Turpentine diaries 1/21/18
I was going to write about some medium-related topics today but I am tired and want to keep this brief. Today’s sessions with Down on Prospect Avenue were filled with pushing and pulling. Not struggling but pounding things into shape: somethings lighter; somethings darker; somethings cooler; somethings warmer–you get the picture (no pun intended). I
Turpentine diaries 1/14/18
I’m using a touch of a new medium today–Grove’s Cole’s varnish. It’s a copal-based varnish, which makes it close–first cousin–to my normal medium. I plan, after more work, to write a review, so I won’t linger over it today. Phone Call on Main Street is close; almost finished.
Turpentine diaries 1/7/18
I worked on Booth at the Fair these past two days. It’s starting to move my way. I can struggle with paintings for a variety of reasons, sometimes technical, sometimes who knows what. This painting hit a groove straightaway and began to slide into place, except I didn’t want it to go that direction. Now, like
Painting nuts and bolts
My homemade palette has provided good service for several years. It has enough room to muck about in, but it’s not so large that it’s difficult to move or clean. I converted the glass-framed reproduction I found at a secondhand shop into an everyday palette by removing the print and then painting the backing a middle
Turpentine diaries 12/31/17
One day in the park at Playhouse Square, I saw a young lady sitting alone and eating her lunch. As usual, I was taking photos and I wanted to take some of her but I didn’t want her to freeze as people sometimes do when they see a camera. So I asked if she would
Turpentine diaries 11/26/17
After flavoring my medium with additions for several days, today I used my normal medium. I worked on this painting during both of today’s sessions. When the painting surface is right, as with this painting, my normal medium is unbeatable. What is a good surface? I like smooth surfaces. ‘Smooth’ means the canvas weave is
Turpentine diaries 11/25/17
Yesterday’s Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful at our house. We had three of our children here to share my wife’s delicious turkey and stuffing. Daughter Jane baked an apple pie, and son Keith made deep-fried mac and cheese. The latter was something I’d never eaten. Everything was excellent and, for once, I didn’t eat too much. This morning
Wonderful sun-thickened oil
I’ve written about my everyday-medium plenty of times. I frequently modify my medium for certain situations. Sometimes, for example, I add a little Venice turpentine to the regular turpentine I use in my medium. I add a very small amount of the sticky Venice turpentine to the medium. Other times, I add a small amount of sun-thickened