Watercolors

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


The best quilting fabric available in the market today are the RJR fabrics and if you are a quilter then you need look no further for your perfect fabric. This fabric manufacturing company has pioneered in the craft of quilting. The company’s motto is “Creating Fabrics That Reflect Your Lifestyle”. Most quilters cannot deny that RJR fabrics is an extremely successful company when it comes to fulfilling this pledge. RJR is known for manufacturing cotton fabrics of the highest quality and they also guarantee 100% money back.

In today’s world, it is extremely difficult to a company that stands firm on its belief system. But RJR is an exception to this. The most unique thing about RJR is that they absolutely refuse to sell any of thei rproducts to any large chain store. It is RJR’s belief that the best way to serve quilting enthusiasts is through local, small fabric and quilting shops. RJR maintains that small shops hire employees based on their understanding of the quilting craft and who share the enthusiasm of a true quilter. Many small businesses owe their success to the support shown by RJR.

The designer’s quality is another reason why RJR fabrics is such a successful installation. Lynette Jensen is one of them and she designs close to 6 collections per year for the fabric company. She ownes a Minnesota-based business called Thimbleberries. Thimbleberries grosses the highest when it comes to quilt pattern companies in the nation. Jinny Beyer is another designer who designs for RJR and they are indeed proud to have her. She was one of the first designers who designed a line of fabrics for the purpose of quilting alone and today she designs 3 collections per year for RJR. She also designs a solid line. According to many, Jinny Beyer has revolutionized the industry of quilting with her stylish and amazing fabric designs and also due to her ability to understand a quilters needs.

Susan Branch is another RJR designer, who is responsible for the Martha’s Vineyard Watercolor Collection, which is based on The Heart of the Home, one of her popular book series. Laura Heine has been in the quilting industry for over twenty years and has won many awards as a quilt artist. She owns a quilt shop located in Billins, Montana and she is the author of many books and pattern collections. RJR recently added Cori, a Canadian designer and Myra from Blue Meadow Designs and with this the company has truly gone international. This duo is responsible for publishing many books that have sold in great numbers.

The successful lines of these designers are proof of the fact that RJR fabric pays close attention to all aspects of the business. RJR ensures connectivity with its quilt shops by conducting many special events including a challenge to use a new fabric line for a special quilt design. RJR is very particular about customer service and strives to stay in line with designers as well as quilters. RJR understands their customers completely and this is why they restrict sale to small shops only. RJR is reputed for its quality and it ahs done this combining top-notch design with leading customer service. All conventional quilters choose RJR fabrics when they want the best design and quality.



JOE

Lynne Albright asked:


The fascination of the almost-mesmeric effects of ever-changing, sparkling light patterns on water has intrigued artists for centuries. The subject could be pounding seas, a placid lake, a rampant river, or a wandering stream. Translating the feeling of the play of light on water to a two-dimensional painted surface is an engrossing artistic endeavor.

Watercolor and acrylic are two interesting mediums (among many) having unique characteristics when used to give the illusion of reflections on water. Handled differently, both are water-based paints, but are definitely diverse in their applications and results.

Different rendering methods are required for reflections of clouds, trees, bridges and boats on top of the water as well as earth and rocks under the water. In the following examples, paintings referred to may be seen in larger scale at: http://www.LynneAlbright.com.

Painting #1, “Red Boats”, will illustrate the usefulness of both the opacity and the transparency of acrylic in reflections. [Copy and paste address below in your browser to view the image]

http://72.29.83.110/~image2/images/Red-Boats.gif

The reflection of the sky was painted in a transparent, thin wash with lots of water and let dry. The reflections of the trees were then built up in many layers of opaque and darker, less intense colors, as reflections would appear in water. (Notice the darker red of the boat’s reflection in the foreground).

The colors of the sky and clouds, showing through between the tree branches, were added in opaque light blue and white. Shadows on the end of the bridge reflect in the water in transparent, washy layers.

Painting #2, “Canal Crossing”, is a watercolor example of rendering the bubbling, foamy water behind a paddling parade of canal ducks. [Copy and paste address below in your browser to view the image]

http://72.29.83.110/~image2/images/Canal-Crossing.gif

The reflection of the colorful underside of the bridge was painted first and let dry. Then the waterway passage underneath and behind the ducks was “scrubbed” out with clear water and a soft brush. Carefully done, this takes off the surface paint and exposes the white base of the watercolor board. After thoroughly dry, the board was then painted with horizontal strokes to create the illusion of moving water behind the swimming ducks. This method takes advantage of the non-permanence of the watercolor medium.

Painting #3, “Shallows”, illustrates how acrylic paint is utilized both opaquely and transparently in painting 1) pebbles and the ground when seen under water and 2) bridge railings reflections on the surface of the water. [Copy and paste address below in your browser to view the image]

http://72.29.83.110/~image2/images/Shallows.gif

1) The pebbled ground in the lower left foreground steps down under the water towards the middle of the canal. This part of the painting was done at the same time as the bank of pebbles on the right, but the detailing of submerged pebbles is slightly blurred, as it would be when seen under the water. Then, after it all was dry, a transparent water effect was painted over the area. Because of the permanency of the pigment, however, the image underneath remains perfectly intact.

2) The reflections of the bridge railings are opaque, wavy, abstract patterns looking almost like ribbons bobbing across the water’s surface and over the submerged stones.

Painting #4, “The Yellow House”, shows the multi-layering effect obtained using opaque acrylic paint in rendering reflections on water. [Copy and paste address below in your browser to view the image]

http://72.29.83.110/~image2/images/The-Yellow-House.gif

First, the opaque, blue-green pigment representing the sky reflection in the canal water was put on the canvas. Next the reflection of the dark fronds of the palm tree in the center was added. Over the top of the palm frond reflection, several shades of lighter blue-green “ripples” of water portray the surface movement of the canal water. Three layers of opaque paint create the illusion.

In acrylic, white pigment is added to a color to get a lighter value. In watercolor, a light value of a color is achieved by letting the white of the watercolor surface show through and darker values are achieved by laying down cumulative washes.



RAPHAEL