My husband met Robert Bateman at a book signing 35 years ago. My husband, who was new at painting wildlife, was asking Mr Bateman for advice. Mr Bateman allowed my husband to mail him pictures of his work and Mr Bateman called him one evening and they spoke on the phone reviewing the paintings! My husband was thrilled beyond words!
I once had the honour to watch a studio session with Robert Bateman. A gorgeous wildlife winter painting which was dry. With his fame it was then worth a lot and he out it down in the studio floor and poured liquid acrylic all over it. My mouth dropped open. He then took a sea sponge and dabbed it off and it created a snow storm atmosohere and was so effective…
I have had the pleasure of meeting Bob a few times, back in the mid 80s early 90s when I was a teen. He is such a humble gentleman and a true naturalist. His eye for detail and his technique are awe inspiring, and he was very influential in my own artistic career. Two other notable Canadian artists worth looking into are Christopher and Mary Pratt (Christopher for his landscapes, Mary for her still life works). They were also very well-known and admired around the peak of Bateman's career.
I have a couple of da Vinci 5519 brushes (extended point brushes) and I love them. They are ideal for botanical painting, especialy when you go from broad strokes like leafs into very thin lines like stems or point of the leafs (you press the belly of the brush and than you lift the brush to just the tip) What I also like is that that you can make very long thin lines without having to reload your brush halfway. You use just the tip of that point but the belly of the brush can hold a lot of paint. They work way better than a rigger.
Lucky enough to live in Victoria, BC, and able to visit the Robert Bateman gallery often. Incredible and renowned artist, a true Canadian treasure. What an amazing find for you.
I'm so excited to hear your thoughts about so many things in this video after using them for a bit! I love using the Mayan Green Deep for my "black"/dark on my Stoneground palette, and I recently purchased an extended point brush from Roman Szmal. It definitely has a learning curve! (And thank you for the kind shout-out!)
Fascinating to see those extended point brushes in action! Those would be perfect for any artist with the experience and light touch to make the most of that soft, sensitive tuft.
If you take the Stoneground plein-air, and it's honey based, beware "the melt". I had bought some Renesans paints, also have honey, (saw them on your channel) and like them alot - but when I took them into the heat, they melted! Quite the mess...
"I have a new fountain pen that I didn't need." The famous words of every fountain pen enthusiast. lol I love my TWSBI Ecos. If only I could find a way to fit one with a Japanese fine or extra fine nib!
I just recently bought a palette from Seth and it is my favorite!! I got the one without the mixing areas and it has a ton of wells. Its lightweight and absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
LOL! I keep another of his books, The Art of Robert Bateman in my studio. actually on a shelf right behind my chair where I keep all my most used reference books etc.!!! Plus I got mine at a Salvation Army thrift store for $2!! I've got a few great art books at thrift stores for incredibly cheap so I always check out the book section in any thrift store I check out!!
I somehow missed this video until now. I was just going through some of your product intros and, as usual, found some new things to add to my “wish list”. Glad you liked the Stone Ground paints. I have a great collection of watercolours and gouache from excellent manufacturers, and I try to resist buying more paints. I keep running into the folks from Stone Ground at art stores and demos. They are truly excited about their product, and the quality of the paints they produce. I use tube colour almost exclusively but I have been really impressed by the Stone Ground watercolours and now the gouache. I love granulating paints and some of their hand ground single pigments give a lovely effect on cold pressed or rough paper. I was also grateful for the tip regarding Ceramic palettes. They are the best, but often really heavy! Finally, your remarks about Robert Bateman’s art were great. He is one of the great artists of the past half century. His work is extremely well researched and rendered, but far exceeds the “photo-realism” of many wildlife artists who merely reproduce what is captured in a photographic image. Robert’s work is always incredibly well planned and each element is balanced and rendered impeccably. The magic though is in the ambiance. You can almost smell the wet leaves, or taste the dust in the air. Robert studies and knows his subject, and you can pretty much see the thoughts that are going through that animal’s mind. I’m glad you brought his work to the attention of your fans. I’m going to sit this evening and reacquaint myself with an old book and an old friend!
Loving the Canadian content in this video! Robert Bateman is such a talented artist and an all around lovely person. I have had the pleasure of meeting him a few times and he is incredibly kind and friendly….always ready and willing to chat for a few minutes. I consider him to be one of our national treasures. Thank you for featuring Stone Ground Paints. You don’t often see them featured in videos and I think they deserve more of a presence. Their paints are lovely.
Oh Canada! Thanks for the CanCon, Steve. Mr Bateman is a classic, and Stoneground is a fantastic company with quality artist-grade paint. Always appreciate your reviews and insights of products - regardless of where in the world they come from. 🇨🇦 🌎 😊
I live in Robert Bateman country, where we have Robert Bateman street, Robert Bateman high school, etc., and it's great to see him mentioned - his work is stunning! Fun trivia fact, there's a line of Robert Bateman sketchbooks available in Canada, with 110lb dry media paper in them; absolutely dreamy for rendering drawings.
Robert Bateman was my high school teacher. He was just starting his art career in Burlington, Ontario at that time. I have since taken some painting workshops with him.
Interesting video! - Speaking about RB….. My boys went to Robert Bateman Secondary School in the city of Abbotsford, (just across the Washington border) in British Columbia, Canada. - My husband and I just happened to buy a bunch of his paintings from someone who gave us a great deal. - Robert Bateman is a Naturalist. He’s a Master Painter of realism, and has sold many of his paintings for upward of $100,000.0 He will go down in history for hundreds of years. The perfection of every mark that he paints is amazingly real. No one has his style. - THANKYOU for the interesting video today! I LOVE those hand ground paints! I’ll be buying a few for sure. They look awesome ! Blessings 🕊
I love Robert Bateman's art. I have several of his books which I bought back in the 80s as reference material. It is a joy to know that he, too, is still alive.
Love it when you show us products that are handmade! I recently ordered a palette from FraNord because I wanted one that was narrow, but with deep enough wells to mix enough of each color, but keep them separate. There simply wasn't enough room to keep using little ceramic dishes for each one. Lol! Was ready to go figure out if I could design my own, at our local ceramic studio, until I found Seth Stratton's shop. He has so many clever designs.
Thank you so much for introducing us to Robert Bateman. I have ordered some used books from Amazon. I live in the country but due to health issues and old age, do not get out and about. Looked at utube brief discussions with him and he seems so unassuming. He would like everyone to get out and walk, I wish I could. However looking forward to his books.
Thank you for sharing these items, especially the Robert Bateman book. I ordered one, and look forward to studying his works. Look forward to seeing more of your videos, which first inspired me into trying water color. Loved the episode of you and Emily Olsen working together.
I have the same fountain pen and I agree, there are no hard starts with this pen. I enjoy writing with mine. I especially like that TWSBI included multiple filling options with this pen and as a bonus that cartridge holds a lot of ink.
I have that book! One of my favourite artists of all time! He primarily work in Acrylic and Oils. That book was a gift I got around 17 years ago. Legendary. Great deal you got there. Can’t help but appreciate the Canada in this video as a Canadian.
Robert Bateman used to live near me in Ontario way back in the 80's. He had moved to Salt Spring Island and had a young family house sit for him while he was there. I babysat several times for this family during this time. Already at this time I was into art so being in this home was amazing to me!
My grandma bought multiple massive, signed Robert Bateman art prints of wolves up in Halliburton Ont. when I believe he had a show there in the gallery. Hmm, perhaps one of these days if and when I get the chance to get up there again to visit my family, I'll talk to the gallery about how to go about hosting a piece out two of mine...
I was very excited to see you had gotten your hands on a set of Stoneground. I was given their Landscape collection Christmas 2022 and have been using it as my plein air paints ever since. My only complaint is that the Mayan green colours do seem to need a bit more scrubbing to activate the pigments, but all others I have are delightful. Thanks as always for the entertaining video!
Thrift shops are awesome... sometimes. Did find that same Bateman book years back for $3. Its one of my favorites! In the same store I also purchased an Alan M. Hunt print of a goshawk on a snag. It is too large for my room but its double matted and in a nice wood frame. For $44 I couldn't let that bird of prey fly away! In pencil its signed, marked VI/X and the word FOUNDERS. Can't find info on it, but figure its an older limited edition. You just never know what you're going to find!!! A modern treasure hunt! 😉
In a used bookstore, last year, i found 3 Bateman books for 5$ cad… felt like i was robbing the store! What i like the most about this amazing artist is how you are drawn in the painting… you feel the air, balmy, dry, hot, cool… you can feel like the « when » early mornings, late afternoon… just before the mosquitoes come out… if you spend a lot of times outdoors, you look at his paintings and know the when, where, climate, season… just a Master!! Love your channel, new here. Thank you.
I bought that Bateman book when it was NEW!!! and YES! A photographer once said the background of your subject should be able to stand on its own to make a good photo - not just the subject
I have used one of the larger ones and use the tip like a rigor and the belly sideways with wet paint and like a dry brush idea.(Nancy from New Mexico)
Thanks for the heads up! I have some of Bateman's books from the past and was amazed at the same things you are. I watched a documentary of him at his home and he told about painting in the field one day of a fallen tree and a guy passed by and studied the painting and liked it of course. It was one of those "bare bones" type trees and he went on to paint some "big" cats in it from Africa.... The guy came back that way and again stopped to check it out. Bateman saw the expression on the guy's face and said something like, "Yeah, you should have been by a couple of hours ago! It was really something!" (meaning the cats just wandered by and posed) I'm sure the guy's jaw dropped because you know how meticulous Bateman is on detail. It made us all laugh. Have a good day Steve and thanks for sharing... maybe you should throw in some unexpected creatures in the plein aire work done in your future. Those passersby may be knocked for a loop while taking photos of you painting along. Lol - thinking of the guy with the camera in one of yours in the woods trip with your family. Did it snow that day out of season?
TWSBI pens are great, I have two including the SWIPE and I use them all the time. One warning I have for anyone looking to get a SWIPE for themselves however, know that using the pen clip can cause the casing to crack and the end cap to fall out. There is an interior cap so it won't affect the function of the cap, but I found it irritating so I ended up securing it with some clear tape.
Perlyne violet is one of my favorite colors from Windsor newton but it was nearly impossible to find. Until 3 years ago at some random shop in another state so I snapped it up mighty fast!!
Your recommendation of Robert Bateman has hit a chord. I went to my favorite thrift book site and put 4 of his books in my cart. I went back today and 2 of them were already sold out! Fortunately, I was still able to get 3 of his books for under $20. Thanks Steve!
Thanks for the Bateman plug! I have been a fan, groupie admirer from childhood in Canada . His work inspires me to see animals in a whole different way. I love how some of his work from the 80’s had a strong environmental message of how man impacts nature. Go to the wildlife art museum in Jackson hole and be floored when you enter the gallery by his Bison. I looked calm on the outside, but inside I was jumping up and down like a kid in a candy store! Real Bateman! Not just in my books! Thank you for the new black paint info too! I am going to try those as I usually mix my own blacks from similar pigments, but to have something super even each and every time? My lazy gene says YES!
How funny, I've just acquired a few reservoir liners out of curiosity for myself too! Also, thank you for the introduction to Robert Bateman. One of my largest & favorite sketchbooks has his name on the cover with his rendering of a goat, & I'd always wondered about him yet kept forgetting to research him. My ADHD is ungodly. 😂 What amazing works. I had no idea. 🎨💖
Thank you Steve! Great range of products shared. Three years ago, I demo'd Scharff's Supreme Script Liner brush that is similar to the Rosemary long point brush you showed. I've used them with oils, acrylics and watercolour/gouache and love them especially for floral and land/sea scape paintings. A full load will feed that tip for continuous strokes in field grasses, vines, water, etc. - a must have for me!
Best friend told me about Thriftbooks last week. I'm probably going to use it to pick up some cookbooks eventually, but I might look at adding some stuff from Bateman to an order. Maybe some other artists if I can remember some neat names, which is something I wasn't even considering a few days ago. The granulation on those Stoneground paints is absolutely wild. Really nice colors as well.
I got a Needle Point Brush by Alvaro Castagnet during a class with Erica Lehmann. It is as you describe - you load up the body with a medium consistency paint and have a lot of paint to use and the needle nose acts like a rigger but you can really utilize it for making more unpredictable marks. I use it sometimes when I need to get out of the "in control" feeling. I'm glad to see other options out there. Just ordered those two new blacks because I saw a set from Wet Paint that had them and I have two new all-black kittens. I thought I'd give them a try, especially for the two you demo'd and now I feel I did the right thing. While I'm waiting, I did mix my darkest green and red together and thought it was time to do this going forward. Finally TWSBI's are fabulous! Great entry pen but you'll keep on using them. Thanks Steve!
Loved your show and tell. I appreciate the review for the Twisby set and the introduction to Robert Bateman. I own and love two Stoneground half pans, a metallic gold and buff titanium. Thanks for such a nice video.
Yes, go through the whole Bateman book! So enjoyable to peruse the gorgeous work! Seriously, thank you for sharing and congrats on finding a gem of a book. (I have a Bateman video saved where he gives some demonstration time, gives insights about his career path, his philosophy, etc. Seems like an all around great person.)
Hullo Steve, I have been wanting some new ceramic palettes, I know that I will not replace my studio palette, but I have seen some wonderful smaller palettes and there are some very nice handmade ceramic palettes for sale these days! I have had a butchers tray for sampling and testing paints for years, but I have to clean it if I switch out for different brands. I like the look of your new palette! I spent money on a Noodles Triple Tail fountain pen and it is just one of the best fountain pens I have ever used. No I have never paid more than $60.00 for a pen and I just see not reason to do so either! Maybe those thousand dollar pens are worth it? I just cannot see myself buying one! Good haul video Steve and best wishes!
Oh you’ve introduced me to a new artist to check out with Robert Batesman! Magnificent nature artist indeed from what you have shown. And the Twisby Fountain Pen!! Definitely need to check it out too! Thanks for sharing this wonderful stuff video with us! Have a great weekend!
I loved the intro and man the free shipping thing is relatable! haha The handmade paints look really nice! I have my eyes on some as well and I can't wait for them to be released 😊 Also really intrigued by Robert Bateman now, his art looks magical! Have fun with all of these 🥰
oh my god what can’t believe you have a Robert Bateman book. I love him and i have one of his books. His work is beautiful. Very popular back in 80-90’s
Thank you for introducing Robert Bateman to me. Wow I've never seen his work 😳 it's amazing!! You do some incredible landscapes yourself. Also thanks for those amazing colors! I love Daniel Smith paints and those Stone paints are really nice. I might want to try them. Oh that Fountain pen looks awesome too. I use fountain pens also so I think I'll buy that one. Thanks again JK FLORIDA USA 🇺🇸.
I have a set of these “goofy big belly thin tip”. I like them I have a set from SCHARFF…. They call supreme script. I like cuz can be very creative!,,, using belly and dragging our. Great for mark making!😊😊😊😊
Dang! I just cleaned out some old supplies (gave them away) because as Ive tried new things I no longer used others. Now you come along with new cool stuff! Thank you??
I have seen Titus Meeuws, professional artist out of Holland, use these long point brushes. In one of his videos he did explain why he liked this type of brush for some things.
I did a search (UK) and they come up as Reservoir Brushes on various websites. I thought they would be used for doing long lines without the need to reload the brush with paint. 🤔
I had been debating on Jane’s black for awhile…while I use lunar black, usually mixed w another color in my landscapes; I need a smoother, more versatile black…methinks I found it! Going to go play w my PG7 & PR264 in the meantime! Like you said, there’s a lot we can mix together to TRY and get our own..looks good when we put it on paper; THEN, it dries..and bits of color peek out where you didn’t want them!
Great suggestion. I immediately ordered a ceramic brush holder. Love its minimal look and footprint. About to order a TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen but was wondering your preferred nib size? Extra Fine, Fine...Medium? thanks!
