Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Art Blog

Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.

Artist Tip 28: Painting A Series

Artist Tip 28: Painting A Series

CJAS Staff

“T’aint Whatcha Do; It’s the Way Howcha Do It” is an aphorism from an old jazz tune that applies as well to painting as it does to playing jazz. In...

Artist Tip 28: Painting A Series

CJAS Staff

“T’aint Whatcha Do; It’s the Way Howcha Do It” is an aphorism from an old jazz tune that applies as well to painting as it does to playing jazz. In...

Artist Tip 29: Exploring Opaque Watermedia

Artist Tip 29: Exploring Opaque Watermedia

CJAS Staff

Because it is insoluble when dry, acrylic was used as a transparent underpainting to achieve a radiant, rich color. Casein was applied in translucent and opaque layers over the acrylic.

Artist Tip 29: Exploring Opaque Watermedia

CJAS Staff

Because it is insoluble when dry, acrylic was used as a transparent underpainting to achieve a radiant, rich color. Casein was applied in translucent and opaque layers over the acrylic.

Artist Tip 30: Finding A Direction

Artist Tip 30: Finding A Direction

CJAS Staff

An artist does not compose his painting by filling it with things; boats, barns, trees, and mountains. He composes it by designing and arranging on his paper areas of color,...

Artist Tip 30: Finding A Direction

CJAS Staff

An artist does not compose his painting by filling it with things; boats, barns, trees, and mountains. He composes it by designing and arranging on his paper areas of color,...

Artist Tip 1: Understanding How Reflected Light Works

Artist Tip 1: Understanding How Reflected Light...

CJAS Staff

If in order to create three-dimensionality, you paint the shaded side of an object dark, cool, and neutral and you paint the illuminated side light, warm, and bright, you'll produce...

Artist Tip 1: Understanding How Reflected Light...

CJAS Staff

If in order to create three-dimensionality, you paint the shaded side of an object dark, cool, and neutral and you paint the illuminated side light, warm, and bright, you'll produce...

I'll Take Mine Glazed

I'll Take Mine Glazed

Mona Lisa

Oh, sure, I love those Krispy Kremes as much as the next person and I take mine glazed, too! (Especially, when the HOT DOUGHNUTS NOW sign is on! Yum Yum!) But, today...

I'll Take Mine Glazed

Mona Lisa

Oh, sure, I love those Krispy Kremes as much as the next person and I take mine glazed, too! (Especially, when the HOT DOUGHNUTS NOW sign is on! Yum Yum!) But, today...

Art Whatsits: The Mouth Atomizer

Art Whatsits: The Mouth Atomizer

Mona Lisa

Ever have someone find something in your studio and ask “What is this?” Well, if not yet, and if you paint long enough, you will! Because artists just love their...

Art Whatsits: The Mouth Atomizer

Mona Lisa

Ever have someone find something in your studio and ask “What is this?” Well, if not yet, and if you paint long enough, you will! Because artists just love their...

Cheap Joe's Goes Back To School

Cheap Joe's Goes Back To School

Mona Lisa

OK.  What if you woke up tomorrow morning and found you had to go back to school? When you reach a certain age, You shouldn’t have to worry about pop...

Cheap Joe's Goes Back To School

Mona Lisa

OK.  What if you woke up tomorrow morning and found you had to go back to school? When you reach a certain age, You shouldn’t have to worry about pop...

A Workshop is Like a Box of Chocolates

A Workshop is Like a Box of Chocolates

Mona Lisa

This week begins the Cheap Joe’s Workshop Season with Joyce Faulknor. Joyce is a transparent watercolorist from California. One of the many things that her students will learn this week is...

A Workshop is Like a Box of Chocolates

Mona Lisa

This week begins the Cheap Joe’s Workshop Season with Joyce Faulknor. Joyce is a transparent watercolorist from California. One of the many things that her students will learn this week is...

Grisaille: French for Value Study

Grisaille: French for Value Study

Mona Lisa

Value studies seem to be the one necessary evil, in creating a painting, that no one really wants to take time for. Why is that? Even though they are great...

Grisaille: French for Value Study

Mona Lisa

Value studies seem to be the one necessary evil, in creating a painting, that no one really wants to take time for. Why is that? Even though they are great...

Tools of the Trade: Zoomfinder

Tools of the Trade: Zoomfinder

Mona Lisa

Artists are always looking for easy ways to solve common problems when it comes to creating art. Tools of the trade are clever gadgets that are constantly being developed to...

Tools of the Trade: Zoomfinder

Mona Lisa

Artists are always looking for easy ways to solve common problems when it comes to creating art. Tools of the trade are clever gadgets that are constantly being developed to...

What's in a Name? What's in a Number?

What's in a Name? What's in a Number?

Mona Lisa

When it comes to buying paint, how do you choose? There are several brands to consider, hundreds of color names, and new colors being introduced every year. With so many...

What's in a Name? What's in a Number?

Mona Lisa

When it comes to buying paint, how do you choose? There are several brands to consider, hundreds of color names, and new colors being introduced every year. With so many...

Oil and Water Don't Mix... Or Do They?

Oil and Water Don't Mix... Or Do They?

Mona Lisa

These days, more and more artists seem to be looking for an alternative to traditional oil paints. They love the long lasting properties of oil paints with their clear and...

Oil and Water Don't Mix... Or Do They?

Mona Lisa

These days, more and more artists seem to be looking for an alternative to traditional oil paints. They love the long lasting properties of oil paints with their clear and...