In the studio 8/9/15
This is the first time I’ve shown Break. Break is 40″ x 50″ and I’ve had four painting sessions. Break is another of my Playhouse Square series. The painting in…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…