As I have mentioned in previous posts, many pigments were really nasty and very poisonous. Two yellows, called orpiment and realgar, both made by alchemy, are extremely poisonous and for this reason have gone out of use. Other pigments were poor driers or not permanent and thus lost popularity. So the list narrowed, and it is now published … [Read more...] about All for Beauty
Sea Snail Masterpiece
Since embarking on this project, I have researched many publications with specific information about pigments and their history. Much is known today about pigments of the past because of scholars such as those in the Rembrandt Research Project (RRP). This committee set about to discover and determine which of Rembrandt's paintings were authentic … [Read more...] about Sea Snail Masterpiece
Dutch History
Many people have asked me about The Golden Age in 17th Century Netherlands. How did it happen? What is the history? In order to truly understand why artists and other craftsmen flourished during this period, it is important to view the previous one hundred years. The prosperous Northern provinces of 17th Century Netherlands became Protestant … [Read more...] about Dutch History
Blue Lazuli
Who would have known this Dutch project would be so much work! You can just imagine, prior to the invention of the paint tube, the amount of preparation that was involved before even putting one stroke of paint on the canvas each day. Before tin tubes were manufactured in the 19th century artists ground the paint every day or two and put the … [Read more...] about Blue Lazuli
The Daily Grind
All the supplies necessary for the paint making project have been gathered on the workroom counter. Hotplate, double boiler, linseed oil, and beeswax beads. I have decided to use wax in some paint and not in others. If a "long" almost runny paint is desired, the use of wax is limited. To get a "short" buttery paint then more wax should be used. To … [Read more...] about The Daily Grind
Petrignano La Sera
By request from many of you, here is the image of the painting done on gold leaf mentioned in the previous posting. It is titled Petrignano La Sera, 15x17. I did not want to post the image before the client could see the painting. He picked it up today and was very pleased with the results. I enjoyed this project so much I will do many more on gold … [Read more...] about Petrignano La Sera