A myriad of glitches during our recent aborted Romance of the Rhine river cruise resulted in an an unexpected side trip to Amsterdam. Not wanting to spend the day, yet again, on a long boring bus ride after the boat broke down, Dave and I threw up our hands in protest, got directions to the train station, and bought 2 tickets for the Fast Train to … [Read more...] about The People’s Museum
Rembrandt the Artist
Caravaggio, an Italian artist, first developed the Chiaroscuro painting technique during the late 1500s. Later the Dutch perfected this style and it became their own. Rembrandt is known for his beautifully executed portraits, landscapes, and still life oil paintings in the Chiaroscuro technique and remains the master today.
Hals vs. Rembrandt
The Company of Captain Reinier Reael and Lieutenant Cornelis Michielsz Blaeuw, Amsterdam. 82 inches by 168 inches, 1582, Frans Hals. Across the Rijksmuseum's gallery from The Night Watch is another huge militia style painting by Frans Hals, shown above, that, to my taste, is not nearly as captivating as Rembrandt's. Hals work does not … [Read more...] about Hals vs. Rembrandt
How to Find Your Style
After years of observation Egyptologists who specialize in the study of Egyptian art gain great insights into the style and techniques of ancient artisans. Some have been able to determine paintings done by particular artists, especially the artwork done in tombs. This sounds absolutely logical that certain strokes of a brush or specific colors are … [Read more...] about How to Find Your Style
The Cupbearer’s Habiliments
Isaac Blessing Jacob by Govert Flinck Inspiration for The Cupbearer's Habiliments painting #4 Lessons from the Low Countries Exhibit Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon June 1 through 30, 2007 Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art Images, by special permission, The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands … [Read more...] about The Cupbearer’s Habiliments
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
Grisaille Magic
This project is taking on a life of its own. Good progress today! After a visit to Lawrence Gallery, they have enthusiastically agreed to show my body of work as an exhibit next May along with the opening of the Dutch Exhibit at the Portland Museum. Also, I have worked out the logistics of the demo in Dayton. To expedite matters I remembered a … [Read more...] about Grisaille Magic