Preparing a canvas surface for oil painting
This is a companion to my canvas stretching post. After you stretch a perfectly taut and square canvas, you’re ready to prepare the surface. Our goal is threefold: protect the canvas protect the paint create a perfect surface Why do we have to protect the canvas? Oil is acidic, so if you paint directly on
Turpentine diaries 4/22/18
I hoped to finish the underpainting on Crossing but, as you can see in the accompanying photo, I ran out of gas. The initial stage for a painting of this size, 40″ x 50″, is about getting paint on the canvas. By the time I start painting, the design is complete. But change is natural.
Turpentine diaries 4/15/18
Last week, I saw one of the better shows that I’ve seen in Cleveland. Global Matrix IV at the Gallery at Cleveland State U contains first-rate prints from contemporary European artists. I plan to review the show later this week after I visit it one more time. Along 4th Street is poking along (ahem), although
Stretching canvas
While it’s true that I didn’t learn anything about painting at art school, it isn’t true that I didn’t learn anything at all. I learned a lot about printmaking, and I learned how to stretch canvases. That canvas-stretching skill has stood me in good stead. I can’t think of a single instance when the technique
Turpentine diaries 3/24/18
I am using Utrecht flake white these past several days. I like it. It has good covering strength and it’s decently priced. While I like RGH better, RGH prices keep creeping higher. Plus, a recently-purchased tube of raw umber is an oily mess. The tube leaks oil and the oil spreads like a small lake
Turpentine diaries 3/4/18
The one thing I dislike about my current studio is that it doesn’t have north-facing windows. The direct, late afternoon light makes taking photos a challenge. I took a photo of Trip to Playhouse Square, but the photo had so much surface noise I couldn’t share it. After a good session yesterday, I was able
Turpentine diaries 1/28/18
I’ve written several times about the oil paint manufacturer RGH. No, I don’t have a relationship with them, it’s just that I use their product a lot. Their flake white is my current go-to white. They also sometimes send me free paint when I order from them, such as the jar of blue ochre on
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