Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

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.

Oil Painting Critiques

by

This past week, I had the pleasure of participating in the Oil Painters of America Critique Program. For the nominal fee of $25.00 (which goes to OPA), artists have the opportunity to have a signature or master level member review their oil paintings and give instructional advice on how they might improve their technique. Because I do not do any … [Read more...] about Oil Painting Critiques

Iron Oxide Pigments, Colors and Uses in Oil Painting

by

George O’Hanlon’s Best Painting Practice Class held in Portland this past weekend was a treasure trove of valuable information.  Much of the information presented was material I have studied over the years since my art quest began, and happily, there were many nuggets presented too.  The topics of materials, techniques, mediums, oil painting … [Read more...] about Iron Oxide Pigments, Colors and Uses in Oil Painting

Composition Juggling

by

Sometimes in the process of working on a painting, things change. Things that seemed perfectly placed just do not come together as planned. If you are lucky this does not happen very often, however for the painting on my easel at this time, I had to juggle some of the objects to make my concept work better. As you can see, I initially placed some … [Read more...] about Composition Juggling

On the Easel

by

Often followers ask about current projects. Though at this time, I have no in-depth project involving an ancient culture or goddess from an ancient world, there are endless pigments, mediums, brushstrokes, or canvas textures to investigate. On my easel right now, is the painting posted here in its early stages of development. Dramatic light is … [Read more...] about On the Easel