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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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    • Backwards and in Heels, Part II
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painting

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

Joker in the Tulip Bed

October 28, 2019 by Margret Short

Classical Still life Oil Painting in Chiaroscuro style using Old Master Technique to paint a vase full of tulips

When I first developed my Lessons from the Low Countries pigment project in 2006 / 07, I became completely in awe of the many glorious attributes of the tulip. Since then, I have utilized this workhorse flower for many compositions. The reasons for this are simple: it is one of the most breathtakingly splendid flowers in the world and … [Read more...] about Joker in the Tulip Bed

Tagged With: oil, painting, tulips

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

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

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Recent Blogs

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