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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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colors

A Gem of a Color

April 4, 2023 by Margret Short

As, promised, the first ludicrously small sneak peek in the blue pigment project is revealed. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Blue! This pigment has a compelling history and is known for its clear blue beauty. A fabled mountainous vision of a cross-armed sleeping woman identifies the area near Globe, Arizona where the mines are located. Good and … [Read more...] about A Gem of a Color

Tagged With: colors, Oil Paints. Blue pigment, Realistic artist, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Turquoise mines

The Joys of Red – And a Special Announcement!

March 3, 2022 by Margret Short

It is an undeniable fact that colors can be felt. Blue is cool and icy and should never be painted on bathroom walls lest we feel cold while indisposed. The soothing warm light of yellow draws us to a cushioned window seat with a good book when the sun pours through. Green is crisp and lush and beckons a walk in the park in an April rain. Royalty … [Read more...] about The Joys of Red – And a Special Announcement!

Tagged With: alizarin crimson, American Artist's Professional league members exhibit, cadimum red, carmine, colors, Deruta Delivery, first prize, Margret E. Short, Margret Short, natural cinnabar, oil painting, painting, Pigment, pigment project, red, red iron oxide, vermilion

The Discriminating Palette of Sexy Beets

February 22, 2022 by Margret Short

dutch style painting of grand bouquet of colorful flowers on table draped with fabrics by Margret short

While reading a very colorful article this morning, I thought about my painting, Dutch Treat, shown below. The article, entitled "Sensational Color, Sexy Beets", from Color Expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color describes the love/hate relationship people have with beets. Some find them totally unpalatable, including Former President Obama, who … [Read more...] about The Discriminating Palette of Sexy Beets

Tagged With: alizarin, beets, chocolate, colors, Duncan Hines, Dutch, food, Going Dutch, Margret Short, Mesopotamia, painting, pigments, recipes, Thebes, vegetables

Ancient Egyptian Color Gets a New Life

December 23, 2017 by Margret Short

Large floral arrangement dutch style still life painting entitled Cleopatra's Garden by Margret Short

Besides making paints, now there is a newly found use for the ancient pigment, Egyptian Blue Frit. This pigment, made by heating a mixture of copper, quartz, sand, lime, and an alkali, dates from 3250 BCE and was used to decorate tombs, statues, coffins, and temple walls in Egypt during the long reign of the Pharaohs. Who Knew Pigments Could Be … [Read more...] about Ancient Egyptian Color Gets a New Life

Tagged With: ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, colors, Egypt, Egyptian blue, Egyptian blue frit, Egyptian pigments, historical pigments

Oil Painting Critiques

June 2, 2014 by Margret Short

detail of red flower painted howing impasto and brushstrokes

This past week, I had the pleasure of participating in the Oil Painters of America Critique Program. For the nominal fee of $25.00 (which goes to OPA), artists have the opportunity to have a signature or master level member review their oil paintings and give instructional advice on how they might improve their technique. Because I do not do any … [Read more...] about Oil Painting Critiques

Tagged With: cinnabar, colors, historical pigments, Lessons from the Low Countries, Minerals Metals and Dirt

Iron Oxide Pigments, Colors and Uses in Oil Painting

March 19, 2014 by Margret Short

Ercolano Red raw paint pigment

George O’Hanlon’s Best Painting Practice Class held in Portland this past weekend was a treasure trove of valuable information.  Much of the information presented was material I have studied over the years since my art quest began, and happily, there were many nuggets presented too.  The topics of materials, techniques, mediums, oil painting … [Read more...] about Iron Oxide Pigments, Colors and Uses in Oil Painting

Tagged With: colors, historical pigments, Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Margret E. Short, Margret Short, oil painting, painting, paintings

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