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.

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.

It’s All Greek

by

Quite unexpectedly and yet happily, a new pigment project has come my way. Some months ago, a client came to me with a request to paint a commission with the theme of 5th century BCE Greece. Specifically, he wants the focus to be black/red figure vase painting that  was in its apogee at about 480-430 BCE. Again, I have delved head first … [Read more...] about It’s All Greek

Gifts from the Nubians

by

Gifts from the Nubians ©Margret E. Short, 2011, OPA. AWA,     10x8 Oil on Panel  Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two Nubia, located just south of Egypt on the Nile River, is known as the Kingdom of Kush and the Land of Gold. Because Egypt had no gold, they were dependent upon the Nubians for this precious … [Read more...] about Gifts from the Nubians

Vizier’s Habiliments

by

Vizier’s Habiliments © Margret E. Short 2011, OPA. AWA  Oil on Linen 9x10 Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena This painting depicts the various habiliments Vizier Amenemope might use while relaxing during his favorite pastime (painting) while not advising the Pharaoh. Shown next to the red jar, is the … [Read more...] about Vizier’s Habiliments

Nefertiti’s Garland

by

Nefertiti's Garland ©Margret E. Short, OPA, AWA,   12x5 Oil on Panel Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two Queen Nefertiti’s image of elegant beauty is instantly recognizable around the world. She lived on the east bank of the Nile with her six daughters and the Pharaoh, Akhenaten. They reigned during the eighteenth … [Read more...] about Nefertiti’s Garland

Kom Ombo

by

Kom Ombo 8x10   Oil on Gold Leaf © Margret E. Short 2011 Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two It seems perfectly fitting to use gold leaf as a base support for the ancient Egyptian pigment project paintings, especially considering so many antiquities are made of precious metals such as gold. First I applied twenty three carat gold … [Read more...] about Kom Ombo