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
Blue Ribbons
A very faithful reader of this blog brought to my attention that I have not included any information about painting #6. I promised to write a post describing this painting which actually was completed several weeks ago. Shown here is a very small detail of my completed painting based on the Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art Exhibit … [Read more...] about Blue Ribbons
Daily Mantras
As the months have gone by and the work on #6, #7 , #8 has been progressing, I have had a nagging issue with the very first project painting, #1. Last week I made the decision to remedy this. It would only be natural that I would become more and more adept at handling the very different historic pigments, just from the constant daily use. I must … [Read more...] about Daily Mantras
One More Elimination
The experimentation with historic pigments continues to bring unexpected periods of learning and discovery. It is surprising, again and again, how few colors are necessary. During the painting of #8 and #9, the green pigment on my palette was narrowed down to one, vagone because of its good drying qualities. If you will remember the previous color … [Read more...] about One More Elimination
Tar Buckets
"Its use is advised against in every technique, including fresco." These words were spoken by Max Doerner in his book, The Materials of the Artist and their use in Painting, copyright 1934. This book also has "Notes on the techniques of the Old Masters", and is widely used by dinosaurs like me who have insatiable appetites for this type of … [Read more...] about Tar Buckets