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.

Monks Seeing Red

by

24 x 30 tulip 72 at 6 red scarf 

Very early manuscripts document both the manufacture and use of vermilion. Some called this indispensable color the prince of reds which was more brilliant than the natural cinnabar. Theophilus (Roger of Helmarshausen)the Benedictine Monk, described the alchemical synthesis in his technical handbook De diversis artibus (On Divers Arts c.1122).

Sulfur and mercury, which have been sealed together in a pot, are buried in blazing coals. The Monk states, "you hear a crashing noise inside as the mercury unites with the blazing sulfur." This was a relatively new technique during the 12th century but became commonplace towards 1300 to 1400.

Source: Bright Earth by Philip Ball

Chiaroscuro Painting

Oil painting with the chiaroscuro technique illuminates the focus area with a strong light. All other areas are painted with less detail, lower values, and intensity of color giving a mysterious appearance. By putting one or two objects in the important focus area, a strong but simple composition will emerge. Combining these oil painting techniques with a selection of superior natural pigments and oil paints result in the beautiful and evocative quality known as Chiaroscuro Painting.