Last week I read a story about - no kidding - the 850 year old skeleton of a woman whose teeth were recently examined alongside other specimens in the same cemetery in Germany. According to the story in the journal Science Advances, scientists like to poke around in very old dental skeletal calculus to find evidence of food, bacteria, and … [Read more...] about Lapis Lazuli Pigment Discovery: You’ll Never Guess Where
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.
Harvest Moon Gladiolas – Thanks to Neil Young
Recently, I stumbled upon a luscious piece of floral fabric that I just could not resist purchasing. I knew it would be a terrific prop for a painting one day. Sometimes it is very worthwhile to ramble aimlessly through a market just to see what captures your eye. When I saw the pattern on this cloth, I instantly knew it was something very special … [Read more...] about Harvest Moon Gladiolas – Thanks to Neil Young
Earth’s Pigments & Beauty: Sometimes a Dangerous Combination
While at a recent First Thursday in Portland, I talked at length with Kay McGraw, wife of one of the gallery owners. She brought up a topic I hadn't thought of since writing about it in my post All for Beauty in 2006: historical pigments used in women's makeup throughout the ages. The Innocuous Colors Now mind you, some colors are perfectly … [Read more...] about Earth’s Pigments & Beauty: Sometimes a Dangerous Combination
Camouflaged – The Final Unveiling
Camouflage Pigments Like You've Never Seen Before As promised, the final piece in the Indigenous Naturals Pigment Project, is revealed: Camouflage Modello, Oil on Linen 6x8. The previously-mentioned twist is disclosed and oh my - is it an interesting twist! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that researching historical pigments would have … [Read more...] about Camouflaged – The Final Unveiling
Learning from a Master Oil Painter: Johannes Vermeer
As you know, faithful readers, painting copies of masterworks has long been a favorite learning technique for me. Over the past 40 plus years, I have painted many including Rembrandt's The Polish Rider and Vermeer's Girl in the Red Hat both of which hang in my foyer. I have painted a number of other Rembrandts, a Franz Hals, and so many others I … [Read more...] about Learning from a Master Oil Painter: Johannes Vermeer
How to Paint Lilacs: Modern vs. Historical Pigments
Last week, after deciding to paint some true beauties of the season (lilacs from my back yard), I faced a dilemma - which pigment should I use: modern or historical? As you know, I love using the natural pigments but sometimes there is no easy choice. In the historical/natural pigment world there are no rich brilliant purples available - with the … [Read more...] about How to Paint Lilacs: Modern vs. Historical Pigments