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
Gold and Silver Leaf Paintings
Oil Painting on gold leaf or silver leaf panels has been used by artists for centuries. Many of the altar pieces and icons in churches around the world have a leaf substrate which makes a stunning glow to the oil painting itself. It is a sound practice used frequently today. The gold and silver leaf is easily applied to panels and even canvas.
Cannon Beach Arts Fest
Scorching temperatures are predicted for this coming weekend, but you can beat the heat on the splendid Oregon Coast at the Cannon Beach Art Fest. Plein Air and More is a city wide event and all the galleries will be participating with artists all around town and on the beach doing and talking about their art. I will be at the Bronze Coast … [Read more...] about Cannon Beach Arts Fest
All That Glitters – Oil on Gold Leaf
It's been a while since doing anything on gold leaf, and it was quite fun to get back into this medium. This technique is really much easier than it seems, and the trick really is not to put very much paint on the surface. Let the gold leaf itself shine and be the star performer. Remember the adage, less is more. I did not put any paint at all in … [Read more...] about All That Glitters – Oil on Gold Leaf
Randy Higbee 6″ Squared Exhibition and Sale
Randy Higbee Gallery is hosting the fifth annual 6"Squared Exhibition and Sale Through December 31, 2014 See images, exhibit, and purchase information here … [Read more...] about Randy Higbee 6″ Squared Exhibition and Sale
Into the Soup
Experiments were made using several different brands of powdered gold leaf, but I settled on the Schmincke. This pigment is super fine, rich in color, and mixes easily into a paint by combining the powder with just a little of whatever medium you are working with on your project. I used the Strasbourg medium that I have been using all along on this … [Read more...] about Into the Soup
Atmosphere on the Easel
This is another example of background transparency/translucency that suggests a lot of atmosphere. The brass is glowing through the paint strokes, but it's not too busy either. Black and burnt umber worked well here. Above is a detail of one of the gold leaf paintings. The gold was such a beauitiful passage that it was left unpainted … [Read more...] about Atmosphere on the Easel