Canvas prep
I always want a supply of large canvases available to me. I've learned that the only canvases that satisfy my perfectionist side are the canvases I make myself. I've tried many commercial canvases and none…
Category: materials
Is there something wrong with stand oil?
After reading some of my disparaging remarks about stand oil, a reader asked me if there was something wrong with stand oil. The short answer is no, there is nothing wrong with stand oil. The…
A lot of paint
While reconfiguring my studio shop, I emptied the contents of my paint cabinet onto my work table. My son saw the table and exclaimed, "Wow, that's a lot of paint!" I hadn't noticed what he…
What I have been up to
Not only haven't I posted much lately, I haven't painted either. But I have been busy. I've spent the last couple of weeks drawing and completing painting designs. Normally, when I finish the design for…
Review: Tombow lead pencils
I'm in a drawing period; I haven't touched a brush for three weeks. The drawings serve as designs for paintings, not standalone drawings. The paintings are my typical size, 40" x 54." So, I've used…
Drawing tablets
A reader asked if I use a drawing tablet. Before I answer that question, let's talk about what a drawing table is for those who might not be familiar with the technology. There are three…
Starting a painting
Everyone knows how to start a painting, right? You take up your brush and begin--what's the problem? Joking aside, if you want to create a sketch or study, that IS exactly how you start. That…
Premixing tones
Artists spend a lot of time thinking about their palettes; how many colors, which colors, how big, and so forth. My palette is too large to hold in my hand so I keep it on…