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…
Category: Tips and Studies
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…
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.…
Linseed or walnut?
Linseed oil or walnut oil? Linseed oil has always been more widely used, but walnut oil has its defenders--sometimes passionate defenders. Leonardo was one such. Walnut oil yellows less than linseed oil, but it's relative.…
Two similar-themed paintings revisited
I've posted about this before--working on two paintings with the same theme simultaneously. These are two paintings of my son Keith in the studio standing in front of a painting of himself. I hope you…
Stand by your drawing
Whenever someone asks me what is the most important thing about art, my answer is unequivocal: DRAWING! Many artists don't like this answer. It's easy to attack straw men when it comes to drawing, or…