In 2018 I bought myself a birthday present. I don't know that I had ever done that before...or since.
Oh for sure I had, and have since, picked out things and gave strong hints bordering on commands as to what I would like.
I may even have on occasion wrapped said gifts for the generous giver.
But that year I lived alone and had no one to give hints and requests to. And no one to rein me in.
And Opus Art Supplies had Daniel Smith professional watercolour paints on sale.
I bought a 28-pan palette from Amazon and ordered 28 tubes of paint from Opus to fill them.
Tubes of paint are priced according to the colour. Not that the prettiness of a colour determines its value; prices are based on the minerals used to make each colour.
Regular price for 15ml tubes of professional paint range from $20-$30 each. It was a big investment.
But they were on sale, I justified myself out of habit.
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I know it looks messy... but it makes pretty pictures. And yes, that's a puppy pee pad I use for a table cloth so I can just wipe my brushes on it. |
Over the years I've had to top up the pans with fresh paint, some colours more often than others.
This week, many of the pans were getting low on colour and looking kinda messy. I felt the need to clean it up a bit. - Did I tell you that on August 20th I’m gonna be a featured “Artist in the Garden” at an upcoming Farm-to-Table event at Wildflower Farm? (But that’s whole other story.)
I need a somewhat presentable palette to use while painting on display. (I cannot even believe I’m doing this. But again, that’s a whole other story)
So tonight, mostly in an act of procrastination of doing the tasks I need to be doing, I decided to squeeze tubes of colour into my palette and top up the pans.
You have no idea how much geeky satisfaction this task brings me.
And joy.
And gratitude. As I realize how justifiable it really was all those years ago to purchase professional paint. Sure it cost nearly $500. Seven years ago.
I used pliers to squeeze the last dregs from two of the tubes. Undersea Green and Opera Pink. Those are the first two tubes I have emptied in all these years. Most of the rest of the tubes average about 50% remaining.
And I paint A LOT. I've even made up a couple of smaller travel size palettes.
I must disclose the only reason I ran out of those two colours in particular is because I have put them on my student palettes. They are just wonderful unique colours not available in the student grade paints I use for my paint parties. (I've replaced my student paint tubes many many times)
Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout out to Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolours.
And if I've given you permission to buy yourself an over-the-top birthday present. You're Welcome.