Capital City Carvers

granule-like, you will understand. Ideally, acrylic paints should be combined with a flow medium, glaze or extender. Most of these mediums delay the drying process. My approach is to use water as a thinner, but I add it to the brush first and then go to the paint.

To ensure an even application of paint, first dip the tips of the bristles in the water and allow the water to wick up to the ferrule. Gently touch the tip of the brush on a dry paper towel to remove any potential water drips: then pull a small amount of paint from the paint puddle on your palette with the brush. Mix the color up into the brush with a back and forth motion. Don't be afraid to put some pressure on the brush to allow the bristles to separate. When individual brush hairs collect the paint, the brush is fully loaded. When the water in the brush has blended with the paint on the palette, and the color is still intense but you can see through it, it is ready to be applied to the carving.

As you run out of water, the bristles start to separate on the brush, so repeat the process of filling your brush by dipping the tips of the bristles in the water then tap them off on a paper towel. Finally, pull paint from the puddle and blend on the palette. You won't need to wash out the brush until you change colors, unless the paint starts to dry on the brush. However, if you keep the brush saturated with enough water that should not happen.

There are many ways to paint your carvings. This is just one method. Experiment with different painting styles before you paint your masterpiece. As with your carving, practice, practice, practice.

A BIT OF FUN

Here are 5 clues. Your job is to guess the correct answers. For you sports fans, this may be a bit too easy. Answers at our next meeting.

1. Football team from the Athens of the South
2. First non-American baseball team to win the World Series
3. Football team whose name was inspired by the New Deal
4. Baseball team with the second most World Series titles of all time
5. One only two football teams with its own marching band

MEMBERSHIP

Because of the Stay-at-Home policy, I will be including the 2020 Membership form along with a slip of paper giving you instructions for renewing your membership and returning the remittance to me. I will acknowledge the receipt of your check by e-mail. Those who have already paid will not be getting the enclosure. I think this will be the easiest way to renew as the date of the next meeting has not been determined. Those not wishing to renew, don't return the form and payment.

A big Thank you to Ken and Lewis Digital for printing the newsletter. We would be hard pressed to do this without them.