INKTENSE TIPS, NOVA PAINTS, ART BOOKS, FIGURE PAINTING, AND HOW TO USE A MIRROR: STUDIO VLOG n. 49 

I have been viewing a lot of virtual museums lately ....as I "moved" through and looked at the art , I cought myself doing this.....I would love some pieces and other I would say "oh my 😲😝😰" I found myself really being critical of some because of style , content or both...and it hit me finally what I was doing and I stopped and asked myself ...what is art? I went back and re looked at some of those "oh my" paintings with that question in mind ....what is art....was that oh my painting art....yes. My answer to that question...art is art...we are all different and view the whole world through the lens of our own perspective ....some things catch our eye...some things not so much....as artists we create in the way that is pleasing to us...even when we challenge ourselves . I realized that day that to appreciate art was to do just that.... appreciate it. Color, line, content , medium, presentation even meaning conveyed ....appreciate it . The world has become increasing critical and hostile to so much these days ...to what is essentially individual perspective ....I did not want to be a part of that.....especially within a medium I love . So...to make a short answer long 😁....I love your style .....I admire how you honestly put yourself out there like the best friend we all are missjng hanging out with these days ....and I appreciate your art..all of it...art is art ....from those we have strangely deemed masters to the masters who's work is never seen.....we create because we love it....that is what makes art great. Keep on creating and never apologize. ....you are a master of the Sandi Hester style...and it brings happiness to all who choose to appreciate it...just appreciate art. ❤

I look forward for every Friday, because I know it’s video day!!! I love your art, your sense of humor, and always appreciate whenever Grady makes an appearance! You are my favorite you-tuber and artist!!! Thanks for always making Fridays extra special! 🌈🌈🌈

I find taking a picture of my progress really help! When I'm working through a problem, the issue seems to immediately jump out at me once I look at the picture... Especially if the picture is in my phone cause the image is smaller and more compact.

I always try to find a flow and that’s when my best paintings turn out satisfactory for me. Also I threw out realistic painting ideas out the window and that has created so much fluidity to my art process

I went out and bought a big cheaper sketchbook to work on painting without a drawing first. You inspired me to try to loosen up and work on trusting myself and the process.

What would you say the difference between a professional artist and hobbiest ?, I feel that either the Art making is in your veins or not, it doesnt matter either for their title, it can play different part of different people life. Is it about making a living ( earning money) that makes one a professional? If yes, Van Goch wasnt a professional , but he spent every healthy and not so healthy moment of his life painting. An hobbiest can benefit using the mirror method if they want to find new ways with art. Is it about being talented and making "good" art? Who decide on what good art is? l

Love NOVA PAINTS

I adore your soulful portraits - please show more of them! Sandi forgive me if I repeat myself but I couldn't find my email to you on this page. I know the last thing you want to hear about is another brand of paint - but as prices escalate ( a tube of Holbein Mat is $24 - $32 and 2 oz of So-Flat is $17) I decided to investigate other brands I was so surprised to discover these Acrylic Flow, Jo Sonja paints (available @ Blick for 3.92 FYI) They come in a huge range of gorgeous colors and they have samplers. After painting with them I'm REALLY impressed. They were created by a folkartist who decorated heirlooms so they promise longevity, dry mat - like gouache, but are waterproof (which I'm told gouache is not). Now I can keep painting and also paint larger. For some reason their flatness reminds me of Maud Lewis's ptgs. What a treat.

Hi Sandi,Thanks for the video,you must be inspired by the fabric samples.I just ordered a set of inktense to take on Holiday this year,thought they would be handy to take away with my sketch pad and water brushes,so thanks for the tips.I just received a fabulous book called The new creative Artist,the new 25th Anniversary edition,it’s so inspiring with lots of Different styles to enjoy looking at,another fave on my studio bookshelf 😀.x

The oct 21st painting with the flower background is also my favorite

My best description for the consistency of dry Inktense blocks, which will probably only be helpful for a handful of people, is that they remind me of Conte crayons I used in college in the ‘90s, back when they were still made in France. (They’ve been made in China for quite some time now and I recently bought some new ones and was very surprised by how different they are now - hard and scratchy and inconsistent, and very brittle.) Previously, Conte crayons were quite hard like hard “chalk” pastels, applied very smoothly, but had little dust… sort of like a soft graphite stick. They were unlike any of the other square sticks that look similar. That’s how I think of the Inktense blocks now, except obviously they are also water-soluble.

I take a pic of my painting and things just instantly pop out like the mirror too. I’m so glad you’re doing portraits in the big sketchbook! I just bought one per your video suggestion and tried a face. It was a total fail but I feel like I at least broke in the new sketchbook.

Love the patch worked little snippets. Perfect for travelling as reference. So many patterns at hand. My favourite lady was the crazy one.

“La Cuisine est un Jeu d’enfants” is a real find! You can pay up to $250 for a used copy of that book. Thanks for the flip through and sharing your art and inspiration with us!

I love the eyes on all of the women. They don’t look like conventional realistic eyes, but I see life in them.

Your video blogs are so inspiring to me. I’m extremely critical of my work. I decides to stop perfection and look at colors shapes without perfection. I’m thinking this will make me find that part of me of control in my art work.

I loved every minute as always. Thanks so much for sharing and letting us into your colorful world of fun. 🌈🥰💕🌸

Tooooo funny 🤣🤣🤣 the turkey man …… with really hairy legs ( a distant relative of Hank 🥸) thanks for making me laugh out loud , I so love your videos ❤️

This video has made you my favorite RU-vid art site to follow

Grady is like "Okay hon. I don't get it but have fun storming the castle."

LA. Cuisine is a French cookbook. The recipes would be so much fun to try. ( just translate from French to English.) Louisiana is known for their delicious Cajun food, thus LA. Cuisine. The art work is fun as well. Wonderful gifts. I'm so happy for you. Love your videos!!!

Hi, Sandi! Just wanted to tell you about NovaColor paints - they are the best but they don't send free samples - there prices are the best when you consider a 16 oz jar is around $13.00-$14.00, so not free but you get a huge bang for your buck! Thanks for everything you do (especially making me laugh 😘)

The last one-fantastic 😀

I love your painting style!! It’s just superb so lively and colourful- just amazing😻

Yay a long Sandi Vlog 😁😁😁 love Fridays!

For me i'd hafta have a mirror because (I dont know about others..) but i have know idea what i look like!.😆 Its like holding up our hand to look at it as we draw it.

The mirror trick makes so much sense! I really love this technique. For those that may not understand, a book that I have been reading "Drawing on the right side of the brain" does a great job at explaining what happens when creating using the other side of the brain. This mirror trick is kinda of what happens when looking at your art, its always mind blowing to me! Thanks Sandi!

Inktense are in a category of their own as they are dried ink (and they are beautiful) I found the more I played with them the more they can do.

I love your portraits Sandi! Have you heard of Paula Modersohn-Becker? She was a German artist from late 1800's - early 1900's. She painted many self portraits, all of them looked different. She said she wanted to paint honestly, even the 'ugliness' of people and landscapes around her. She is worth looking up! I think you will really enjoy her portraits. Oh and I learned from another youtuber that the little 'wells' in your Inktense bars box are for mixing water with your sticks and making paint! How cool is that! 😎🎨

Awsome video thank you for sharing Sandi Happy New Year to you Grady and your family animals think I've already wished you 😘

I have been using Nova Color Paints for the past 2 years for my acrylic and mixed media works on paper and canvas. They are matte and I have not found any of the ones that I have to be shiny. They last forever and are easy to mix. If a color is more transparent than I want at the time, I just mix in a little white gesso in it and that does the trick. My favorite colors are Indian Yellow (transparent) and Pthalo Turquoise (opaque). If you are starting out, just order a 4 oz jar to see if you like them. The only drawback is the hefty shipping charges-I live on the East coast, they're on the West coast, and paint is heavy.

The quilt blocks are probably a pattern called Dresden Plate and those fabrics look like 40’s reproduction fabrics. Fantastic mix of patterns for inspiration. Love the books you have been recommending as well.

Shani Rhys James uses the mirror x

I understand the mirror thing, when sketching, drawing and painting. I use my phone, I will stand back take pic and then look at the pic and my piece I'm working on. It helps me in what areas need help, between light or dark. Empty spaces or spaces that need a rescue. I do love your paintings, and ideas. I appreciate your time , and carefree paint colors. 💝😁

Kaffe Fassett is a famous artist who works in about every medium possible and Erin Lee Gafill is his artist niece. He started mostly in textiles of every type and does every kind of painting or drawing you can imagine for his work. One of my favorite things he created is a sunflower mosaic for the side of his front porch which you can probably Google and find. I think that porch is in London but I might be mistaken in that. He’s about the most prolific artist I’ve ever seen.

i love your vlogs, they make me happy

Is that French cook book by Jean Cocteau????? You might have a real find there! Introduction by Jean Cocteau. Look up that author. He is probably famous in France or was back in the day.

I've been watching these videos and every time the mirror gets mentioned I think to myself "well it might work for her but that doesn't mean it will work for me", but then I tried it anyway and DANG if it didn't help immediately (I had a cat in the picture and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it, but in the mirror I could see how the face was wonky in a distracting way). Thanks!

I thought those circles of fabric would be for you to use in your art, as a sample of patterns you can paint, they're just small swatches, as opposed to the large fabrics you use.

Instead of the mirror, I use to take a picture to the painting and reverse the image not upsidedown but to the other side ( sorry i dont know how to explain it in English jeje i speak Spanish, i hope you get the point jeje) i will try the mirror too 👍

SANDI, HELLOW, MARAVILLOUS ALL

🤔 my favorite portrait was the one you thought was too tight. It really reminds me of portrait artist Elizabeth Payton and I love her work. Reasons I enjoyed it, the layers and movement in the hair really brought her to life. It was like you caught her turning her head in a candid moment. Her eyes and lips brought so much more emotion to the portrait than the others which I think was what really pushed it to the top for me. If you could keep that essence of emotion but keep it loose it's sold gold!🪙🍀 I really like so many of your very loose people for example that boat painting series you did. Those fishermen all had that essence, individual personality, emotions and and maintaining the looser style. I absolutely love them! Oh...so did zacchaeus in your nativity dinner party painting. He is so memorable! I'd have to view them all side by side to really understand why those fishermen are just so perfect and memorable. We were by the water the other day and seeing a boat would normally just remind me of memories or something I want to create. However all I could think about were those adorable little fishermen. 🎣 Definitely keep it fun as always! Those fisherman are something really really special ❤️❤️❤️ I'm hoping you do more of those in the future. 😍

I would agree that color pencils would not be your go-to media, given the way you paint…you go big and sort of loose and splashy and pencils will not allow you to do that.

Thank you so much for the mirror explanation! ❤️ plus the difference between the crayons and the inktense blocks, I was wondering how they compared 🤔

'cooking is child's play' , explains the illustrations and its a diving chicken. poulet is chicken in french, dinde is turkey 😀

Do you like the painter Shani Rhys James? She's a great painter, uses a mirror too. X

Love!

I like the background

Hi Sandi, Do you feel the InKtense blocks are good for a beginner for doing landscapes? If so, what size set would you suggest? I love your landscapes, btw. Thanks for your videos, they’re so much fun! Take care and Happy New Year!

Kaffe Fassett is an artist known for colorful quilts and knitting.

My favourite portrait was your high society lady. The background suited her. I have a newbie question re the liquitex soft body: do you dip a wet or dry brush in the pot then paint directly on the surface or do you have to dilute the paint first? Is water or a special medium used to thin the paint? You've inspired me once again. I'm going to attempt a wonky self portrait using a mirror.

Have you ever use the Art graph you would l like them I prefer them to the Ink tents

Maybe a fun activity would be instead of a color swatch to do a PATTERN swatch page or several pages of pattern swatches as a reference. Sounds like tons of fun. You could creat a quilt series using you painted pattern swatches. They could be pieced together with jewelry findings like o rings or hand cut formed rings and pieced together like an interactive wall hanging...im getting ahead of myself.

You are an inspiration to me. Thank you🤗🌷🌷

I noticed when I was playing with the inktense blocks that you can use the lighter colors over the dark very easily and I also find when they are wet they blend fantastically. And I like that you can layer them. I had the same issue with the paper getting grainy in a couple spots because it was too wet and I didn’t let it dry enough but when it was dry I was able to layer over where the paper was like that. I love watercolor and I looove soft pastels and I feel like the inktense blocks are kind of like if watercolors and soft pastels had babies 🤣 soooo I’m really loving these I might have to convince hubby to get me the big case haha

Hi Sandi, another lovely video! Thank you SO much! Re the fabrics rounds in your parcel, I wonder if the sender thought they might act as samplers for different patterns you can use in your paintings? Maybe.

Hahahahahahaha, I think it is beyond hysterical that you thought at first glance the chicken was a man..........I did too at very look and then realized it was an even funnier chicken diving down into the page!!!!!! What a great laugh that was!!!!

The “high society lady with the pursed lips” is my fave that background really does look fun!

Inktense is used to draw paint on fabric as it heat sets with a iron permanently as it’s ink lovely

Love the backgrounds! That last portrait REALLY looks like you! (Especially the nostrils 😝 👃)

I need to invest in a proper mirror and stop using the selfie mode on my phone. It does help a lot though! Love the pattern in the background of the second Sandi/not Sandi portrait. Thanks for this delightfully long video. I loved it! 🥰

I like the scary girl. I've been so inspired by your techniques and loose style.

Oh, my. @ 12:00 the 'lady' looks like she's lit by candlelight! Beautiful.

What was the final decision/reaction to the Nova paints. I was hearing of those over time and always was going to try them but haven't pulled the 💰🛍

Have you tried Golden open acrylics?

Those circles of fabrics are called dresden plates. They would be sewed to a backing fabric then made into a quilt. Think she was sending as samples to use in your art. I love vintage fabrics and have a collection of feedsack fabrics. Also loved the Nova paints. Lovely gift, so jelly. A professional painter friend has said if she was not so vested in Golden she would have been very happy to use the Nova paint line.

Your figures remind me of Modigliani. Portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne by Amedeo Modigliani.

a mirror also flips the image and you get another subtle perspective

I was also really drawn to the La Cuisine book~ the sketches just look so cute and effective, something so effortless about them that is very appealing!

If I don't have wax paper can I use tracing paper?

in art school, i had to draw still-lifes upside down because my brain wouldn't divorce the platonic shape of the object from the object itself, so i totally get the using the mirror to paint

I like your sense of pattern. Are you influenced by Matisse?

The one with the yellow dress so pretty that looks most like you my favorite my favorite painting is the yellow dress

I am curious to hear your review for Novacolor. My experience is some colors that say opaque are actually more transparent than other brands that say they are semi-transparent. Also, stay away from fluorescent. The smell is very strong. I love the affordability and the colors are lovely!

The Kaffe book is a gem. Super hard to find a copy over here (Europe).

Have you ever tried putting drawing materials into a pencil-extender or one of those cigarette-holders? I want to experiment with loosening up my drawing technique.

Its FriYay!!!! a new Sandi video! Its my most favourite time of the week.... Thanks for the in-depth review explaining the inktense blocks. I thought I wanted the pencils, but now I want the blocks. I look forward to more reviews, paintings with the Nova paints. They have been on my "want list" for a while now. I live in Canada, and have a US post box, so, if we can ever get across the border again to pick up packages, I just may order some!!!

Its so obvious how much you are loved.😊

Having a creative practice is life enhancing. Whatever tag one wishes to apply to it is a personal decission. However, that tag does not alter the way an individuals passion for their work is heightened or lessoned. As artists we are on a life journey of creativity. It may or may not be recognised by others in ones life time. That really is not what is important . Its the process of being creative and enjoying the journey.Being recognised by many and making money from the work is simply an add on

Hi! Interested in purchasing one of those value finders you mentioned. Are those still available from Peggy Kroll Roberts? Or elsewhere? Thank you. ❤

Kaffe Fassett is a brilliant colourist and fabric/knitting designer. Look him up you'll be amazed. Loved your video so full of life.

Beautiful I will subscribe to you

Hi Sandi, really enjoying painting with Acrylics. Like you said the Pebeo(?) stinks. Would you recommend the SoFlat? I am off to a Art Supplies shop with my girly Uni friends and would like to get some. I do have some Liquitex but their only small bottles. I want something that I dont have to feel precious over.

I like elements in each of the ladies. Really love the eyes.

Last one and creepy one are my favs

Love this! Question: are you using the oversized drawing paper Moleskine sketchbook or the oversized Moleskine watercolor album? If the sketchbook, do you first gesso the page? Thanks!

That is/was a great video! I love all the portraits especially the ones with pattern backgrounds! I am self taught so the explanation of using the mirror I really appreciate. I used to struggle with paint and colors and your explanation inspired me to try again. Using the mirror makes sense now. I can't thank you enough! I want to start blopping again this is after I donated most of my paints to Goodwill. Anyway, I will start with the limited paint I kept. Thank you. Someday I am going to buy an artwork of yours!❤️❤️❤️

Love these portraits! “Wrestling” is the perfect word. Your mirror idea is the best tip I’ve seen. Thank you! Looking forward to starting your landscape class this weekend!❤

The French book is a recipe book for children. I got this book when I was a child (in France) and I still have it, I am still using it to cook and bake stuff. The author is American I think, but it was translated to French. All the measurements are in cups. And yes, it is a chicken in his striped outfit (poulet).

Hi Sandy, I’ve been quietly but eagerly watching your vids for quite a while now. I really admire your work, you’re so inspiring to me! I’ve been struggling with my artwork for years now and even though my stuff is quite different from yours, I find it very refreshing to have an artist of your caliber showing the ins and outs of this terribly challenging career. I’ve decided to come out of my silent nest today, because I think I have a better explanation for the mirror thing, I hope it helps. I think it’s all about showing the guts of harmony! My work is way more realistic than yours (that’s why I think I get so much from your stuff) and I use the mirror a lot too. I think in this context it’s easier to see how it works, but I’m sure it does pretty much the same for any sort of composition. The old mirror trick is great to help us see what’s misplaced, what’s keeping a composition out of balance. In portraits specially it shows unmistakably when an eye is wonky, not aligned with the other, when the face shape isn’t symmetrical, when one boob is mishaped in relation to the other or maybe when they individually belong to different bodies. It basically shows everything that is oddly assymmetricaI because beauty, be it realistic or abstract calls for symmetry, harmony and prefer. I don’t know why our normal perspective plays this trick on us or why it’s totally blind to this lack of balance and harmony, but that’s how it is. Maybe we naturally tend to seek this untold harmony in things and our brain does it automatically to save us the hustle. If that’s the case the mirror undoes it for us. A bit like the automatic corrector in keyboards that sometimes insist that we want to say something when we really want to say something else. Did I make it more confusing?! Was I able to help? Wish you a wonderful year, full of great untinged harmony. Looking forward to watching more of your sweet crazy videos and to growing up in my art with all the great stuff you gift to me every time you pop up in my screen. 😘😘❤️❤️❤️

I use my inktense pencils to lay in a rough drawing for placement on my canvas. When I come in with acrylic, I paint over it. If I want to move a preliminary line, I use a baby wipe. I will also use inktense pencils during an acrylic painting if I want to move an object or line or add one. Even over dried acrylic you can erase the inktense pencil with a baby wipe. I use general white charcoal if it is a dark acrylic for same purpose to try out changes. I couldn’t live without them.

So cool. Way out of the usual...art-bending... My mom taught me to defocus eyes to 'see' more...ii keep butting up against 'dont rules' that ii learned in school (not from her...she lived for artists league avant garde painting) and yr style makes me feel like 'home'.

Thanks, Sandi, for ANOTHER INSPIRING VIDEO!!! I really loved ALL the "portraits" and am now just itching to do some in this "looser" style (in an earlier art class I took some years ago we were always assigned "self portraits" as homework...mine were always t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e so I've thrown them all out (they were in a more realistic style...even the teacher wasn't thrilled...!) Also enjoyed watching today's video for the rest of the content...and found some Neocolor Caran d'Ache watersoluble crayons in my supply...can't wait to jump on those. And the mirror does really help!!! All the best wishes to you and your new camera assistant!!!!!

Make wall paper!! You would be a huge hit..."good job sandie!". I just adore you.

Long video!! Way to end my work day! :)

Oh, also Sandi, Kaffe Fassett is an art hero in terms of his adventurous spirit and colourful work, and he's SO worth researching. There are wonderful videos with him to be found on youtube. Have fun xx

I love your intro for this video, the feeling was cozy and exhilarating at the same time.

What a wonder”furry” video…thanks Sandi, I will try cats to and your techniques!,!

Sandi always keep the dust jackets on books as they can be 75% of the value of the book. I'm a book person so I loved those two books you bought.

I like to move around and take pictures as I paint, I always forget the mirror! But changing my perspective does indeed always help! Loved the gifts at the end!!