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Margret E. Short Fine Arts

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.

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French Prime Time, Egyptian Style

April 16, 2009 by Margret Short

If you are interested in purchasing these splendid canvases go to the French Canvas web site and enter code number 04200905. You will get a 5% discount on your purchase.

The next phase of the project is the priming. After the canvas is totally dry sand lightly to remove the fuzzy fibers that have lifted on the surface of the fabric.

A 7 sanding

Lay the canvas flat and begin the priming process on the back. Once more, remove the staples from the corners. Using a brush apply the primer to the fabric leaving the staples off until later. Cover the remaining surface of the back egdes continuing on to the sides. Allow to dry or place the canvas up on blocks again.

A 8 priming corners

I have chosenRobert Doak’s lead primer for this project. I prefer the lead but there are many other types that are lead-free from other companies such as Daniel Smith. Just look in Blick’s catalog for priming products. This primer is the consistency of thick cream. Using a step down knife, apply the paste across the surface. Be careful to remove any edges or thickness. It should be thin. Two thin coats are much better than one thick one.

A 9 priming start

Continue applying the primer all across the surface so that all linen is covered. I always do two coats, but three will be OK too. Allow to cure for a couple of weeks before use. I will be using this 15×14 canvas for one of the pieces in my Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb project.

A 10 finish priming

Tagged With: ancient Egyptian pigments, Daniel Smith, Dick Blcik, Egyptian pigments, French canvas, Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, linen, Margret E. Short, oil painting, painting, Pharaoh's pigments, priming linen, Robert Doak, step down knife

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.

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Comments

  1. Sue Smith says

    May 24, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Margaret, I ordered these canvases. They came this week and I’m very impressed. I can’t wait to start the priming, which will have to wait for a day when I can really take my time. Thanks for the tutorial, too.

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