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Here it is- my annual holiday list of art stuff. Enjoy!

Centurion Oil Primed Linen Panels:  These are my favorite painting panels for plein air but they are great for the studio too.  Centurion Canvas Oil Primed Linen Panels are lightweight with the slightly textured surface that your paints will glide across.  Like all oil primed linen, you can easily wipe back to the canvas while the paint is wet.  They come in a wide variety of sizes and the cost is very reasonable.  I like to stock up on them when they go on sale.

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/centurion-deluxe-oil-primed-linen-panels

Sunny Day Farm(sold) was painted on a Centurion Canvas Oil Primed Linen Panel.

RCA Universal Video Tripod AC-O35: I have been through a lot of tripods in my painting career.  They wobble or are too big to carry around and a couple of them have worn out after one year of use.  This summer I found the perfect tripod for my plein air box.  It is light-weight (2.8 lbs.) and incredibly sturdy.  It extends to a full 56” in height but folds down to 22” so it fits easily into my carry on.  The head which attaches to the square quick release plate on my box fits so securely that there is no wobble, even when the box is loaded with painting supplies.  Where did I find this wonderful tripod?  I found it at the local flea market for $10.00.  Why am I listing it here?  Because this tripod is still available around the internet.  I have seen it on eBay, craigslist, and other online stores.  The price is usually around $10.00.  If you are interested I would do a Google search to see if one is available.  I listed a link for an online offering below.

http://www.gulamshop.xyz/tripods-monopods-c-587_1222_1427/rca-universal-video-tripod-ac035-range-235034-56034-super-lightweight-p-10280.htm

My tripod in action in Florence, Italy.

Mighty Mite Jr. Brush Washer: For the past couple of years I have been using my Mighty Mite Jr. brush washer to hold solvent when I go plein air painting. It holds 4 oz of liquid and is a lightweight, shatter and leak-proof, chemical-resistant plastic jar.  The removable stainless steel insert works well to clean off brushes and allows pigment to settle to the bottom.  I find it holds enough for two painting sessions and afterwards I can easily clean it with paper towel.  The Mighty Mite Jr. fits perfectly into my Guerilla 9x12 laptop painting box.

https://www.judsonsart.com/collections/oil-accessories/products/guerrilla-painter-mighty-mite-brush-washer

UArt Boards: UArt 400 grit is my paper of choice for pastels and Dakota Pastels offers UArt paper mounted on archival boards.   They are great for plein air - no need to tape your paper and framing is a breeze.  I like to use the larger sizes for studio work, because the framing is easier and I do not have to worry about the paper buckling in humid weather.  They are sold on other online stores but are much cheaper through Dakota.  If you purchase 10 or more of any size you will receive a sizable discount.  Go in with a buddy to order $200.00 worth and receive free shipping.

http://dakotapastels.com/pages/paper-uart-board.html  

I used a UArt bord to paint a storm rising over the mountains in Fiesole

A Mine of Beauty (a book about William Trost Richards):  Many of you were impressed with the work of William Trost Richards who I blogged about a few weeks ago.  There is a wonderful book that features all of the “coupon” paintings that he sent to his patron.  The images are beautifully printed and the book is a source of inspiration for landscape painters no matter what medium you work in.

https://www.amazon.com/Mine-Beauty-Landscapes-William-Richards/dp/1555953824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512330177&sr=8-1&keywords=william+trost+richards

Gamblin’s Gamvar Satin Varnish:  I used to find the task of varnishing oil paintings daunting.  First you had to wait at least 4 months to apply the varnish, second it was difficult to get an even coat, and then the smell would drive me out of my studio.  This year I discovered Gamvar, which is a varnish that you can apply when the oil painting is dry to the touch.  It is easy to apply with a brush, quick to dry, and low in odor.  I used it on several of my paintings, including the commission of Judge Peter Maceroni and it really makes the colors glow. 

  http://www.jerrysartarama.com/gamblin-gamvar-satin-varnish

Podcast - The Sculptors’ Funeral: When we were in Florence a morning was spent touring artists’ studios.  Our last stop was the studio of the sculptor Jason Arkles.   His work was stunning and he gave the group an informative and entertaining talk about his process.  It turns out he has a podcast called the Sculptor’s Funeral, which is a fascinating look at all things sculpture.   It is a mix of art and history and a great listen while you work in the studio.

http://www.thesculptorsfuneral.com/

Terry Ludwig pastel sets: I have sets of my Terry Ludgwig pastels available.  I am finishing up this portrait of my daughter using both the Portrait and Still Life sets. They would be a perfect gift for yourself or that special pastel artist in your life.  You can purchase them from my website by clicking here.

I began this portrait at a workshop last year and have dragged it from workshop to workshop as an example of color, portrait and interpretation.  I am spending the last month of the year finishing up paintings.

Portrait set on left, Still life set on the right.

Happy painting!