This detail of one of the finished Part ll Project paintings shows how the vizier's paintbox might have looked in his studio. The colors in the box, red iron oxide, malachite, yellow, and black were all used in my painting just has he most likely would have used. Writings below the box are on papyrus. … [Read more...] about From the Vizier’s Studio
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.
The Vizier’s Paints
Paint Box of Vizier Amenemope Egypt, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (1540-1296 BC), Reign of Amenhotep II, c. 1427-1401 BC. Boxwood with inscription inlaid in Egyptian blue, 3.6 x 2.2 x 21.0 cm. © The Cleveland Museum of Art Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1914.680 Image Courtesy of Cleveland Museum of Art. This … [Read more...] about The Vizier’s Paints
When I Grow Up, I Want to Be an Art Forger
Now I do not aspire to go underground or "non-legit" with my painting techniques, but art forgery is quite a fascinating topic. One of the best ploys Eric Hebborn suggests is to purchase an artistically worthless old painting, say, from an antique shop or art auction. Wood panel or canvas, each would be naturally aged and seasoned, ready to scrape, … [Read more...] about When I Grow Up, I Want to Be an Art Forger
Arsenic in the Stew
Orpiment, shown above in its natural form and also pigment form, was widely used in Egypt during and after the 18th dynasty, about 1500 BC. During this period the very progressive and successful female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, was in power. It is thought that she initiated trade with other countries and the use of orpiment began because of her. Because … [Read more...] about Arsenic in the Stew
Malachite in the Raw
While at the Smithsonian Museum this past March, I found many examples of pigments as they are found in nature. This chunk shows the beautiful greens of malachite with true blue veins of azurite. Coming in March 2011 Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part ll, Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena … [Read more...] about Malachite in the Raw
Oil Change
As I said in the previous post, the Egyptian artists mixed pigment with egg or acacia sap which is also known a gum arabic. Both are binders for a water based paint. Another binder for water based paint is acrylic or egg yolk or even sometimes the whole egg. Often egg is used as a binder in oil painting also. The equivalent to this in oil … [Read more...] about Oil Change