using a sandpaper pencil sharpener

I've had a sand paper pencil sharpener taped to the top right corner of my drawing table for many years now. They can greatly extend the life out of your pencils and nearly all art stores carry them. When a layer gets full, you can just remove it and there is a clean layer underneath. They do produce lots of dust though. I figured out over time, if you put a bag over the sharpener, it will keep your area clean.

storing paint with baby food jars

Here's a pro tip that was passed on to me years ago: if you have a young child or have friends/family who do, save those baby food jars. They are excellent for storing premixed paint because of their air lock lids and convenient size. I've got a bunch of jars my sister donated to me when she gave birth to my niece and nephew. The blue in the jar I'm holding was mixed 7 months ago - and it's still active!

Gesso? I guess so.

One of the new painting I'm creating for The Artist Project Toronto will be painted on a 16" round wood panel! (I've always worked in squares/rectangles before previously. It's one of the new paintings I'm looking forward to the most.) Was a on a gessoing kick last night, priming a bunch of new surfaces.
 

(FYI: My favorite place to buy wood panels in Montreal is the UQAM art store: https://www.coopuqam.com/5-Boutique-des-arts-succursale.html)

Palettes and Gamuts

My latest painting ('The Devil is in the details') is all completed! Here's my palette I used along with the gamut. 

 I use a butcher try with Masterson sta-wet palette paper and a sponge to paint.

P = Subjective Primary
S = Secondary
dot in the center is Subjective Neutral



 I keep watching this video of modern day master James Gurney explaining color gamut mapping - how to select a limited color palette and keep it consistent. Well worth the watch!