Many people have asked me about The Golden Age in 17th Century Netherlands. How did it happen? What is the history? In order to truly understand why artists and other craftsmen flourished during this period, it is important to view the previous one hundred years. The prosperous Northern provinces of 17th Century Netherlands became Protestant … [Read more...] about Dutch History
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.
Blue Lazuli
Who would have known this Dutch project would be so much work! You can just imagine, prior to the invention of the paint tube, the amount of preparation that was involved before even putting one stroke of paint on the canvas each day. Before tin tubes were manufactured in the 19th century artists ground the paint every day or two and put the … [Read more...] about Blue Lazuli
The Daily Grind
All the supplies necessary for the paint making project have been gathered on the workroom counter. Hotplate, double boiler, linseed oil, and beeswax beads. I have decided to use wax in some paint and not in others. If a "long" almost runny paint is desired, the use of wax is limited. To get a "short" buttery paint then more wax should be used. To … [Read more...] about The Daily Grind
Kremer Pigments
Zecchi’s Pigments
Perplexing Pigments
Well, my mind has been spinning with thoughts of pigments and the process of grinding paints. Many many times over the years I have made paints but never on this broad scale using solely pigments from a certain period, like this one, the 17th Century. After speaking with the Conservation Department at the National Gallery last week, I know great … [Read more...] about Perplexing Pigments