A Review of Matisse Structured Artists Acrylic Color

The Matisse Structured Artists Acrylic Colors are fun!  Plain and simple, that's the first thing that comes to my mind.  They are a heavy bodied paint formulated to naturally lay down on the canvas with some bulk.  I purposely chose a project that could be enhanced with some texture.  And I really enjoyed watching that texture appear with very little effort using the Matisse Structured Paint.   It felt like the paint was working with me rather than my needing to manipulate it. 

The tubes have wonderful flip tops making it so much easier on my hands to get to the paint.  And I believe those tops will also create a better seal over time, thereby allowing a longer shelf life for my paints.

The colors are vivid and scrumptious.  There is a wide range to choose from - 96 colors in all.  They mix nicely.  And the colors lay down clearly and beautifully on the canvas.  You will be tempted to try all the colors, as I am.

The Matisse Acrylics have a longer open working time than other acrylic paints I've worked with, allowing me to leave more colors out on my palette.  And also giving more freedom to play with my mixed colors as the painting developed.  The Matisse Structured Acrylics would be perfect for mixed media painting and for mixed media collage work.  The heavy body lends itself easily to the various techniques used in these popular art forms. 

These are the supplies I used for this example.  I got all my supplies at Jerry's Artarama:

Matisse Structured Acrylic Colors
          Raw Sienna
          Magenta Light
          Antique White
          Transparent Venetian Red
          Burnt Sienna
          Naples Yellow Light
          Transparent Yellow Oxide
          Unbleached Titanium
          Phthalo Blue
          Burnt Umber
          Titanium White
Colour Shaper Painting Tool
Jewel Bristle Brushes
Ampersand Artist Panel






Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

On my Worktable today...

Today I am finishing up this leopard portrait. It has taken me longer than usual. It is a special gift for my son. Maybe that is why it has taken so long. I am excited to give it to him. I hope he is pleased.

Wind and Honey Creations

On My Worktable today...

Here is a glimpse of what I am working on now.  She is being drawn in graphite - Derwent Graphic 8B.  I do almost everything in 8B.  This isn't the best copy of the image but I just took a quick photo rather than a scan.  This swan has a secret.  And her secret will be revealed when she is complete.  I'll post her here when she is ready to share her surprise.  This piece was inspired by a young friend of mine who has overcome difficulties in her life and is moving forward with joy and strength.

And this is what else is on my table.  Kenya thinks swans are boring.  He is quite sure that he should always be the subject of my drawings.  --funny.....he's yawning but really it kind of looks like he's laughing!  Can you hear him?  HaHaHaHaHa!!!!

What is your newest project?

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Faces From Eureka Springs

 

These are the faces of some of the friends we made while in Eureka Springs.  We spent an afternoon with them thoroughly enjoying their company.   These beautiful cat faces belong to some of the residents of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.      

 

The refuge takes in all kinds of big cats that need a home - usually because someone thought they could keep a wild cat as a pet.  Then one day the bobcat started spraying all over the house or the cougar shred the couch.  Or the tiger began to show some aggression acting like, .... well, a tiger.   Imagine that?!

  

What in the world makes people think they really can make a pet out of these cats?  No one loves them more than I do.  No one would absolutely love having a lion lying around the studio more than I would.  But its just not realistic.   And even if you could, it isn't fair to the cat to be so confined.

 

Turpentine Creek is a sanctuary so they do not do any breeding or selling of the cats.  They simply provide them with a safe home.  They attempt to make their habitat as conducive to what is best for the cat as is possible.  They are a non-profit organization.  So, funds are always an issue.  Some of the cages are smaller than is ideal while they wait for funding.   I wish I had a bundle to share with them to make all those cages as large as possible

 

My son is a gifted photographer.  He took lots of great shots for me. I will be able to use them for art reference.  I'm so excited to get started.

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