Painting prep
It took all day to trace the cartoon onto the canvas for this painting. The new painting, Sub Rosa, is 44″ x 60″ and has seven figures in it. Read moreCleveland Museum of Art Opens RenovationsAfter finishing the tracing, I lightly sprayed the surface with fixative. I’ll start the painting tomorrow. I worked on the drawing
Studio journal 12/28/16
Euclid Avenue #1 took up my time today. Euclid Avenue #1 is part of the Playhouse Square series. Push-pull. Read moreCleveland Museum of Art Opens RenovationsI’ve disdained synthetic brushes in the past, but I finally found a model that behaves decently: Escoda Primera. The Escoda Primera model, like all synthetics, is rugged. It handles well for a synthetic;
Studio journal 12/26/16
I worked on the 48″ x 48″ oil, Two Cakes. Two Cakes has been long in hand. I really do not like the surface; a commercial canvas by Fredrix. I bought an assortment of Fredrix canvases from a NJ supplier who was going out of business. Even though I got a great deal on the
Studio journal 12/11/16
I thought I was going to finally finish Main Street #1 today but I fell short. I am still not satisfied with the right-most figure. So, I keep working until I’m happy with it. Read moreCleveland Museum of Art Opens RenovationsToday I used walnut oil that I bought from James Groves. Really good stuff–for walnut oil.
In the studio 12/4/16
I worked on 4 paintings today, including the 3 small portraits in this photograph. Recently, I wrote about breaking my palette knife again. My favorite knife is (was) marketed as a painting knife, although I rarely used it for that purpose. But I painted with a knife today. I finished Garth in a Yankees Cap with a
Palette knives
In January, I wrote about breaking my stalwart palette knife. After using the knife daily for years, I really miss it. It was like losing a hand. I have plenty of knives but the one that broke was my favorite. Read moreIn the Studio Oct. 14 2012So I ordered three replacement knives–model Richeson 830 just like
RGH and Blue Ridge oils
Along with Winsor Newton, Blue Ridge and RGH oils get a lot of use on my palette. The categories I use to rate manufacturers in my oil paint brand reference–low-end, mid-range, and high-end–are based on price and quality. While there is a lot of churn in the low-end category, most brands are student-grade and
In the studio 11/22/16
I worked on these three small paintings yesterday. I am trying to keep all three simple. Millie Talking, the painting sitting on the floor, is almost done. There are a few that still needs ‘saying.’ Read moreCleveland Museum of Art Opens RenovationsAccording to my Studio Journal, I notice that I’ve worked on the two landscapes at