Left - Fumed Silica Gel mixed with linseed oil Second from Left - Red Iron Oxide mixed with linseed Second from Right - Red Iron Oxide mixed with Fumed Silica Gel Far Right - Fumed Silica Gel dry There are basically two ways to paint with oil paints. One is oil only, and the other is using solvents. These days many people are … [Read more...] about Fumed Silica Gel Stays Where You Put It
Close Ups
This detail shows how the fumed silica gel changes the consistency of the paint. On the left is pigment mixed with linseed oil. On the right is the same paint mixed with about 1/4 part silica gel. The workability of this is just magnificent. It is fluffy and lightweight, has no odor, and stays where you put the brushstroke. It does not level out or … [Read more...] about Close Ups
Strasbourg Medium
Robert Massey's Canada balsam and sun thickened oil medium recipe resembles closely the legendary but no longer available, olio d'Abezzo. Strasbourg Medium Canada balsam, 4 parts, sun thickened linseed oil, 1 part, turpentine, 2 parts. Combine and warm the ingredients either in hot sunshine or over a double boiler, and stir them until they … [Read more...] about Strasbourg Medium
Hemlock and Lead White
One of the most important events that took place at the very end of the 5th century BCE was the death of Socrates. I wanted to incorporate this into the composition of the painting without actually painting the flowers. The white flowering plant above is the blossom of the hemlock which I replicated across the surface of the focal piece of white … [Read more...] about Hemlock and Lead White
Naturally Red
Shown below is my favorite red, cinnabar. It is a pigment found as a mineral in nature and can have a wide variety of hues from bright fire red to a more subtle coral red. The principle property is mercury. It can have striations of opal, quartz, calcite and other minerals. According to Anita Albus in her book, Art of Arts, it is a Greek word, … [Read more...] about Naturally Red
A Discriminating Palette
Greek painters, especially those from the 5th century BCE, were remarkably skilled and created many hundreds of vases and other paintings. The many varieties of surfaces include terracotta plaques, walls, ceilings, panels, wood, marble, ivory, leather, parchment, and ceramic slabs. They used some of the most beautiful natural and synthetic pigments … [Read more...] about A Discriminating Palette