http://www.education.com/slideshow/second-grade-green-toys-2012/art-journal-kit/

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Vickie Porter
Close-up of "Free Movement"
Rochester, NY
USA




Anne Prunet
"French Garden"
Cherbourg, Normandy
France





Carolyn Coyle
"the earth awakens"
Apex, NC
USA





Christina Leinemann Knittel
"Figure Eights"
Kelowna, BC
Canada





Jude Assalyn
"Spirit Unravelling"
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

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Take a look at some of the fantastic artwork created by students enrolled in our 2012 Online Workshops! These pieces were inspired by our first Workshop Video entitled “Doodles Unleashed”, by Traci Bautista. The Workshop Series started January 1, 2012. If you haven’t registered yet, no need to worry! You can register now and get immediate access to the first 2 weeks of Traci’s Workshop. These are free, self-paced, and will continue through August 1, 2012. For more info: http://www.strathmoreartist.com/workshop-reg.html


By: Brigitte van Tienhoven
Netherlands




By: Cheryl Razmus
"To the Max"
Crown Point, Indiana




By: Hermine Koster
"Spring"
Oisterwijk, Netherlands




By: Kimberly Kelly Santini
"Blooms I"
Lake Orion, Michigan




By: Melva Bates
"Flowering Freely"
Alicante, Spain




By: Marnie Blum
"Primordial"
Wake Forest, North Carolina

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The terms "rag" and "cotton" are often used interchangeably. However, rag specifically refers to papers made with cotton textile remnants. At one time, it was common for papers to consist of 100% cotton rag. However, over time, rag supply for use in papermaking became tighter as the use of synthetic fibers in textiles became more common. Today, most fine art papers are made from 100% cotton linters or a combination of cotton rag and cotton linters. Rag fibers are longer fibers compared to cotton linters so they do provide extra strength. Cotton linters are pure cellulose fibers that are byproducts of cotton processing. Although the cotton linters' fibers are shorter than textiles, they still offer outstanding strength and archival properties.

Our 500 Series Drawing, Bristol and Illustration Board surfaces are manufactured using a combination of rag and cotton linters. The ratio of approximately 3 parts rag to 1 part linters is the standard composition for these papers. This is the same fiber make-up that has been used since these grades were first manufactured in 1893.

• FAQ

5 Minute Pose
I start off with a small piece of General's Chalk in sienna. I sand the rough edges down so I can use the side of it to mass in the shadow areas. Once I get the big masses in I clean up the light areas with a kneaded eraser, then use a pastel pencil to define a few lines.

5 to 7 Minute Pose
I kept the left side out of focus because that is the shadow side and I don't want to show any details in the area. Sometimes I don't even use a line where the form on the light side of the figure meets the background; I will use it only if it's necessary.

10 Minute Pose
I start off the same with shorter poses, I just study a little more and add in some lines with a pastel pencil.

Shadow Study
I try hard to only see the form in light and dark shapes. I use a strong spot light so the shadows will be strong. I always start the drawings by massing in the darks.

Download the entire article Strathmore Artist Newsletter: Autumn 2011

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Strathmore^®

Strathmore does not own wind turbines. Organizations like us that choose to use clean, renewable energy can do so by purchasing wind power energy in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs). Renewable energy leaders sell wind power into the electricity grid, reducing the amount of power that would otherwise be generated by fossil fuels. The renewable energy credits we purchase are certified through the Green-e^® Marketplace Program administered by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions based in San Francisco, CA.

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	Art by Logan Childress. Mixed Media: Watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils, pen and ink, graphite. Strathmore® 300 Series Mixed Media paper.
	Featured art by Lisa Adams. Mixed Media: Gouache, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, pen and ink, graphite, collage and marker. Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media paper.

Mixed Media is available in a full range of formats and sizes to meet a variety of applications.
Learn about our new Mixed Media pads.

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"I've been working as a freelance illustrator for many years. Throughout the years, Strathmore is the brand I trust for quality and dependability.

I currently work as a comic book artist for a graphic novel at Heroes Fallen Studio.  Strathmore's sequential art boards in 200, 400 and 500 series have held their own over the many pages of my work. However, recently I discovered Strathmore 500 Series Illustration Board for Wet Media while working on my independent commissions and my illustration novel.  This 500 Series board is hands down the best I've ever used. The ink goes on smooth, black as night. Acrylics (watered down or thick) go across easily, displaying magnificent colors. Watercolor never looks so real.

Pigma Micron Pens don't buckle the surface, even after millions of fine strokes. But what tops it off is the color I achieve when using Copic Markers -- smooth vivid tones that look as if I used watercolor and airbrush. It is everything that I've been looking for in one surface. The Illustration Board for Wet Media is the only board I now use for my illustrated novel, commission projects and personal art. I doubt there is any other board out there that can do what this board can do. Just another reason why I will always use Strathmore..."

About Michael R. Fudge, Jr.:

Michael R Fudge, Jr. currently lives in the lost terrain of Kansas. After spending 14 years in the Marines and Army including multiple tours to Iraq, Michael now works as a freelance illustrator for Distorted Black Studio. His media ranges from pen & ink, watercolor, acrylic, marker, pencil and colored pencil. He is currently writing and illustrating a children's book which is to be released next year.

Thanks, Michael! Those of us at Strathmore Artist Papers appreciate your loyalty and kind words about our products!

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Fourteen pages full of projects with easy-to-follow instructions, inspirational ideas and great visuals offer an engaging introduction to drawing, collage and art. Assorted handmade and bright construction papers provide textures and colors, perfect for collage. Each kit also includes a storage folder, and artist quality drawing paper to provide the perfect foundation for creating works of art.

Strathmore Artist Papers^TM partnered with Artterro^® to develop the Art Journal Kit. This Madison, Wisconsin based company is well known for their high-quality, innovative children's art kits and commitment to environmentally sustainable products.

For more information about Art Journal Kits.

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	Workshop 1: Doodles Unleashed: Mixed Media Mark-Making Techniques Instructor: Traci Bautista Start date: January 1, 2012 Description: Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you will enjoy a creative escape as you combine different media, color, texture, collage, doodling, lettering and more to create your own mixed media paintings. Push yourself beyond traditional art media by incorporating stitching into your work. Learn basic bookbinding techniques when you repurpose a painting into a mini-book. Play with paper in ways you never imagined!
	Workshop 2: Watercolor Sketching Instructor: Cathy Johnson Start date: March 1, 2012 Description: Learn how to sketch from life using watercolor, pen and ink and more. Cathy Johnson will share numerous tricks and techniques, covering topics such as ink and watercolor, watercolor pencil, gouache and other mixed media. Learn how to start a sketch with pencil guidelines or jump right in with watercolors. Add interest and meaning to pages using a few select collage elements. Put all of these techniques to work in your nature, travel, urban or journal sketching adventures.
	Workshop 3: FORCE Drawing Technique Instructor: Michael Mattesi Start date: May 1, 2012 Description: FORCE spans all forms of art, from animation to illustration, cartooning to fine art. Mike Mattesi, author of the popular and inspiring FORCE drawing books, demonstrates his drawing theory across four compelling videos. During the videos you will learn how to draw FORCE, form and shape. Through this knowledge you will add more life and drama to your work. These three main principles can be applied to occupations in the entertainment industry such as character design, animation, illustration, storyboarding and comic books.

Our online workshops are self-paced. Workshops are held in our virtual classroom website. Each workshop consists of four video lessons and supporting downloadable instructions. Students can participate in conversations on our discussion boards or share work in the classroom photo gallery. Once each workshop begins, it will remain open until August 1, 2012.

Strathmore's 2011 Online Workshops attracted over 8,600 students and earned the 2011 Business Innovation Award at the Art Materials World trade show and convention.

Click here for information or to register for 2012 Online Workshops.

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Strathmore 300 Series Fine Art Pads feature the artwork of SCAD foundation studies students. Foundation studies professor John Rise led the group of SCAD students in the collaboration with Strathmore to create a variety of classic still life images representative of artwork created in foundation-level college art classes. "The still life study is an essential and historical tradition for artists, making it the perfect subject to represent our 300 Series Fine Art Pads," says Marketing Manager Sue List who worked with Professor Rise and the students. "And, it is likely that no artist is more familiar with still life art than a college art student. Each of the students exceeded our expectations in regards to responsiveness, professionalism and the quality of their submissions." See their artwork and meet the artists.

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Foundation studies professor John Rise led the group of SCAD students in the collaboration with Strathmore to create a variety of classic still life images representative of artwork created in foundation-level college art classes.

"The still life study is an essential and historical tradition for artists, making it the perfect subject to represent our 300 Series Fine Art Pads," said Strathmore Artist Papers^_TM marketing manager Sue List.  "And, it is likely that no artist is more familiar with still life art than a college art student. Each of the students exceeded our expectations in regards to responsiveness, professionalism and the quality of their submissions."

The new pad covers began shipping to fine art stores in May 2011. In addition to being featured on pad covers, the students' work will appear on Strathmore Artist Papers website and in variety of other marketing materials.

See their artwork and meet the artists

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The confusing part is that the sheet size that is weighed to determine the basis weight varies by paper type. For example, watercolor paper weight is based on a 22" x 30" size sheet. Drawing paper is based on a 24" x 36" size sheet.

The paper weight for our Mixed Media Visual Journal is based on watercolor paper standards. It is likely that other pad you mention is based on a different basis weight standard. Fortunately, there is a way to compare apples to apples. If you look at the metric measurements of g/m2 (grams per square meter), you can directly compare paper weights regardless of the paper type.

For example:
Visual Journal Mixed Media: 90 lb. paper = 190 g/m2
Other Paper: 98 lb. paper = 160 g/m2

In this case, the 90 lb. paper is actually heavier than the 98 lb. paper.

• FAQ

Last year I discovered the 500 Series Illustration Board for Wet Media. This paper keeps the color intense and it lets me rework parts even after it dries. It can take a beating, which I give it.

I'd like to share my 4 steps to watercolor success.

Step 1: Have a Full, Great Life
I am lucky enough to live close to NYC. I always bring my camera and take lots of photos. The more you experience in life, the more opportunities for a painting. Before I start painting, I open up the images in Photoshop, where I crop and alter the colors.

Step 2: Structure and Planning
I then make a very tight, detailed sketch. I review, and determine which parts are going to be most challenging. Without a strong foundation, there is no way to create a good work of art.




Step 3: Painting and Trust
My greatest concern is making sure I don't stick my paintbrush in my Diet Coke instead of my water. Add blacks and bring back the whites (by dabbing water with a paper napkin or paintbrush). Remove the tape and then after a few days I declare a painting complete.

Step 4: Go Back to Step 1

About the Artist
Dorrie Rifkin's work is often influenced by her career as a talented and award-winning art director. Many of her paintings feature unique local signage that

adds a personal touch to each piece. Rifkin was profiled in Watercolor Artist magazine's

December 2010 "Ones to Watch" feature. Her paintings have won prizes in many international and national juried shows. She is a signature member of both the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and the Northeast Watercolor Society.

To see more of Dorrie Rifkin's work, check out our Artist eNewsletter or Dorrie's Website: www.dorrierifkin.com

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You can save $100 on your new registration when you register at http://www.aamastersintensive.com/ and enter the code StrathNY when prompted during checkout. Space is limited at this unique event to ensure a meaningful experience.

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Through video lessons and instruction sheets, Roz will help students find their unique visual style while creating mixed media journal pages from the background up. Topics include how to execute colorful and textured backgrounds with paints and inks; work with collage papers and ephemera to explore composition; and master paper handling techniques that expand your page and enhance your journal's flow.

Lastly, Roz shows you how to take your journal into the real world to hone your on-site sketching and observation skills. The techniques and strategies presented in this workshop will enable you to discover your own authentic journal voice and unleash your creative energy.

More information or to register for our Workshops

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• Visual Journaling

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Other topics for journals include those that focus on the kitchen or the outdoors.

Kitchen Journal
A kitchen is often the most interactive area of a home and keeping a kitchen journal enables you to record the rituals of daily life. Capture life in small details: a sketch of a chair, a graphic label from a bottle of olive oil or a family recipe.

Nature Journal
This fosters quiet introspection as you slow down to observe the subtleties outside. Watercolor, sketching, leaf printing, pressing flowers and collecting stones, shells, pods and moss result in beautiful tactile pages.

Linda Blinn is an instructor for our 2011 Visual Journal Online Workshop Series.

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