Mixing paint on the palette
I never use a palette knife on my palette. To mix a tone, I plunge my brush into the paints and use the brush to mix what I need. For example, on this nearly-fresh palette, I dipped my brush into the cobalt blue–the second blue from the bottom right–and used my brush to mix it
Naphtha
I’ve written before about the difference between paint thinner and OMS (spoiler: they’re just different names for the same thing). I’ve also written about the turpentine that I routinely use. Why haven’t I written about Naphtha? I use Naphtha to clean etching plates but for painting, I use it less frequently than the other top
Review: Maimeri Puro oil paint
I got my tube of Maimeri Puro Naples yellow with my last paint purchase. All paints purchased that day were unrated on my oil paint reference. I’ve used this brand before and put it on the list but I hadn’t used it enough to rate it. I’m not sure why I haven’t used it before.
Review: Bob Ross oil paint
Bob Ross oils are low-end. Cheap. Their intended audience is people inspired by Bob Ross to try their hand at painting. I bought a tube of Ross Indian yellow as part of a recent purchase of paints that I intend to review, shown here. Bob Ross oils do not have their pigments listed on the
Oil paint brands update
To update my oil paint brands review and reference, I bought some paints that I don’t normally use. I have never used Cranfield or Bob Ross. I list Maimeri Puro and Richeson in my reference but I haven’t used them enough to rate them. This purchase allows me to correct that. I previously rated M.
Painting flesh
Artists find painting people and portraits difficult. Even artists who can paint complicated landscapes without too much difficulty stumble when they attempt people. Why? Part of the answer is the uncanny valley. The uncanny valley refers to the mechanisms people have for recognizing other humans. It turns out that these complicated mechanisms are difficult to
New paint order from Blue Ridge
The more I use Blue Ridge oils, the more I like them. I continue to use their flake white, of course, but I’m enjoying their entire lineup. My recent small order contains colors I use all the time, cerulean blue and permanent crimson, and others I’m testing–terra rosa and cobalt teal. Earth colors like terra
Leaded oil completed
I began my latest batch of leaded linseed oil on July 27, 2021–38 days ago. I protected the oil from debris with a cover. I gently rocked the tray periodically to prevent surface skin. When I checked the oil today, it was thick and sluggish which means it’s ready to decant and store. Forgetting to