Who could have guessed one of the most helpful and instructional guides for this project would be a cunning art forger? While examining one of my favorite art book's bibliography (the best feature of any book!), the title, The Art Forger's Handbook jumped off the page. Eric Hebborn wrote about his artistic skills describing ingenious deceptions, … [Read more...] about Chicanery
Margret's Blog
Arsenic in the Stew
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
Malachite in the Raw
While at the Smithsonian Museum this past March, I found many examples of pigments as they are found in nature. This chunk shows the beautiful greens of malachite with true blue veins of azurite. Coming in March 2011 Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part ll, Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena … [Read more...] about Malachite in the Raw
Oil Change
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 More Done
Painting #2 for the Lessons from the Pharaoh Part ll exhibit is now complete also, a small detail shown here. Because of the expense of malachite, and because there was a large enough pile of paint remaining, I used it again here in the vase of this second painting. It would be a terrible waste to let it dry up on my palette. Usually, if there … [Read more...] about One More Done
One Down, Many to Go
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