I Love Reading Art Books

Even though I have hundreds of art books already, I regularly buy various types about specific artists, art collections, museums and instructional project-based single artist or compendium books because I have an insatiable curiosity about all things ART!

Acrylic project painted by Tristina Dietz Elmes from book ***Modern Acrylic*** by Blakely Little.

I dive into each book with the intent to read every word that I know was painstakingly placed there with love by another art enthusiast. 💓

Last week I purchased an exciting project-based art book at the new Blick Art Materials store in Fort Lauderdale during their Grand Opening celebration. The book is by Blakely Little and is titled, Modern Acrylic: A contemporary exploration of acrylic painting.

I was attracted to this book’s cover because it featured a painted image with bold, loose and impressionistic brush strokes, which is a technique I strive for in my own painting, but don’t always achieve.

Book cover for ***Modern Acrylic*** by Blakely Little.

I especially love being able to thumb through an entire book live in order to determine if I want to own the book, and therefore I very much appreciate that the new Blick store had a nice selection of books about various art mediums, techniques and for all skill levels on their shelves. 📚

What I enjoyed about flipping through Modern Acrylic is that explanations are kept short and every layout on 2 pages has lots of bright colorful pictures. Also, the artist’s simplified impressionistic style for the projects and bountiful step-by-step images make the lessons seem easy to understood and doable for beginner and more experienced artists alike.

First project book page from ***Modern Acrylic*** and version painted by Tristina Dietz Elmes.

The first project shown in the book above next to my painted version illustrate that it’s alright to vary from the lesson. These variations are natural because of different brands and colors of paints used, perhaps a different surface (I used luscious Hahnemuhle Bamboo Mixed Media paper), different brushes and the uniqueness of the brushstrokes every artist makes (for instance the book’s author is left handed and I’m right handed). 🎨

Hahnemuhle Bamboo Mixed Media paper. I love that this paper uses 90% renewable Bamboo fiber and 10% Cotton rag.

Don’t be frustrated if your practice image doesn’t look like the author’s. Instead, learn from the doing, pick up fun tidbits to add to your style, enjoy the process and embrace the uniqueness of what YOU have created. 🤓

A few ways to magnify your painting experience are to do a selected project first as presented in the book, then paint the same image several more times in different color schemes. Or, paint each project in the book sequentially, then come back to the first project and run through the projects you would like to try again a second time - noting how much easier and more fluid your painting process has become the 2nd time around and notice how you have integrated the lessons learned from the book author.

Pebeo Origin Acrylic paints used for the painting project shown by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.

For my version of a door to the patio artwork, I used the new Eco-Friendly Pebeo Origin Acrylics paints in the colors Primary Yellow, Burnt Umber, Cobalt Blue, Turquoise, Quinacridone Magenta, Permanent Green, Titanium Buff and White.

I mixed my colors on a disposable paper palette pad using a palette knife and applied the paints with a round and angle brush.

I have noticed the Pebeo Origin Acrylics tend to lie down drier on your painting surface than other acrylics, so I find it helpful to dip my brush in water often to keep the paints flowing smoothly off my brush.

I love the satiny matte finish of these paints which make the finished artwork easy to photograph! 😍

The Pebeo Origin Acrylic paints range also include gorgeous metallic (copper, silver and gold) and iridescent white shimmer colors as well, which can add an amazing punch to your artworks, but can add to the challenge of photographing your paintings. 😁

Supplies List for Pebeo Origin Acrylics Projects

Here is the book I mentioned above as well as a supplies list for painting with acrylics. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below to Amazon.

Book - Modern Acrylic by Blakely Little - https://amzn.to/4hjul8B
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Pebeo Origin Acrylics Paints - https://www.dickblick.com/products/pebeo-origin-acrylic-paints/
Pebeo Acrylic Gessos - https://www.dickblick.com/products/pebeo-studio-green-gessoes/
Stabilo All Pencil Set of 8 - https://amzn.to/4dMYgE1
Strathmore Palette Paper 9x12in, 40 Sheets - https://amzn.to/47jZX9y
Royal Brush Color Mixing Palette Knife - https://amzn.to/4cYlZQc
Palette Knife Set of 5 Plus Plastic Texture Scrapers Set of 6 - https://amzn.to/4e0lyXi
Princeton Select Artiste Brushes Set of 6 - https://amzn.to/3Wm59FU
Wood Brush Rest Set of 2 - https://amzn.to/3xLr0gI
Hahnemuhle Bamboo Mixed Media Paper 125lb 9.4x12.6in 25 Sheets - https://amzn.to/48qCtQQ
White Deckle-Edge Cotton Paper 300GSM 4x6in 25 Sheets - https://amzn.to/3UrlSX0
Canson Cold Press Texture Watercolor Paper 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets - https://amzn.to/44pxiyy
Fredrix White Gessoed Canvas Pad 9x12in 10 Sheets - https://amzn.to/47grh8J
Keff Canvas Panels 4 Different Sizes 24 Pieces Total - https://amzn.to/3Xh7voU
Arteza Stretched Canvases 5 Different Sizes 10 Pieces Total - https://amzn.to/3TmyGgX
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels - https://amzn.to/3Ur9rLA
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If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links

Check out and purchase my artworks on Etsy here: 🎨 https://www.etsy.com/shop/TristinaDietzArt

If you found my information helpful, I always appreciate tips at Buy Me a Coffee! Thank you for your support.☕
https://ko-fi.com/tristinadietzart

Happy Arting! 🎉