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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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vermilion

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

A Basilisk and a Rooster Walked into a Bar

November 23, 2013 by Margret Short

basilisk sketch

Many of the quirkiest stories I have told have been right here in this blog during my Lessons from the Low Countries series.  Remember the one about the red haired man and the basilisk? If you recall, a basilisk is the legendary reptile, hatched by a serpent (or toad, depending on the source) from a rooster’s egg, and is so revolting, if it gazes … [Read more...] about A Basilisk and a Rooster Walked into a Bar

Tagged With: cinnabar, historical pigments, Margret Short, oil painting, painting, pigment project, pigments, vermilion

Meeting of the Minds

July 15, 2012 by Margret Short

photograph of Margret short

On July 9th on Artists Mentors Online, I listened to the captivating discussion with Michael Harding and Tony Pro. Mr. Harding talked about the making of his line of paints and how he became interested in this topic. There were intelligent questions asked by artists via email and telephone. As you know, one of my favorite pigments is natural … [Read more...] about Meeting of the Minds

Tagged With: cinnabar, genuine vermilion, hand-ground oil paints, historical pigments, Karyn Harding, Michael Harding, Michael Harding paints, Muse Art and Design, oil paints, Peter Rossing, vermilion

Flowers for Keely’s Hair

December 4, 2011 by Margret Short

classic fine art still life painting of dogwood flowers

Flowers for Keely's Hair 8x8  Oil on Linen Panel © Margret E. Short 2011, OPA. AWA   … [Read more...] about Flowers for Keely’s Hair

Tagged With: Floral, jazz singer series, oil painting, vermilion

Cinnabar

September 6, 2011 by Margret Short

close up of flower oil painting

  My favorite red pigment used by ancient Greeks is cinnabar. It was a perfect hue to use on these poppies. I used burnt umber and madder for the shadow tones, and heightened the lights with yellow ochre and white. A very similar hue can be attained by using vermilion, a much more intense in color. Just calm the heat with a nice earthy … [Read more...] about Cinnabar

Tagged With: ancient Greek pigments, burnt umber, cinnabar, madder, vermilion

Postcards from My Studio

August 16, 2011 by Margret Short

red paint on table with pallet knife

Vermilion   Lapis from Zecchi's. I have been hoarding this pigment since 2003.   Yellow ochre, lapis, vermilion … [Read more...] about Postcards from My Studio

Tagged With: images of pigments, lapis, oil painting, oil paints, vermilion, Zecchi's art supply

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