Several years ago while traveling in the Southwest, we visited Utah's famous Bryce and Zion National Parks. As many of you probably know, the hills there are spectacular colors, glowing with reds and golds in endless varieties. Because I did not want any trouble from those pesky park rangers, I waited until we were outside of the boundaries of the … [Read more...] about Southwest Sienna
Viridian vs. Verona
Often in this blog documentation, I have talked about color saturation. This is very important to anyone using color in any way, no matter the medium. The saturation of a color, paint, or dye, is the intensity of the pigment, meaning how weak or powerful it is. Often, I have mentioned a color having a weak tinting strength, especially the earth … [Read more...] about Viridian vs. Verona
One Month Till Liftoff
Today, May 1, 2007, marks the one month deadline for the beginning of my Lessons from the Low Countries Exhibit. Please mark this on your calendar. Lawrence Gallery 903 NW Davis Portland, Oregon 97209 503-228-1776 June 1 thru June 30, 2007 Opening Reception First Thursday, June 7, 6-9pm I will be sending out announcements via mail and … [Read more...] about One Month Till Liftoff
The Blues
Many of the history books I have read over the past months often give multiple names for one pigment. This is something that has happened over and over again for the historic pigment called SMALT. Ralph Mayer states in his book, The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, it is a kind of cobalt blue glass. As many as 3000 years ago, the … [Read more...] about The Blues
Art Studio-CSI
Countless times over the past months of Lessons from the Low Countries research, I have made splendid discoveries. And, yesterday's was no less so. While reading the Still Lifes: Techniques and Style book where the pronk discovery developed, I found a delightful reference to a relationship between an artist's wealth and pigment use. Pictured … [Read more...] about Art Studio-CSI
De-ja Vu
While reading one of my favorite still life books this week, something very intriguing caught my attention. You have probably had an occasion where you have read something or seen something, and then had a nagging thought that you saw it somewhere, but couldn't put your finger on where or when. The mysterious tidbit I am describing here is a … [Read more...] about De-ja Vu