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
Chiaroscuro and Other Oil Painting Techniques
Chiaroscuro is from the Italian language and the root meaning is chiaro, light, and scuro (obscure), dark. It is a perfect technique to use in oil painting to achieve drama of contrasts such as that used by the 17th Century Dutch. Another technique that helps attain this look is impasto oil painting, which is used freely in the main focus of the composition and then to a lesser degree in the shadow areas. It is very effective in all sizes and subject matter such as oil paintings of flowers, still life, and even landscape. Fumed Silica gel is a great medium to use for getting texture in oil painting. It is a combination of linseed oil and silica mixed together which forms a fluffy clear medium. When mixed with paint, the consistency retains its shape and stays put with no slumping.
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
Painting Mantras
You all know about the dilemma of “can’t do this until I do such and such!” This has been my mantra the last couple of weeks. I am itching to get to my Dutch project but first I must fulfill a couple of previously planned obligations. The first one was a painting/commission for a client. He specifically requested a landscape done on gold leaf on … [Read more...] about Painting Mantras
Chiaroscuro…Lights and Darks
Throughout this past spring and summer I began contacting the Dayton Art Institute to inquire about dates, catalogues, and accomodations. To my delight, not only am I going to Dayton to preview the Rijksmuseum Exhibit, but I have been invited to do a presentation to demonstrate my style of painting which is the Dutch technique of chiaroscuro. My … [Read more...] about Chiaroscuro…Lights and Darks