• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
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.

  • Home
  • About
    • Margret E Short Bio
    • Resumé
    • Artist’s Statement
    • Artist Resources
    • The Lessons Series
    • Oregon Honor
  • Commission
  • Prints
  • Events
  • Galleries
  • Projects
    • Quintessential Blue
    • Iso-LACE-tion: A Thirty Day Painting Project
    • Indigenous Naturals Project
    • Lessons from the Spider Woman
    • Girl Jazz Singers
    • Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, Part 1
    • Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, Part 2
    • Lessons from the Low Countries
    • Greek Pigment Project
  • Contact
  • Blog

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

An Exquisite Touch of History – William Merritt Chase

February 23, 2014 by Margret Short

painting entitled a friendly call

The re-known artist/teacher and fellow Salmagundi Club member, William Merritt Chase, once said, "Painting is the Most Magnificent Profession." Though he was born at the middle of the 1800s and died in 1916, he and I are kindred spirits in this belief. There is nothing more enjoyable than observing a splendid sunset and recording it on canvas, or … [Read more...] about An Exquisite Touch of History – William Merritt Chase

Tagged With: historical pigments, Margret E. Short, oil painting

Final Results – Stack White Process – Part lV

December 21, 2013 by Margret Short

Coils of lead with flakes formed

Stack pots after two weeks of corroding. The smell of acetic acid (vinegar) is still present inside the stack shed, but not as sharp as it was initially. The temperature within the compost heap is raising, but on the surface it is still at ambient temperatures. Flakes have formed on the lead coils. The relative humidity inside the shed is nearly … [Read more...] about Final Results – Stack White Process – Part lV

Tagged With: colors, historical pigments, Margret E. Short, Margret Short, oil painting, painting, paintings, Pigment, pigment project, pigments, stack lead white, stack white pigment

On the Easel

December 8, 2013 by Margret Short

lighting photography studio set up of a scene to make a painting

Often followers ask about current projects. Though at this time, I have no in-depth project involving an ancient culture or goddess from an ancient world, there are endless pigments, mediums, brushstrokes, or canvas textures to investigate. On my easel right now, is the painting posted here in its early stages of development. Dramatic light is … [Read more...] about On the Easel

Tagged With: burnt umber, cinnabar, colors, historical pigments, madder, Margret E. Short, Margret Short, Minerals, oil painting, painting, paintings, pigments

Stack White Process – Part lll

December 8, 2013 by Margret Short

Lead coils in pots for stack lead white

In the next step of the lead white making process, specially made earthenware pots were arranged and then filled about one-third with vinegar. You will notice a variety of pot colors which indicate varying amounts of lead inserted into certain pots which were processed differently.  The rolled lead coils were then placed into the pots. Some pots … [Read more...] about Stack White Process – Part lll

Tagged With: historical pigments, Margret E. Short, Margret Short, oil painting, painting, paintings, pigments, stack flake lead white, stack lead white

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Sign up for Margret’s Newsletter

Join Margret while she explores imagery and pigments used since 3500 BC!

Email Address:

Recent Blogs

Doing the Mazurka with Emma Sandys

Adelaide Labille-Guiard; Folkdancing Backwards

The Queen of Capri Waltzed Backwards in Button Boots: Sophie Gengembre Anderson

Dancing the Rigaudon Backwards: Rachel Ruysch

Dancing Backwards with Elisabetta Sirani: 1638-1665

[More Blog Posts]

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Looking for Something Special?

© 2006 - © 2025 Margret E Short, all rights reserved