Almost Edible 10"x 9" Oil on Linen By Margret Short, 2007 This is one of the first paintings I finished after settling into our small apartment. The linen canvases from Italian Art Store are of splendid quality. They special order this product through an outside independent supplier that does a terrific job. Priming my own canvases is … [Read more...] about Almost Edible
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.
An Endless Conclusion
June 30, 2007 As the project ended, I looked back at all that had been accomplished. The year since I learned of the splendid exhibit, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art, was filled with research, discoveries, experiments- both failed and successful, new acquaintances, travel, frustrations, and elation. Most importantly, I have a wonderful … [Read more...] about An Endless Conclusion
Smalt Fears No More
I can't thank Dr. Kremer from Kremer Pigments enough for taking the time to respond to my blog post about Smalt. His expertise and knowledge is completely invaluable to me in my research for my Lessons from the Low Countries project. The information about smalt, in particular, is most helpful as I have been reluctant to use it at all. There is … [Read more...] about Smalt Fears No More
Veronese vs. Viridian the Sequel
Dr. Georg Kremer from Kremer pigments took the time to read my blog and wrote several comments, and I was quite honored. It is enormously helpful and educational to get information from an expert such as Dr. Kremer. He made a very interesting observation about my color tests on viridian and Veronese green from a couple of weeks ago. Even … [Read more...] about Veronese vs. Viridian the Sequel
Seeing Red
The color tests here are a perfect way to portray the differences between the modern pigments and the historic. On the left is the historic vermilion, pure above and mixed with white below. On the right is the modern pigment, cadmium red, pure on the top and mixed with white below. The intensity of the two colors is immediately apparent. The … [Read more...] about Seeing Red
Very Vermilion
Back in October of 2006 while viewing the Rembrandt exhibit at the Dayton Art Institute, I knew in an instant this one must be used as a source painting for one in my Lessons from the Low Countries series. The anticipation of using this masterpiece was heightened because of the brilliant and varied pigment possibilities. After seeing this small … [Read more...] about Very Vermilion