50/50 with walnut oil and it makes a great medium to do the first layer of oil painting. Thank you so much for providing a quality product that has increased the health and safety of our studio.

 

Best regards,
Angela B.

Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner

Basic Lessons in Becoming
a Good Painter.
This is the book that would be beneficial for artists who need an accurate foundation in the art of oil painting.  Too often, “How to Paint” books throw in esoteric sections that are often less than relevant, and only serve to confuse the artist.  The sections in this book cover some of the concepts that painters most often miss out on, such as Keeping Your Color Clean, Brushwork Dos and Don’ts, Handling Edges, and so forth.  The materials section is a bit dated, but that is true for all books on painting. 

Drawing the Head

The Artist’s Complete Guide

This book has certainly become a classic for those who wish to learn about the essential principles of drawing and the five basic drawing steps: gesture, proportions, shadow shapes, edge control and detail. Of particular interest is the author’s coverage of the secrets of chiaroscuro.  the book also includes a chapter on working with color.
More Artist Safety Issues
Two items are in the news this month…..
1) It looks like asbestos is back.  On June 10, 2018 the EPA authorized a “Significant New Use Rule” that will allow for commercial use of asbestos when the usage is pre-approved by the EPA.  The possible uses that could be approved include adhesives, sealant tape, millboard, reinforced plastics, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, etc.  Basically, this signals a loosening of restrictions on asbestos usage.

2) The Lancet Journal of Oncology has reported that the Working Group from the International Agency for research on Cancer (IARC) has published their new list of documented carcinogens.  The list includes four acrylates,  all of which are  commonly used in artist materials.  Methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate are all listed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on “sufficient evidence” in animals.  All four are commonly used in acrylic paints.