Johnny Patramanis came to us LIVE from Greece on Friday, June 24th to talk about his palette and watercolor techniques. Here’s a brief Q&A with Johnny:

Why do you make art? 

How was this painting created? That question made me an artist. The struggle and frustration of creating a painting. I just enjoy the process.

How long have you been painting – did you have formal training? 

I started drawing/painting in 2010, but professionally since 2019. I studied Visual and Applied Arts at the University of Western Macedonia and I completed my studies in Fine Arts.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist? 

I’m a professional artist.

Who inspires you – have you had a mentor? 

I like to study the work of the old masters – they got me into painting, and they keep me going. George Politis has helped me a lot in my career.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?

I like to listen to rock and metal music while I work.

Do you paint every day?

I try to, but now and then I like to take small breaks just to clear my head.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?

I prefer to work on one piece at a time.

Do you prefer painting in studio or en plein air?

I would call myself a studio painter, but I’ll not refuse a plein air opportunity.

Which core colors do you use?

These are the five colors that I always use:  Burnt Sienna Light, Pyrrol Scarlet, Shadow Violet, Piemontite Genuine and Lavender, but every painting is different, so I like to experiment with many color combinations and choices.

Tubes, pans or sticks?

I prefer tubes.

How do you know when your piece is finished?

For me, when I think that my painting is finished, I leave it aside for a couple hours, or even days, and then look at it with fresh eyes. If I find something that I can improve, I continue.

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Join us online each week for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with Daniel Smith CEO and Owner, John Cogley and guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays, John highlights various features of our products and answers your questions. On Fridays, a guest artist follows up to share how they incorporate those features into their art.

Check our Facebook page for news about upcoming guest artists or to watch past replays. Each Zoom meeting is also recorded and shared on our YouTube channel. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.