A DISTANT SOIL 6 Cover

This painting dates back to the 1980’s and doesn’t directly reflect what actually happens in the book. I used it on a cover anyway.

A former publisher insisted I use Dr. Martin’s concentrated watercolors for my work, and the originals they produce are bright and pretty.

Unfortunately, the old Dr. Martin’s formulations tend to fade. Also, many of the paints have flourescent pigments which cause the printed works to look radically different from the originals – the scanner does not see color the same way your eye does. I don’t know anyone who uses Dr Martin’s for illustrations intended for publication anymore. Many still use them for mockups.

(Edit) Newer Dr. Martin’s dyes are lightfast. Alas, I have huge jars of the old stuff. They were given to me by an elderly artist who was retiring and shutting down their studio. I don’t know what to do with the paints! Perhaps I will donate them to a school.