A long time ago, Danny mentioned how he sets himself up for painting and I think Jaime joined in. It was a really cool way of doing it that made life a lot easier. Does anyone remember it? If not, Danny, can you tell me again? I'd really appreciate it. I'm moving my scrap room to another room and I'd like to set things up right the first time. Thanks, bro.

He and I are similar, but I'll have him explain it. He does a couple extra steps that most people find valuable. I'll ask him to jump on tonight after work.

So are you talking equipment or supplies like for when you're going to paint or do canvas collage work?

When it comes to equipment, do you work at an easel, a table or a counter?

Good questions, Jaime. I'm assuming both. LOL

I've got to get the littles to bed, but I'll be back in awhile to answer.

Sorry, bro. We're uploading the issue and I'm pretty much losing my mind. LOL

OK, let's see. I'm not sure which you want. I'll start with equipment.

It depends on how you approach your work. Do you like to move been a table and an easel or are you strictly a table kind of guy? I stick mostly with the table. I only use the easel when I want to control drips and flings.

I have a table that I can move up and down and slant. I tend to work for hours at a time and it can really wear on your back and feet, and being able to adjust for what I'm doing helps a lot. Man, now I sound like an old man. The art school me couldn't have cared less. LOL

If you're using paint in a room that you care about the floor, I would consider investing in rubber floor mats. My "studio" has a concrete floor and I don't care if it gets paint all over it.

If possible, try to have your desk or table near a window and keep it open. This will help with drying time as well as ventilation. Of course, if you're trying to slow down the drying time, keep the window closed.

My prep sounds like a lot but I have it down to such a science that I can get it done quickly. It may take you a bit of time to get it to happen naturally.

Basically, you want your hand and brush to follow a circular pattern.
If you're right handed, place your setup to the right of your project; if you're left handed, please it to the left.

Here we go.
2 piles of folded paper towels placed so they form an angle or L shape.
Place your water container in the middle of the L.
Use one set of folded paper towels to get rid of excess paint.
Use the other set of folded paper towels to blot excess water.
Your water container should be wide enough that you don't have to look and aim.
Your palette goes next to the water container completing the circular pattern.

This allows your hand to move the brush easily through the rinsing and reloading paint process so you don't have to take your eyes away from your project. It also gives you more control over your paint's consistency because it won't get over watered. You'll also clean your brush faster, keep your water clean longer and minimize the amount of paint that goes into the water system.

To use the setup,
load your brush with paint
when you feel the paint pull, or you need to change colors, move your brush to the paper towel stack closest to you
wipe off the excess paint on the paper towel
insert your brush into the container of water and move it around along the bottom
Remove the brush from the water, blot it dry on the other stack of paper towels, reload your brush with paint from your palette, and resume painting.

No worries. The mag comes first.

This is really incredible, Danny. It makes a lot of sense and it's definitely something I'll be setting up. I think it will shave some time off the whole process and I can always use some extra time.

Thanks, man. I appreciate it a lot.

I bet you were an amazing teacher, Danny. You break things down really well.

I'd give anything to take a class by him.

Can you imagine a weekend of classes taught by MI admin? Throw in Jaime, Jake and Noah and you've got one hell of a winning combo. I'd pay big bucks for it.

I know I'm late to the party and you probably already set everything up, but if you haven't then keep in mind the direction in the way you work. If you set your things up on a counter, do you work from left to right or right to left or just grab and go? If you think about the way you move through your room, then it will give you a good idea of how you want to set things up. Also figure out where you usually work and concentrate the light on it. I know it sounds obvious, but a lot of people forget about the direction of the light.

Jayson Ceallaigh wrote:
I'd give anything to take a class by him.

Can you imagine a weekend of classes taught by MI admin? Throw in Jaime, Jake and Noah and you've got one hell of a winning combo. I'd pay big bucks for it.

I've been lurking for over a year now and I think this is a great idea.

Ben Savreux wrote:
Jayson Ceallaigh wrote:
I'd give anything to take a class by him.

Can you imagine a weekend of classes taught by MI admin? Throw in Jaime, Jake and Noah and you've got one hell of a winning combo. I'd pay big bucks for it.

I've been lurking for over a year now and I think this is a great idea.

Glad you came out of hiding Ben! We're a pretty friendly bunch here.