tools of the trade

As I prepare for this past weekend's workshop I always reflect on the tools I use and why. A lot of this reflection is to prepare me for the demonstration that is to come. How I can use the tools to help encourage the participants to experiment.

 One of the tools I use are pigment sticks. R&F is a brand I like a lot.

There is something about unwrapping the paper and paintings with these buttery sticks of pigment.
So many times there is a sense of freedom as I spread large areas of my paintings with the wonderful color.  Many times I use a brayer to spread the paint or just leave it thick and chunky.  This allows the history and mystery of the paintings to develop