Koehler Art Studio Gallery Logo

Equipment & Materials


Following are some equipment and materials we use.
 

Equipment


The highest quality artist aquarelle paints and 300 lb. cotton rag watercolor paper canvas are used in the creation of your original watercolor painting. The highest quality artist oil paint and stretched canvas are used in the creation of your original oil painting. The best quality artist acrylic paint is used in the creation of your acrylic on canvas painting and your custom-designed hand-painted original wall mural. I use a 24mp Nikon camera, GIMP and PHOTOSHOP software to create special effects and to combine photos until I'm satisfied with a composition.
 

Framing


The quality of materials used in creating your frame affect both its appearance and the longevity of your painting. Our museum quality framing features "conservation quality" matting and backing that meets stringent Library of Congress standards for document preservation. The museum quality matboard is lignin-free, featuring a pure white bevel that will not discolor over time. We also use archival mounting materials.
 

Materials


ACRYLIC PAINT
A synthetic-base paint. Its working properties are similar to oil paint, although acrylic dries more quickly and is water soluble. I use acrylic paint for some of my paintings on canvas and most of my wall murals.

AQUARELLE
The French term for the process and product of painting in transparent watercolor. I never use white paint in my aquarelle paintings, allowing the white of the paper to lighten color tones.

ARCHIVAL PAPER
Archival watercolor paper is any pure 100% rag, cotton, or linen watercolor paper of neutral or slightly low ph, alkaline (base) vs. acidic and pure ingredients. I use only archival paper for my watercolor paintings.

CONSERVATION FRAMING
Methods of mounting and framing that preserve a print in original mint condition. One important aspect of conservation framing is that all material in actual contact with the print contains no chemicals that might eventually damage the paper or the inked image: these materials are usually described as "acid-free". We always frame our work using conservation materials to museum quality standards.

DIGITAL WORK OF ART
My digital works of art begin as an original painting on canvas or watercolor paper which I photograph using a high resolution digital camera. Using complex digital photo manipulation programs, I add layers, combine photos and create special effects that alter the original painting to create a new work of art. My painting called IN THE MIST OF A MEMORY was digitally altered to create two new works of art called Misty Mellow Morning and MISTY MORNING GLOW.

GALLERY WRAP
Also called a Museum Wrap. The canvas is attached to the stretcher bars by wrapping the canvas around the bars and attaching from behind. The image of the artwork continues around the sides seamlessly, giving a clean, contemporary look, allowing the artwork to be hung without a frame. My oil painting called Inspiration is among those painted on gallery wrapped canvas.

MATTING
Decorative board used in framing that provides contrast between the image and the moulding. Most matting is acid-free and is an important part of the conservation framing technique. All of my original watercolor paintings and art prints are framed with acid free matting to museum quality standards.

OIL PAINT
Paint made of pigment mixed with oil usually linseed. The oil serves to keep the paint fluid for a period of time and then as a drying and hardening agent. Appassionato is an oil painting.

ORIGINAL PAINTING
A one-of-a-kind image created by an artist that often sells for several thousands of dollars. Many of my Original paintings have been sold; however, art prints of these images are available and if you would like to order an original painting please contact me.

PLEIN AIR
Means "Open Air" or "Outdoors". Often done quickly or on the spot. These paintings are usually less detailed and more impressionistic. Fall Color is one of my Plein Air watercolors.

POSTER
A reproduction that is usually printed in unlimited quantities with a lower grade of paper and inks than limited- or open-edition prints.

RAG PAPER
Paper containing a certain proportion of cotton fiber in its physical structure used for prints. The higher the cotton contents the higher quality the paper. All of my original watercolor paintings are painted on 100% cotton rag paper.

REPRODUCTION
An original work of art that has been replicated by photographic or other methods. Art print reproductions of my original paintings are available to order at a fraction of the cost of the original piece. Just click on the smaller image below an enlarged image for imformation about the art prints.

SCULPTURE
A three dimensional work of art. Such works may be carved, molded, constructed or cast. The hand-carved wood cookie molds created by my dad, Otto Werner, are relief sculptures.

WATERCOLOR
Pigments dissolved in water. Watercolor painting is typically done on relatively rough-surfaced, absorbent paper. I always use good quality professional grade watercolor pigments for my paintings. The student quality is grainy and less vibrant in comparison.

EASEL
My oil paintings and some acrylic paintings have been painted on an easel. It is important for me to have a direct sight line to my work when I am painting so that the image will not look distorted.

DRAFTING TABLE
My watercolor paintings are painted on a drafting table that tilts and can be laid flat in order for the watercolor to flow as I want it to.