Takapuna Art Supplies

Color 101 -Painting with the 3 Primaries

2011-10-06T16:04:00.000-07:00

Learning the essentials of good painting does not have to be expensive. All good paintings have three things in common and in order of importance and they are, 1) good composition, 2) good contrast and 3) good colour.

This Alla Prima painting was painted using the 3 primaries, plus black & white.

Please visit our Tips and Techniques Page for a full tutorial.

All About Pencils

2011-07-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our latest newsletter talks about the history of pencils.

CGNZ's Article on Jim

2011-05-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

CGNZ ~New Zealand's Digital Community

Workshop ~7, May 2011

2011-05-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

Workshop ~16, April 2011

2011-04-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Paintings from our latest Workshop ~9 April 2011

2011-04-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sundblom's Santa

2010-12-07T14:29:00.000-08:00

Created by Chicago illustrator, Haddon Sundblom in 1931, for the Coca-Cola company. He is the Santa that still lives in our hearts and minds today...

For more on this Santa, please visit our tasart newsletter.

A behind-the-scenes look at the new mural from Nathan Ota and RISK, set to be unveiled at Ota's October 16th opening at Hurley

2010-10-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

View this video at Hurley.com

Le Stig Product-Test-Drives

2010-09-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

New Feature:

Takapuna Art Supplies' Technical Support Champion, "Le Stig," will be test-driving product and revealing the truth.

NO HYPE!

The first test-drive is down below or, see our tips & techniques page for more....

A Poor Craftsman Blames His Tools

2010-09-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

All painted with F.A.S. Poster Paint.

Tasart Newsletter Launch

2010-09-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time coming, but we've finally launched our tasart newsletter. Thanks Sean Naden for the design and for your continual help and support.

More than just a newsletter for product advertisement, our hope is to make this newsletter uniquely informative; with drawing & painting tips & demos, business tips for the artist, and artist spotlights. If you have any suggestions on topics, we welcome your suggestions. Please subscribe by clicking on this link and subscribing at the bottom of the page:

http://www.tasart.co.nz/email/mailout.php?content_id=1

Jim Painting Booker Edgerson

2010-09-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

For the past 20-some years, The Buffalo Bills Football Team has commissioned Jim to paint their 'Wall of Fame' player of the year. This year, it was old-timer Booker Edgerson. Our customers seem to enjoy watching them come to life in our in-store studio.

Massimo Polello

2010-07-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Theresa Cashmore for sharing this amazing inspirational video. It's given us many ideas for The Liquitex Freestyle Brushes! and The Splatter Brushes! Massimo Pollelo's work is beautifully designed and so textural...he certainly makes it look so easy ;-)

Paul Hooker ~Selected Portraits

2010-07-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to check out Paul Hooker's Amazing Portraits at Art by the Sea.

We were more than just a bit fashionably late but were able to catch Paul and have a nice chat and view his beautiful work. Paul's newest paintings are fresh and fun to look at!

Football, Hometown & Historical Heroes

2010-07-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

Printed Cards by Upper Deck

Artwork by Jim Auckland

Snazaroo Workshop

2010-05-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Good sport, Trish Currie from Jasco, let's Devon paint her into a Tiger.

Jim's turn!

The General Manager of Snazaroo sharing painting tips.

We all had 15 minutes to make our partners into Tigers using a photo "recipe".

Voila!

The finished Streak of Tigers...Grrrrr.

Then, we all got to look through the Snazaroo Book and choose our next character.

Woof!

Thanks SNAZAROO for a wonderfully, fun evening.

Snazaroo was established in 1989 and has grown from its modest roots supplying fancy dress hire shops to become the world's leading maker of water-based face and body paints. Today its UK factory creates and supplies hand-made face and body paints to over 20 countries around the world. We are currently stocking most of the Snazaroo line available to us in New Zealand.

Have fun!!

New~Liquitex Free-Style & BASICS brushes

2010-03-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Arriving late April, the full line of Liquitex Professional Free-Style Brushes and the full line of new BASICS brushes. Takapuna Art Supplies will be the only art store in New Zealand carrying these two ranges. And, we will continue to stock the most extensive range of brushes available to New Zealand artists.

Art Spectrum Night

2010-03-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jack Borland of Art Spectrum and to all those who attended our Art Spectrum evening. It was very informative and successful, and the first of many similar events to come....

Art Spectrum Talk on the 16th of March

2010-03-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

Step by Step Painting with Jim

2010-02-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

Here are the materials I'll be using for my painting of Daniel:

Crescent Watercolor Board, an assortment of Liquitex and Matisse Acrylics, layed out on an enamel butcher tray on folded, wet paper towels.

Here I've laid in a background acrylic wash using a Hake brush.

Using reference, I start to pick out the negative shapes behind the large Macrocarpa Tree.

I'm working with the negative shapes, using red-orange colors to establish a complimentary color scheme.

Here, I'm starting to define the light areas on Daniel with a dry-brush technique.

The finished painting, after I glazed the entire painting using Liquitex Yellow Orange Azo to enhance the color harmony.

For a closer look, check out Jim's gallery page on our website.

Schmincke Soft Pastels Arriving This Month

2010-01-15T16:18:00.001-08:00

The full line (400) of Schmincke Soft Pastels are on their way to our shop, expecting to land in a just few weeks. This should now fulfill the needs of our customers who like a mixture of pastels, ranging from hard to the absolute softest.

We also stock the full line of Faber-Castell Polychromo Chalks, Rembrandt, Art Spectrum and PanPastels.

Please check out our online store for more information.

Drawings In Steel by Frank Plant

2009-12-12T22:55:00.000-08:00

A Collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis

2009-10-31T17:58:00.000-07:00

North Shore Artists

2009-10-24T01:10:00.000-07:00

Each year The North Harbour Club supports young achievers through the AIMES Awards. The North Harbour Club has, as part of its Mission Statement, the desire to provide scholarship grants each year to deserving young people of the North Harbour region.

These Awards are presented to young people of the North Harbour Region, up to and including the age of 25, who have achieved excellence in the categories of the Arts; IT, Innovation & Science; Music; Education; Sport and Service to the Community (Hence - AIMES). In 2005, a 'Rising Stars' category was also introduced, which is now called the Emerging Talent Award.

In 2007, one of our regular customers, Rob Tucker, won the Emerging Talent Award, and this year The Earlybirds took the honour. Lead guitarist, Mike Cannon, is our neighbor. It's a pleasure listening to him warm up playing Smoke on the Water. Last week they made their second video, I Killed The D.J. (below) and my daughter and some of her friends were dancers in the video.

Congratulations to The Earlybirds!

Rorschachs into Art

2009-10-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Portuguese artist, L Filipe dos Santos, turns rorschach blots into imaginative sketches in his Moleskine sketchbooks.

2009-09-21T03:13:00.000-07:00

Bad Paintings of Barack Obama

2009-09-08T00:55:00.000-07:00

BadPaintingsofBarackObama.com

Where & How Escoda Brushes Are Made

2009-08-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

Richard Hanna in Stars In Their Eyes

2009-06-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

And, Jim....briefly.

It was fun having customers come in yesterday who saw the shop (and Jim) on Stars in Their Eyes. Well done, Richard, the transformation was unreal.

Otis Senior Barbeque

2009-05-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

Jim's annual BBQ for the graduating Seniors continues...

at BobDob's.

Nathan Ota, Jim and Greg "Craola" Simkins.

Jim flippin'burgers.

Mr. Raconteur

BobDob and Devon jamming to The Offspring.

....and Guns & Roses.

Otis 2009 Illustration & Design Graduation

2009-05-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

A Section of Jessica Dalva's Wall

Jim promised the talented Sophomore class back in 2007, that he'd make it back for their graduation. Well, we're here and their Senior Show was amazing.

Daniel, Jim, BobDob, Jessica Dalva & Nathan Ota

BobDob, Jim and Nathan Ota (three of their Otis instructor's).

Catch One of Our Artists

2009-04-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Check out Stars In Their Eyes this season (airs Tuesday nights at 8:30) on TV One. One of our regular artists, Richard Hannah, is competing this season (not sure which night) and if he hasn't hit the cutting room floor, Jim should get 3 more seconds of fame as there was some filming done in our shop.

New Gallery at tasart.co.nz

2009-04-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Our Tasart online gallery is now up and running where we are selling prints and some originals. We'll be adding artists and updating artwork gradually, so don't forget to check it out, even if it's just for a little inspiration!

Raging Luey. Limited Edition Vinyl Toy by Bob Dob

Waiheke by Plein Air Painter, Graham Downs

Leaving no. 22. Watercolour by Elspeth Alix-Batt

Muriwai by Megan Lee-Richards

To check out more art: http://www.tasart.co.nz/shop/gallery/

He Did, She Did ~Opening Night

2009-02-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks, everyone, for making our first NZ combined show a success. We're still recovering. The wine made the 100% humidity almost bearable. A very special thanks to our dear friend, Jennifer, manager of the Belgian Beer Cafe in Takapuna, for organizing all the great food and for her impeccable hospitality. We'll miss you taking care of us every Saturday after closing when you move to Oz. (sniff)

Jim's Rogues Gallery was really fun. Sorry I missed a few artist's standing with their portraits.

Richard Hannah

Graham Downs

Nemesh

Elspeth Batt

Don Ferguson

More Shots

2009-02-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Devon and Richard Hannah

Jim & Sandy

Elspeth & Sandy

Paul Hooker & Jim

Graham Jim and Richard

More Shots

2009-02-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

Graham Downs and Liz & Paul Hooker

The Flexton's

Bill & Gill, first proprietors of Takapuna Art Supplies, with Michael & Julie our part-timer.

Don Ferguson, Meryl Bishop and Jim

Jim Hanging his Rogues Gallery

Pick N' Mix

2009-02-07T01:25:00.000-08:00

New Zealand's Favourite Lollies

Down To The Wire

2009-02-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for Alkyds!

We are now just touching up, signing and framing, and both of us are in desperate need of a holiday.

Please let us know how much wine to purchase for Tuesday!

See you then.

2009-01-26T00:10:00.001-08:00

Break Time

2009-01-19T01:20:00.000-08:00

This is where we go to catch a break. The paddocks are one block over from our house and where our pony Birman and horse, Daniel, live. (Daniel is on the right).

It's nice and quiet and the horses have a great view! You can see a glimpse of Lucas Creek, the Harbour inlet, in the backdrop.

This is Pepsi. She's a doll; very friendly and gorgeous. She is the subject of one of Jim's paintings. Lucky girl.

Work in Progress

2009-01-19T01:07:00.000-08:00

We are in our studios most nights now, finishing up for our show at The Lake House (opening on Tuesday evening, the 10th of February). Among other works, Jim is creating a Rogue's Gallery of local artists who visit our store. I think there will be a dozen in total.

I'm having an acrylic support made for my girl and then I will give her an iron oxide paint effect. There will also be "creatures" in gold leaf, flying with her. She's been fun!

Hopefully we'll see you on the 10th. Invites should be mailed out this week.

Happy 2009

2008-12-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

Ah, it's been awhile.

There are lots of exciting things that are happening in the New Year!

Aside from the busy Christmas shopping season, Jim finished his Upper Deck trading cards and as soon as they are published in the U.S. we will be able to share some of them on our blog. A lot of you got to take a peek when he was working on them at our studio in the shop and that is always so cool to get your feedback.

We are both still working on painting and sculpts for our show at The Lake House, opening on February 10th.

I am working on ten things at the same time as my ideas come more quickly than my execution!

We are most excited about our New Web Site that will be officially launched (hopefully) at the end of January...although at the moment Thousands of you are finding it every day!

There will be many cool surprises on there in addition to online purchasing. We will leave some surprises, but below is a peek at what the home page will look like. Our web designers are so talented and the best find since we purchased the shop back in 2006.

Hope you all have a prosperous 2009, filled with creativity and fun.

Jim & Sandy

Full Range of Copic Markers and Refills In Stock Now!

2008-10-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that we now stock the full range (216 colors) of Copic Markers and the full line of replacement inks and tips.

New to New Zealand, and Exclusive to Takapuna Art Supplies, we are also stocking Copic's Wide Markers and Copic pads in A3 and A2 size.

Copic is the preferred marker of professional creatives! Check back for tips and techniques and samples of what artists are creating with Copics.

The Differences Between Solvents

2008-10-04T21:55:00.000-07:00

All solvents act as 'dissolvers' or thinners in oil paint, but there are differences between them.

Many customers ask, so we thought we'd post some information about each one.

Gum Turpentine is the most common solvent used in oil painting. It is 100% distilled and comes from living, pine trees. Fresh gum turpentine is clear and has an odor. It has a shelf life, however, and will turn into an amber color and become rancid over time. Gum turpentine that has 'turned' should be thrown out as it can harm your painting. It is the strongest of the solvents so it the best one to use when making mediums and varnishes. A draw-back when used alone to dilute oil paint, though, is that it leaves behind a small residue and if over-used it can separate and crack when the painting dries. The big minus with gum turps is that it is very toxic and highly flammable and many artists get an allergic reaction to it. It can also cause permanent health problems.

Mineral Spirits such as Turpenoid and Sansodor, are petroleum by-products. Their advantages are that they are as clear as water and stay that way. They will never yellow and do not leave a residue when painting thinly. They are also low odor. The draw-back is that they aren't quite as strong as gum turpentine so are not as good for mixing up mediums and varnishes. However, they are great for thinning your paints and cleaning your brushes.

Citrus Solvents are made from distilled citrus peel and are very fragrant. They can also be used to thin your paint and clean your brushes. Some artists prefer the smell over gum turpentine. They are also less toxic.

Odorless Solvents are just that; completely odorless, which means that you can paint in an enclosed space without ventilation and virtually no odor. They are still toxic however, and you should avoid contact with your skin. Their vapors will still get into your nose and eyes so this product should also be used with caution. The Australian brand, Archival has a slower evaporation rate to other odorless solvents, so that can be a health benefit. Archival solvent will also keep your paint 'open', longer due to its slower drying time.

The main function of odorless solvents are to dilute your paints and clean your brushes.

Turpenoid Natural is an alternative to all of the above. It is non-toxic and non-flammable. It was designed as an effective brush cleaner and conditioner, but it can also be used as a painting medium. When added to your oil paint, it makes the paint water soluble, so clean up is a breeze. The draw-back is that it is more expensive than the other solvents that we stock, but it is perfect for the artist who has health concerns. And, it smells really good!

For more information about all these products and more, stop by and see us!

What We've Been Up To...

2008-09-19T00:59:00.004-07:00

Jim has finished his annual Buffalo Bill's Portrait. This time the player was Bruce Smith. We managed to send him off the day before our quick trip to Sydney and Singapore.

Now we're back in the shop, working on our combined show in February. Feel free to stop by, have a cup of coffee and look over our shoulders.

Sydney Harbour Cruise

Singapore Polo Club

artworks~get complimentary tickets at Takapuna Art Supplies

2008-08-21T14:27:00.001-07:00

We are proud to offer free tickets (while supplies last) for Auckland's Biggest Week of Art Charity Exhibition and Sale.

Tickets ($20 value) provide unlimited entry to the exhibition between the hours of 10am to 4pm, Monday the 25th of August to Saturday the 30th of August. And, 5:30pm to 9pm Wednesday the 27th.

The Takapuna Drawing and Painting Club

2008-08-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

Many of you have probably noticed over the past few weeks some renovations at our shop. We, especially Jim, have been inundated over the past year with requests for classes. SO, we are making space for a weekly drawing and painting workshop. Jim (and Nathan Ota) ran a life drawing and painting workshop at Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles and our workshop will be run much the same...interesting, costumed models holding 3 to 4 hour poses.

We will keep you posted on start dates, etc. and send out emails to the thousands :-) who have left their details at the shop.

The countdown starts NOW.

See you all soon.

Politically Correct Snapper

2008-07-25T00:31:00.000-07:00

Jim's Snapper was made from 100% recycled material. This one was a prototype for a piece with a school of three that sold at Mairangi Bay's Recycled Art Exhibition this month. He's taking me out for a Snapper dinner with his earnings. He'll be eating a side salad and nibbling off my plate.

Buy a Great Print. Help a Great Cause.

2008-07-23T01:28:00.000-07:00

Thumbtack Press is offering this signed, limited edition print by Bob Dob as a fundraiser for

St. Jude's Children Hospital Cancer Research . Check it out. Bob and Tony are really good guys with their hearts in the right place. Always.

Reference

2008-07-22T01:14:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I came across this 1945 Coca Cola Ad by Dean Cornwell in a little shop in Devonport, Auckland and had to have it. (Although, I ended up finding it much much cheaper at paperboynews.com).

Besides having the American/New Zealand connection and the fact that it's a beautiful painting, I fell in love with the illustration because Coca Cola and Dean didn't do their research. Not only is the heading incorrect; it reads- Have a "Coke" = Kia Ora and below "kia ora", in brackets, it says "Good Luck". But, Kia Ora is a Maori greeting much like Aloha...just a "hello". The "Maori" in the illustration looks nothing like Maori, nor his dress nor his tattoos. His waka (canoe) looks nothing like a waka. The motifs on the "waka" are not Maori. The Meeting House is pretty spot on, though. And let's face it, the painting, as usual, is beautifully painted in the typical Dean Cornwell style.

Raven Lady

2008-07-17T01:03:00.000-07:00

I'm drawing/painting a series, based on Theatrical Postcards. This is a drawing for my latest, the first being my Rat Woman. The quote at the bottom will hopefully be the frosting on the cake.

~Sandy

Vietnamese Fruit Hawker

2008-07-17T00:37:00.000-07:00

With the help of Jim (building my armature) I'm finished with my first ever sculpt. It was so much fun, I can't wait to start my next....two, which I have plans for!

I was lucky enough to visit Vietnam in 2005. I've also been working on a series of paintings based on my photos and the whole experience.

~Sandy

Reach Out

2008-07-02T01:08:00.000-07:00

Last night we attended The New Zealand Art Guild Member's Exhibition at Takapuna's Bruce Mason Theatre. Along with member's exhibiting some of their work, 88 artists contributed to Reach Out. They were provided with a small wooden panel and given a theme to paint. The theme this year was On Your Mind and interpretation of the theme was entirely up to the artist. When all of these individual artworks are combined, they create an overall image. The overall image of the collaborative artwork is kept secret, even from those participating in it, until the unveiling of the artwork, last night, at the opening of the NZ Art Guild annual exhibition.

The artwork will be auctioned on Trade Me with proceeds going to the Mental Health Foundation of NZ. The show closes on the 30th of July, so check it out if you can.

Creature

2008-06-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Most regulars have seen Jim's creature come to life in the shop. He finally baked him a couple of weeks ago and soon he'll get some duds and a cool do.

Rat Woman

2008-06-01T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sandy tried a some new techniques with this piece. She gessoed a piece of hardboard with Matisse Background Colour (off white), drew the figure and rats using a graphite pencil and Derwent water soluble graphite. Then, painted a coating of shellac over the image and glazed with oils mixed with Archival Flow Gel Medium.

Best In Show - New Works from Megan Lee-Richards

2008-05-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

Courtship, Oil on canvas

Showjumper, Oil on canvas

Megan Lee-Richards is now showing several works at the flagstaffgallery until June 10.

Caddy

2008-05-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

We decided to take Jim's caddy, made from sculpey, and put a faux bronze finish on it. We used a bronze metal coating, a traditional mint green patina and then rubbed some Matisse graphite grey acrylic over the top. All products are available in our store.

Adam Portrait Awards

2008-05-14T14:48:00.001-07:00

Winston by Barry Ross Smith

We found some time on Sunday to visit the Lopdell Gallery in Titirangi. Currently showing are the entries for the 2007 Adam Portrait Awards which were all impressive. Our only disapointment was that the theme was "New Zealanders" so we were expecting more paintings like Barry Ross Smith's painting (above). A lot were self portraits.

We also were thrilled to stumble upon David Kennedy's show, The Bronze Goat, in the adjacent space. WOW! We LOVED his work; quirky, smart and pithy humour and so much fun to look at!

Both shows run through the 8th of June.

Graham Down's Solo Exhibition

2008-05-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Graham's show opens at 5:30pm on the 20th of May at the Satellite Gallery http://www.satellitegallery.co.nz/, and runs through the 1st of June. He is showing 50 small pleine air paintings of the Auckland area.

We will definitely be at the opening! We feel like we've lived this one with you, Graham!

"Hikari"

2008-05-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

Minori Kawana is exhibiting his photographs at The Depot Artspace in Devonport, opening on the 24th of May. www.depotartspace.co.nz

Wonderfully Weird

2008-05-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

Michael Kennedy is having a solo exhibition at the Small Dog Gallery in Devonport.
http://www.malangeo.com/

Good luck Michael, on your first solo show. We can't wait to see all of your work.

Seriously Funny

2008-05-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, near closing time, a young man came into our shop. Two days before we sold him some Art Spectrum odourless solvent and a bottle of Liquin as per his tutor's instructions. He had returned to inform us that he wanted a refund since he hadn't used them. When we inquired as to why he wanted to return the products, he told us someone at the other North Shore art store (which is located in Albany) told him that those products were "inferior". And, "Liquin will crack his brushes". They recommended that he substitute a non-odourless FAS solvent and didn't even suggest another fast drying medium. They simply told him, "Liquin will crack your brushes".

WHOOOOAAAAA?!

Which brings us to our Daily Report. We will share professional advice because we are professionals. Please don't accept advice from pimple-faced clerks who haven't even completed a semester of art school.

But, keep sharing the "advice" of those Wunderkinders because we definitely need a good laugh....daily. ; )

Closing Time

2008-05-07T00:42:00.000-07:00

This really corny sunset caught our attention just before we closed the shop.

The colours were so beautiful, it was like a bad painting.

John Clifford's SUMMER DAYS

2008-04-15T14:28:00.001-07:00

John Clifford's 'Summer Days' opened on the 13th of April at the Aesthete Gallery in Parnell. The show runs until the 1st of May.

John is a valued patron of Takapuna Art Supplies. Here is a link to his current show: www.aesthete.co.nz

Pleine Air Demonstration by North Shore Artist, Graham Downs

2008-04-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

Graham's show is opening on the 20th of May at The Satelite Gallery and runs for two weeks.