The color blue is the incontestable darling of the pigment world. Ask just about anybody their favorite color, and the answer far and above will be...blue! And it's everywhere, both in nature and the man-made world. The sky, distant mountains, blueberries, clouds, crashing ocean waves, walls in our homes, sapphires, jewelry, forget-me-nots, blue … [Read more...] about The Hidden Marvels of Blue
Natural Pigments
Nicosia Green Earth
Left - Pure Nicosia Green Earth mixed with Linseed Middle - Holbein Silver White Right - Exact beads of each color mixed together Nicosia Green Earth has many differing properties than Bohemian. This one has far lower saturation qualities. As you can see, mixing the same size bead together resulted in a much more pastel tone. This is a … [Read more...] about Nicosia Green Earth
All That Glitters is Gold Leaf
A couple of weeks ago a regular reader commented she would like to have more information about the various supports on which oil painting can be done. Pictured here are supplies needed for painting on gold leaf which is a splendid ground to work on. Most common is gessoed wood panels for leafing, but I experimented with canvas with great success. A … [Read more...] about All That Glitters is Gold Leaf
Comparisons
top left: flake white + vermilion Robert Doak (tube) top right: cinnabar Monte Amiata Italy Sinopia + flake white (dry pigment with linseed) bottom left: flake white + vermilion Rublev Natural Pigments (dry pigment with linseed) bottom right: cinnabar Rublev Natural Pigments + flake … [Read more...] about Comparisons