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…
materials, Paintings, Shop Talk, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
Turpentine diaries 4/22/18
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•Bio, Uncategorized, Vermilion, OH
Snow on April 17
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•Cleveland, Galleries, materials, Paintings, Shop Talk, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized
Turpentine diaries 4/15/18
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•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…
materials, Shop Talk, Tips and Studies, Uncategorized
Stretching canvas
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•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…
During my last weekly visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art, I saw Eyewitness Views for the fourth time. Eyewitness Views is the best show I’ve seen at the Cleveland museum and one of the best I’ve ever seen. Do yourself a favor and visit the show before it closes 5/20. Canaletto is a marvel. I am writing a review.
Paintings, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized
Turpentine diaries 4/8/18
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•materials, Paintings, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized, Vermilion, OH
Turpentine diaries 4/1/18 Easter
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•This is a photo of two paintings I started today. That is, I started applying paint to the canvases today; drawing started several days ago. So, this shows the underpainting where I’m just covering the surface with paint. Both paintings are 30″ x 40.” I’m still using the Utretcht lead white, their Flemish white. It…
materials, Paintings, Shop Talk, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
Turpentine diaries 3/24/18
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•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…
Cleveland, Paintings, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
Turpentine diaries 3/18/18
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•Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized
Turpentine diaries 3/11/18
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•I caught a cold or some such yesterday and, under its influence, I didn’t write my planned-for post. Today, I am still under the weather but have roused myself to write a few lines. March is my least-favorite month. The first warm days induce Spring fever. Compelled outside by the bright sunshine only to discover…
materials, Paintings, Shop Talk, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
Turpentine diaries 3/4/18
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•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…
Cleveland, Paintings, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries
Turpentine diaries 2/25/18
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•I finished Three Women in Sandals (I know, I know–a lame name. Three Women in Sandals is another painting in my Playhouse Square series. It’s 44″ x 60.” By now, I’ve created a large number of paintings in the Playhouse Square series and I still plan several more. I have not exhausted the subject–far from it.
materials, Reviews, Uncategorized
Review: Groves’ Cole’s Copal Varnish
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•My painting medium consists of oil, essential oil (turpentine), copal varnish, and driers. I like my medium, and it’s suitable for everything painting-wise except a few corner cases. For the corner cases, I add a small amount of this or that, depending on the case. I like my medium, and I’m happy with it, but…
Paintings, Studio Corner, Turpentine diaries, Uncategorized, Vermilion, OH
Turpentine diaries 2/18/20
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•More Playhouse Square work. This one is creatively titled Trip to Playhouse Square. This (still) unfinished painting is 40″ x 50.” I like the size and recently ordered enough stretchers for 9 paintings sizes 40″ x 52″ and 40 x 56.” Yesterday, I walked downtown by the lake and someone nearly hit me with their…