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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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…
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…
Playhouse Square
I started a series of paintings early in the winter called Playhouse Square. Each painting in the series portrays the area around Cleveland's Playhouse Square and the people going about their Square-related business. I am amassing photographs…
Knot-riddled stretcher strips
Art supplies are absurdly expensive. Artists have to pay Cadillac and boutique prices regardless of the quality of the goods, which varies widely. What's worse is the cynicism of manufacturers. You can buy 'genuine copal varnish'…
Red paint everywhere
I wrote before about my genius for getting oil paint on my clothing--much to the chagrin of my long-suffering wife. It's almost always red paint, usually cadmiums--heavy metal paint. I arrange my palette with the…
