The next step after stretching the linen over the bars is to prepare the glue sizing. Rabbit skin glue comes in a crystal form and looks somewhat like cream of wheat. This is truly one of the historic materials and techniques and has been used for centuries. The crystals are soaked overnight in water and then heated in a double boiler where the … [Read more...] about Glue Sizing
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.
Preparing the Supports
There are several supports which can be used for painting with oil. Canvas, wood panel, copper are some. For this project I will use only linen canvas and panels made of birch. Here I am stretching raw, unprimed linen over sturdy stretcher bars. Making sure there is enough to pull around the bar, I staple the back side securely, but not too … [Read more...] about Preparing the Supports
Modern Versus Historic
In my research of historic pigments thus far, I have come to this conclusion. The main difference between the modern day pigments and those of the 17th century is particle size. Modern paint makers use technology which enables them to grind paints to a uniform smooth consistency. The grinding techniques or the synthetic process by which paints are … [Read more...] about Modern Versus Historic
All for Beauty
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
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