Using a Khadi Paper sketchbook

The thing with sketchbooks, is you need good paper.  It really does make all the difference to a decent sketch.  So you can image how challenging a Khadi-paper  sketchbook can be.  Not only is the paper roughly textured, but it swallows up watercolour like there is no tomorrow!

However, there is always a Solution 

and for this sketchbook I prepared some pages with gesso.

This will enable me to use acrylics for sketching ideas.

Prep with grey gesso and below

white/burnt sienna mix

As the gesso dries permanent, this makes it an ideal surface for acrylic paints -

of course, you could also prepare the pages with White gesso, I just chose not to.

Not all pages are gessoed though.

I have also painted directly on the white pages with acrylics -

 rough 'blocking in' idea for a future painting.

They remind me where I want to go with a large canvas.

This sketchbook is proving to be worth its weight in gold.

🎨🎨🎨

Acrylic paint - palette clean up

Once Acrylic paint has dried on your palette, it can be very difficult to remove.   That's why I use a PLASTIC disposable plate, with a shiny surface for mixing my acrylics....

~ you see it has a shiny surface ~

Then it ends up looking like this after I've been adding paint...

When you have finished using the paint,

and it has dried on completely,

that's when it is the easiest to remove.

Just

PEEL IT OFF.

 I just use a damp cloth 

to clean up any tiny bits left behind.

Ruined Brushes - Acrylic use

From time to time we all end up with a ruined brush, when the bristles dry solid and won't move. This often occurs when using Acrylic paints as they dry quick or when using masking fluid,
we forget to rinse the brush out properly.

Don't throw the brush away though, it can still have a use.

For example when you want to do some stippling...they are perfect for the job.  Just 'disturb' the bristles a little with your fingers, but don't worry if they won't move greatly, you can still use it.

Perfect for those distant tree lines and hedgerows in a painting.
The ruined brush is now a useful brush,
not only for using with acrylic paint but also for oils and watercolours.