Art shops

krappyrubsnif

I am having a bit of an art attack.  Now that John Jones is no more, where can I go to find a decent range of acrylics?<br>

vetski

Cass Art in Islington (Colebrooke Row) is probably your best bet.

miss annie

The downstairs art shop in Muswell Hill - looks Gaudiesque Cowling & Wilcox at Highbury Corner, although the Soho one is better. The Art & Craft shop on Stoke Newington High Street. Fish & Cook on Blackstock have a small selection. The art shop by the railway bridge on Holloway Rd used to be good but haven't been in for a couple of years. The glorious £1 shop by the Clarks factory shop on Seven Sisters has the canvas frames to paint on (for a pound obvs).

sharybo

Best bet is Cass Art,(Islington or Soho) or Cowling and Wilcox in Soho.  If you just want acrylic paint though, it's worth finding a branch of The Works as they sell acrylic paint and gesso at a ridiculously cheap price.

miss annie

Cass Art is ok but not brilliant, depends what you want. I find it a bit supermarkety.Their selection of colour pencils is not very good. Cowling & Wilcox is much better . If you want a 'proper' art shop go to L.Cornelissen round the back of the British Museum, it's bloody brilliant, all kinds of wonderful specialist potions in there. It's not cheap mind.

krappyrubsnif

I went to Cass Art today and picked up some chrome green, light olive (of course), mixing zinc white and a coerulean blue (to add to existing colours I already have).   I haven't bought paint in ages.    I was surprised at the diversity of grades of acrylic and how expensive the good quality stuff is.  Good shop and helpful staff.<br><br>I never had any formal instruction.  Does anybody know how to use acrylics properly?<br><br><br>

miss annie

Yes. You don't really need formal instruction with acrylics, they are just about the easiest of all materials - you can do anything from slapping it on with a palette knife like oils to watering it right down. If you want a nicer, matt finish to your work try gouache. Added benefit of being able to use pencils or ink over it too if you want to.

krappyrubsnif

I've used 'em all at various times and acrylic is definitely on the button for me.   The main issue will probably  be how to keep the paint from drying up when it's hot or painting in bright sun.   I know some people use special palettes.   Pro artist I spoke to in Sussex yesterday said he uses an indoor plant spray.  I'll experiment.  <br>

vetski

Haven't got an artistic bone in my body, but am curious - does the pro artist spray his palette, his canvas or both?

krappyrubsnif

Palette I think, but for all I know he could have had it full of gin and sprayed it down his throat - I didn't see.  Nice pictures though.<br>