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.

Arsenic in the Stew

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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

Oil Change

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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

One Down, Many to Go

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This detail is from the first completed painting in the new Part ll project which shows both versions of malachite. Impasto paint was floated onto the surface of the jar in the focal areas. Across the table is a golden cloth which is used as a perfect foil for the bluish green of the jar setting it off nicely. According to Francois Delamare and … [Read more...] about One Down, Many to Go

Rublev and Zecchi Walked into a Bar….

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Rublev malachite, from Natural Pigments, is shown on the left.  Zecchi malachite scuro (dark), from Zecchi's Art Supply in Florence, Italy is on the right. Both dry pigments are ground in linseed oil. I have been hoarding the Zecchi color since I bought it in Florence in 2003. It is darker and richer than most other products and was invaluable in … [Read more...] about Rublev and Zecchi Walked into a Bar….

Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, Part Two

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Announcing Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two  Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena, in March 2011. More intriguing myths, Gods, Goddesses, symbols, tombs, temples and stories from Ancient Egypt featuring pigments and new paintings. With only a few exceptions, all paintings in this new series will be created using pigments used by Egyptian … [Read more...] about Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, Part Two