Thursday, December 18, 2014

At the Fork Museum


sold

I have a question. Have any of you had any trouble with (recently purchased) Utrecht Ultramarine Blue? I found the last tube I got to be quite unevenly mixed. I get a splurt of oil every time I get more paint, and the paint itself seems dry and stiff. I've tried a few other brands since, as an experiment, and am liking the Gamblin version best (have only tried the ult. blue).

9 comments:

Cathy Engberg said...

I haven't used Utrecht Ultramarine Blue yet. But that is because I'm really in love with that color by Rembrandt. So far it's always been creamy and smooth, staying that way for a long time even on the palette.

Anonymous said...

This happened to me with a no-name brand, which was supposed to be acrylic, (but smelled like an oil paint.) Not sure where this stuff is made, but I can guess.

Gabrielle said...

That doesn't sound good! I use a combination of Utrecht and M.Graham brands of paint (whichever happens to be on sale when I run out). My current Ult. Blue is M. Graham so I can't directly answer your question, but I do get squirts of oil with the siennas and umbers in the M.Graham tubes. I haven't considered it a problem since luckily the paint hasn't been dry. Have you tried massaging the Ult. Blue tube to try to reincorporate some of the oil into the dry paint, or is it hopelessly dry? I'll be interested to see if anyone else has experienced that.

BTW, I wanted to say that I really enjoy the titles you come up with for your paintings. It is so difficult for me; mine always end up sounding either way too serious or stupidly cutesy. I was trying to come up with a title for a painting last night and found myself thinking, "Now, what would Carol Marine call this?"...

Johnna Schelling said...

Thanks - I thought it was only me - agree, way too dry. Switched to Holbein ('cause it was on sale). After taking QH workshop need even more luscious UB. Can't wait to see what comments you find!

Mitch said...

I love the names you are coming up with for your recent paintings.

LE said...

I bought your book a few weeks ago and have been trying my hand at smaller paintings. I am enjoying the wet toning of the canvas and trying for economy of brushstrokes. very refreshing. thanks! I am even planning a small painting challenge for my students to kick off the beginning of next semester. thanks again!

regarding the uncooperative blue - I buy a great deal of paint for my students, as our college is in a small town without an art supply store. It seems that every now and then I get a bad batch from many manufacturers. So far, when i have called, they have all been quite gracious, grateful to receive the information, and forthcoming with replacements. Give the folks at utrecht a call, I'm sure they'll be helpful. My current favorite ultramarine is from Daniel Smith. happy painting!

Jean Nelson Paintings and Photography said...

Gamblin is my favorite brand. I started using it 3 yrs. ago after a workshop with Mitch Baird, who recommended them. Never had a problem (so far) love their consistency and smoothness. Besides they are local (Oregon) manufactured.

Patricia Wafer said...

I really like the Rembrandt U. Blue also. It is perfect.

Carol Marine said...

I wrote an email to Utrecht. They are sending me a replacement tube of Ult. Blue. We'll see how that one is. Meanwhile I am trying out some other brands. Thank you for all your feedback!