Turpentine diaries 4/15/18
Last week, I saw one of the better shows that I’ve seen in Cleveland. Global Matrix IV at the Gallery at Cleveland State U contains first-rate prints from contemporary European artists. I plan to review the show later this week after I visit it one more time. Along 4th Street is poking along (ahem), although
Stretching canvas
While it’s true that I didn’t learn anything about painting at art school, it isn’t true that I didn’t learn anything at all. I learned a lot about printmaking, and I learned how to stretch canvases. That canvas-stretching skill has stood me in good stead. I can’t think of a single instance when the technique
Turpentine diaries 4/1/18 Easter
This is a photo of two paintings I started today. That is, I started applying paint to the canvases today; drawing started several days ago. So, this shows the underpainting where I’m just covering the surface with paint. Both paintings are 30″ x 40.” I’m still using the Utretcht lead white, their Flemish white. It
Turpentine diaries 3/24/18
I am using Utrecht flake white these past several days. I like it. It has good covering strength and it’s decently priced. While I like RGH better, RGH prices keep creeping higher. Plus, a recently-purchased tube of raw umber is an oily mess. The tube leaks oil and the oil spreads like a small lake
Turpentine diaries 3/4/18
The one thing I dislike about my current studio is that it doesn’t have north-facing windows. The direct, late afternoon light makes taking photos a challenge. I took a photo of Trip to Playhouse Square, but the photo had so much surface noise I couldn’t share it. After a good session yesterday, I was able
Review: Groves’ Cole’s Copal Varnish
My painting medium consists of oil, essential oil (turpentine), copal varnish, and driers. I like my medium, and it’s suitable for everything painting-wise except a few corner cases. For the corner cases, I add a small amount of this or that, depending on the case. I like my medium, and I’m happy with it, but
Turpentine diaries 2/11/18
This unfinished painting, Lunch Alone is 32″ x 46,” is part of the Playhouse Square series. I like my medium a lot but I’m always willing to try new things, especially when they come from James Groves. I’ve written before about how much I like his products, copal varnish, and Courtrai drier. In yesterday’s session,
Turpentine diaries 1/28/18
I’ve written several times about the oil paint manufacturer RGH. No, I don’t have a relationship with them, it’s just that I use their product a lot. Their flake white is my current go-to white. They also sometimes send me free paint when I order from them, such as the jar of blue ochre on