Recap. One painting from seven artists was chosen. I echoed the palette from each painting as I painted my style in my composition. All seven are now unveiled and posted in the order the blogs were initially presented. Keep in mind, the colors from print to print and on the Internet are not identical to real life images. And they also differ from … [Read more...] about Finished Images Unveiled
Pigments: Historical and Modern
There is a distinct difference between modern day pigments and the natural pigments used prior to the middle of the 1700s. In the past, artists had apprentices who ground the colors for them throughout the oil painting sessions. Because they were made by hand, the pigments retained a natural grittiness and consistency with larger particle size. Today's oil paint manufacturers make synthetic colors in huge vats where the end result is exceptional smoothness. Prior to the middle of the 1700, natural pigments came from dirt, minerals, and even plants.
Dancing the Quadrille Backwards with Lilly Martin Spencer
Out of all seven women featured in this series, Angelique Marie Lilly Martin Spencer was unique for her outstanding and magical upbringing. Born in England in 1822 to French highly educated parents, Lilly was encouraged to pursue her artistic path at an early age and had the added benefit of a home-school education. The family relocated often first … [Read more...] about Dancing the Quadrille Backwards with Lilly Martin Spencer
Doing the Minuet Backwards in the Peat Bogs of Norway with Christine Kitty Lange Kielland
One of the most inspiring facets of doing research for my Lessons Projects over the years, is the discovery of the unknown. For my first pigment exploration, I learned about colors available to and used by the 17th Century Dutch Masters. Then came the Golden Age of Greek Art in the 5th Century BCE. After that the Native Americans of the Southwest … [Read more...] about Doing the Minuet Backwards in the Peat Bogs of Norway with Christine Kitty Lange Kielland
Doing the Mazurka with Emma Sandys
Like Elisabetta Sirani, the first featured woman artist in this series, Emma Sandys had a tragically short life. When she died at age 34 of respiratory illness, her death was announced in a simple notice rather than true obituary or a celebration illustrating her artistic accomplishments. Norwich, England was her birth city where she lived and … [Read more...] about Doing the Mazurka with Emma Sandys
Adelaide Labille-Guiard; Folkdancing Backwards
Adelaide Labille came from a more modest background than the previous three women featured in this series. In spite of this, she rose to fame and became known as the greatest women pastel portraitist next to Rosalba Carriera. What is noteworthy to me, is even though many women artists rise in fame during their lifetime, their prominence fades over … [Read more...] about Adelaide Labille-Guiard; Folkdancing Backwards
Dancing the Rigaudon Backwards: Rachel Ruysch
Unlike the previous featured artist, Elisabetta Sirani, Rachel Ruysch lived a long and fruitful 86 years. It’s no wonder her passion for art developed early with a penchant for natural marvels like flowers, butterflies, lizards, and other creatures because she was raised the daughter of a physician/anatomist and botanist, Frederik Ruysch. Fortune … [Read more...] about Dancing the Rigaudon Backwards: Rachel Ruysch