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…
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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…
Playhouse Square I
I am working on the drawings for my new series--Playhouse Square--which I wrote about earlier. The series is based on photographs I've taken of Cleveland's Playhouse Square. I wrote before about how I planned to…
In the studio 4/12/15
I had another painting session with Graduation Day this morning, primarily on the pig-tailed girl. I spent a lot of time on her hands and the key chain she's holding. I'm starting to like the…
Applying an oil ground
I am preparing a bunch of canvases just now--six size 40" x 50", and six size 36" x 48." Typically, I apply 2-3 coats of acrylic gesso over 2 coats of GAC 100. I might drop the GAC.…
In the studio 4/5/15
I got some painting time this Easter morning with Washington Square. The under-painting is finished except for the figures behind and to the right of the white-shirted foreground figure. I finally(!) like the background beyond…
In the studio 3/29/15
The under-painting for Woman in Purple Boots is finished. This means that everything has a layer of paint--darks, lights, and local colors. The last time I showed this in a 'Studio Corner' post it was still…
In the studio 3/22/15
I don't think I've shown this painting--Sunday Parade--before. According to my studio journal, today's painting session is the fifth. It was too raw. Still is, really. The underpainting isn't finished; but it's far enough along…