In the studio 7/25/15
I've spent a lot of time this week drawing--preparing large paintings that have complicated designs. This morning I pulled out some smaller pieces to do some actual painting. The upper painting, titled Girl in a White Blouse,…
Category: materials
In the studio 7/12/15
It's really overcast today and the studio lights affect tones. It's either the studio lights or a flash, which would be worse, so the photo isn't very good. Picnic is 40" x 56." It's oil over…
Review: Charvin Fine Oils
I bought some cerulean blue from Charvin. Actually, Charvin doesn't produce a true cerulean blue but something they call 'cerulean blue hue.' Charvin produces two lines of paints: Fine, and Extra Fine. This review is…
In the studio 6/14/15
I had two more painting sessions on Washington Square. I finally got the pigeons in there (can you see all 7 of them*?). Washington Square has a hole in the middle which is supposedly a no-no.…
In the studio 5/3/15
I build paintings slowly. I spend a considerable amount of time on the drawing before touching a brush. Once painting starts, I try to work as efficiently as possible. It doesn't always work out--so much…
In the studio 4/19/15
I showed Sunday Parade once before when I probably should not have--it was too raw. It's overcast today and the studio lights (even my 'natural light' lamps) wash-out the colors, but I think you can get a…
What is mineral spirits
What is mineral spirits and how is it used in oil painting? Mineral spirits, or white spirits, is a petroleum-derived solvent. It is distilled from crude oil, and is related to kerosene. Mineral spirits and paint thinner are…
Oil of spike lavender
Someone recently asked about "oil of lavender." Oil of spike is an essential oil distilled from lavender flowers. It has been used in oil painting for hundreds of years. Of the three most commonly used solvents, oil…