Proper scale
Scale plays a big part in how I handle a painting. By scale I mean the size of the canvas. A single figure on a 6-foot canvas requires a different treatment than the same figure…
Category: Shop Talk
Alchemist’s alchemy
WHAT WAS THE SECRET OF THE OLD MASTERS? THE ALCHEMISTS KNEW...AND SO SHALL YOU! That bold claim was printed on the (hilarious) instruction sheet tied to the products sold by the Alchemist. The Alchemist no…
St. Charles’ good book
Methods and Materials of Painting of the Great Schools and Masters by Sir Charles Eastlake is the best resource--by far--for information about painting methods and materials. Just like the title states. The older studio traditions…
Robert Doak
I was marveling about how good the sun-thickened oil is that I got from Robert Doak. Like everything I've ever purchased from him, the quality is excellent. I'm not out of the sun-thickened oil yet…
I think no, I mean yes
...but it's all wrong... So the song goes. This is a painting that I turned to the wall for a long time as I tried to work out what was bothering me about it. I…
Turpentine diaries 7/21/19
The first day painting on a new design is always exiting. True, paintings almost never live up to the vision in my mind's eye, but I start every new painting with the same anticipation. I…
Turpentine diaries 7/14/19
In recent days I've spent time preparing new paintings, that is, drawing and finishing designs. However, I did spend some time actually painting. I had several sessions with my most recent painting, Lens. Unfinished 'Lens'…