Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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folklaur
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Posted: Oct 15 2008 at 1:32am | IP Logged Quote folklaur
****FEEBLE CRAFT MOM WARNING****

Okay, I got the stockmar water colors (in red, blue, & yellow) spending more than I ever have because they are supposed to be so much different and better than, say, the crayola ones we have always gotten before.
So okay.
I have these three little bottles.
That have no directions.
I opened and stirred them.
They are thick and sticky.

What am I supposed to do now?

....please help....
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NavyMom
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Posted: Oct 15 2008 at 7:44am | IP Logged Quote NavyMom
I read a good post on Elizabeth's blog once.

Also, I think there is an explanation in Drawing with Children.

I would like to get into this myself one day...

Best wishes.

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donnalynn
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Posted: Oct 15 2008 at 1:24pm | IP Logged Quote donnalynn
Hi Laura -

You dilute the paints in a small amount of water - you mix only very small amounts - it does not take much paint to last a session of watercolor painting. Are you doing wet-on-wet?

I have heard a ratio of about 1 part paint to 10 parts water - but we are talking not even a 1/4 tsp of paint. What I do is take a craft stick (or an old baby spoon - no more babies here) and scoop out a small amount of paint and put it in a baby food jar or other small glass jar. Then I put about 1/4 inch of water in the jar and mix - then test your concentration.

Take a paint brush and just paint a simple swath on a scrap piece of watercolor paper - if the paint color is very dark and does not allow for any layering - add a bit more water. If the color swath is so pale you can barely see it - add more paint.

As you work with the paints you will find what concentration works best. The concentrated paints keep very well - the mixed paints will develop off odors when you have had them too long - that is why you only mix smaller amounts. I keep my open paints and any mixed paint in the frig - one of the butter sections on the door is designated for this purpose.

Every person painting gets their own set of colors and I usually share a bigger jar of clear plain water to change colors between two or three painters. I think it is good to start with two color combinations to then find a third color - once the children get used to which colors combine to make new colors and are not only coming up with mud - then I would put out all three colors.

Hope this helps!


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