Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

Margret's Blog

Postcards from Giza

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As some of you know Dave and I just spent 2 splendid weeks on a Discovering Egypt tour where we both made many heretofore unknown discoveries of a beautiful country. The ancient history is overwhelming. Here we are in Giza Plateau at the site of the Great Pyramids. The breathtaking structures were proclaimed by the Greeks to be among the Seven … [Read more...] about Postcards from Giza

Priming Canvases Part #2

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Several readers asked more questions about the steps following the rabbit skin glue application during the process of priming linen. After the glue has dried, usually 24 hours is a good bet, I sand the surface of the linen very lightly with a fine grit sandpaper block. If you run the palm of your hand over the surface, you will feel the … [Read more...] about Priming Canvases Part #2

Even Sargent Scraped

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Many many of you commented on my technique of scraping back unsatisfactory passages in a painting in progress which was a common practice of painters such as John Singer Sargent and others. Pictured here are two scrapers from Dick Blick that I find irreplaceable tools in my studio, and I employ them often. … [Read more...] about Even Sargent Scraped

Sizing Canvases

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Many supports are suitable for oil painting including cotton canvas, linen canvas, wood panels, and copper. All are centuries old techniques and still used today by many artists. I use mostly linen, wood panel, and copper, but primed paper, gator board, and many others are popular also. Just go to the painting support … [Read more...] about Sizing Canvases