Readers have asked why I don’t have a review of Geneva brand oils in my Oil Paint reference. The short answer is that I haven’t used their oils. The longer answer is a little more complicated; I have no intention of trying this brand. I know. I’m someone who has repeatedly claimed to be ready…
Category: materials
Artists, Drawings, materials, Shop Talk, Tips and Studies, Turpentine diaries
Sketchbooks
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•I keep sketchbooks and doddle-books. Sketchbooks are for quick sketches where freshness and directness are important. Sketches can be simple or elaborate. Aaron Blaise is a good artists who has some YouTube videos about his sketchbooks and why he keeps them. If you are an artist or art student, keep a sketchbook. I also keep…
materials, Paintings, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
Turp? OMS?
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•There is a lot of confusion among artists about turpentine and mineral spirits. Some YouTubers promote Gamasol as an alternative to turpentine. One even recommends Gamsol as a natural substitute for mineral spirits.(?) This particular artist provides commercial seminars on oil painting! Turpentine is distilled from the naturally-occurring resin from fir trees. It’s been used…
Cleveland, materials, Paintings, Shop Talk, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
New series–4th Street
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•The two series that have preoccupied me over the past several years are still moving along. One of them, Playhouse Square, I started deliberately. After launching the series, I continued to take photographs in the target area for some time. The other series, Along Main Street, just happened. Many paintings in both series are finished,…
anecdotes, materials, Shop Talk, Turpentine diaries
Doak’s canvas
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•How to, materials, Paintings, Studio Corner, Tips and Studies, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized
Oil of Cloves
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•How to, materials, Shop Talk, Tips and Studies, Turpentine diaries
How to–grounds
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•Most artists do not know how to prepare grounds for oil painting. I know this is true because none of my teachers were able to prepare acceptable grounds, and none of the commercially-prepared canvases that I’ve used have been acceptable. This is even true for vendors who claim the highest expertise. A bold statement maybe…
Grumpy review, materials, Reviews, Shop Talk, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized
RGH vs Utrecht
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•A reader asks wether I prefer Utrecht flake white or RGH’s. To answer the question directly: I prefer Utrecht (barely). Utrecht covers better and has more body. To demonstrate this, I share a simple side-by-side comparison. (Note: I currently have some of RGH’s extra fine white. The extra-fine paint is ground in safflower oil, which…