Square paper is great for a round mandala
I teach a personal growth workshop entitled, Mandala:: An Artful Meditation, where I share my process for mandala creation. Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “whole” but my personal interpretation of the word is as a round design consisting of repeated concentric patterns that radiate from the center outward. I have many examples which can be found here. In the workshop, we create using simple art supplies such as crayons, markers & colored pencils and my favorite paper to use in the class are the square watercolor pads from Clairefontaine. They are a 300g cold pressed paper with a slight texture that works well with dry as well as wet media. Round mandalas just seem to fit so well into the square format.
Artists- ever try Clairefontaine Fine Art Papers?
If you are following this blog, chances are that you are aware of how glorious Clairefontaine/Rhodia paper is for writing. But were you aware that Clairefontaine also makes many different simply AMAZING art papers as well? Watercolor papers, sketch pads, pastel papers, paper for use with acrylic paint – all made by Clairefontaine. Check out pages 47-48 of the online catalog then check here for links to retailers who carry these fine art products.
Be artfully amazing!
Isometric Graph Paper
Recently, Janine from California wrote to us looking for notepads filled with “isometric” graph paper. As that was a new one for me, I went to Wikipedia and found the following definition:
Isometric graph paper or 3D graph paper — This type is a triangular graph paper which uses a series of three guidelines forming a 60° grid of small triangles. The triangles are arranged in groups of six to make hexagons. The name suggests the use for isometric views or pseudo-three dimensional views. Among other functions, they can be used in the design of triangle point embroidery.
The following video seems to really drive home the way in which this paper could be used, and I am SURE this is just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone else out there using or looking for this kind of paper?
Artist Inspiration: Ann Rinkenberger from Harvest Moon by Hand
Artist Ann Rinkenberger from the blog Harvest Moon by Hand is our inspiration for today. After many years in the non-profit sector (with the last 8 of that founding/operating/directing a children’s art and farm camp), Ann is now a stay-at-home mom who homeschools her two daughters. She says that this is perhaps the most challenging – and rewarding – position she’s held.
“I feel so fortunate each day that I get to spend teaching and learning with the girls.” Continue Readering »
Artist Inspiration: More of Gentian’s Rhodia Pad Cover Art
Gentian’s art continues to blow me away…. Continue Readering »
Retailer Spotlight: JournalingArts
JournalingArts is a small family business literally run from several computers and dozens of cabinets in a two-room office. The online shop offers a wide range of notebooks, pens and office supplies from a variety of makers. Continue Readering »
Artist Inspiration: Jessica Doyle
Visual artist Jessica Doyle’s whimsical imagery inspires me to doodle. Often. Continue Readering »
User Review: Artist Richard McKinley on Pastelmat
Pastel field sketch painted on Pastelmat paper.
Image courtesy of Richard McKinley, article excerpt from Pastel Pointers Blog
One of Clairefontaine’s newest fine-art products is Pastelmat, which is a premium card surface (360gsm / 170lb) specially developed for pastelists. Its unique velvety surface, made from a fine coating of cellulose fibers, has the ability to grab and hold multiple layers of even the softest pastels.
“As pastel was placed to the surface, it was like magic. It grabbed the pastel, retaining a heavy bold indication of the stroke. Multiple applications of pastel could be added without any indication of the tooth being compromised. Trying to smudge the pastel produced no effect. The marks stayed in place. The feel of the paper was like a cross between velour and fine sandpaper… Pastelmat is surely one I would recommend giving a chance. It has quickly become part of my favorites list.” – Richard McKinley.
PASTELMAT® significantly reduces the need for fixative, which means that colors remain vibrant and fresh once applied. It has the added bonus of being gentle on both fingers and blending tools. It is acid free and lightfast.
PASTELMAT® is ideal for use with all dry media – pastel sticks, PanPastel, pencils and charcoal. It is also water resistant which means that it can be used with wet media – such as acrylics and watercolor for washes and mixed media techniques.
Visit the Pastelmat website for retail locations.
PASTELMAT® significantly reduces the need for fixative, which means that colors remain vibrant and fresh once applied. It has the added bonus of being gentle on both fingers and blending tools. It is acid free and lightfast.
PASTELMAT® is ideal for use with all dry media – pastel sticks, PanPastel, pencils and charcoal. It is also water resistant which means that it can be used with wet media – such as acrylics and watercolor for washes and mixed media techniques.
* Unique velvety surface with excellent grabbing power
* Holds many layers of pastel
* Reduces the need for fixative
* Gentle on fingers & tools
* Premium card weight (360gsm/170lbs)
* Use with wet and dry media
* Available in 8 colors
And Away We Go! Biffybeans is the new Rhodia Driver
Image courtesy of Eric. See more of his pictures here.
And so here I am, pleased as punch to be driving for the orange team. Ever since I was a child, I loved all things connected to paper- writing, drawing, doodling, and to this day, I can still spend hours in a stationary or art store just breathing in the creative goodness.
Some of you may know me from my blog, Spiritual Evolution of the Bean – a project that I started with the intention of sharing my ever growing collection of product reviews. They were scattered all over Flickr and various other discussion forums, and I thought that a blog would be a good way to put them all into one easily accessible space.
Others may know me from The Fountain Pen Network because I have a special fondness for writing with a fountain pen. Their ease of use, combined with good quality writing paper is a pure writer’s bliss.
For those of you meeting me for the first time I wave a hearty “Hellllloooooo!” and I invite you to take off your shoes and stay a while. In the future, we want you to become as much a part of Rhodia as the products. We invite reader submissions of Rhodia product reviews, as well as photos of how your use your Rhodia and where they take you. We will be inviting you to submit your feedback and also make suggestions on what kinds of Rhodia products you would like to see in the future. Oh, and contests! I can’t forget to mention the contests! We will be giving away all sorts of goodies this year including the New Rhodia Webnotebooks, limited edition Paul Smith notebooks, and the new Rhodia Weekly Planners.
Be sure to stay tuned -
Stephanie
