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
oil painting
Bohemian Green
Left - Pure Bohemian Green Earth mixed with linseed Middle - Pure Holbein Silver White Right - Exact beads of each color mixed together Working with historical colors is consistently challenging, especially when considering the natural green earth pigments. Their characteristics are vastly different in all aspects including handling … [Read more...] about Bohemian Green
Fumed Silica Gel Stays Where You Put It
Left - Fumed Silica Gel mixed with linseed oil Second from Left - Red Iron Oxide mixed with linseed Second from Right - Red Iron Oxide mixed with Fumed Silica Gel Far Right - Fumed Silica Gel dry There are basically two ways to paint with oil paints. One is oil only, and the other is using solvents. These days many people are … [Read more...] about Fumed Silica Gel Stays Where You Put It
Close Ups
This detail shows how the fumed silica gel changes the consistency of the paint. On the left is pigment mixed with linseed oil. On the right is the same paint mixed with about 1/4 part silica gel. The workability of this is just magnificent. It is fluffy and lightweight, has no odor, and stays where you put the brushstroke. It does not level out or … [Read more...] about Close Ups
Hemlock and Lead White
One of the most important events that took place at the very end of the 5th century BCE was the death of Socrates. I wanted to incorporate this into the composition of the painting without actually painting the flowers. The white flowering plant above is the blossom of the hemlock which I replicated across the surface of the focal piece of white … [Read more...] about Hemlock and Lead White
Modern vs. Historic
Shown here are two reds used by contemporary artists. The color on the left is vermilion straight from the tube on the top, mixed with a little white on the bottom. The color on the right is a very modern pigment, cadmium red. As you can see, the vermilion has a slightly more subtle tone to it, whereas, the cadmium is very shockingly bright. To … [Read more...] about Modern vs. Historic