Updates
Another Drawing for Principle
August 27, 2010
Here’s the second drawing done for Principle’s September Drawing Show. It’s on Hannemuhle’s Antique Rose paper, which is very sensitive, a lovely surface to work on, and sucks moisture right out of the air. All the buckling visible in the photo is from humidity. I never touch the paper’s surface when drawing, and was pretty shocked to see the way the paper reacted to the summer weather. I won’t be using the Hannemuhle any more.
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A Drawing for Principle’s September Drawing Show
August 26, 2010
This is nearly finished, entitled Magda, With Rhododendrons. It’s done in graphite, on smooth watercolor paper. I apologize for the photo which is too dark in the light areas and too light in the dark areas.
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New galleries
August 04, 2010
I’ve just begun working with Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA. (website). They received two paintings on Monday, both of which went into the window. and have asked me to do two drawings for a show in September. I’ve been admiring the way Principle operates for a long time, and now that I’ve had a chance to interact with Ali and Michelle I am thrilled to be part of the gallery.
Here’s a shot of my painting Zazalia, in Principle’s front window:
A surprise may be coming in late August too. Too soon to say…
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Three Paintings at Susan Powell’s show
Yeah, so I was running late (as usual) last week and didn’t get to snap photos of the final paintings in Susan’s show. She met me yesterday to drop them off so I could shoot them, and came back later in the evening to pick them up. Susan even offered to pick up some groceries! Very kind of her…
I got to see my friend Sadie Valerie’s work in person for the first time, it’s really excellent and the one Susan used for the announcement is fantastic. You can see Sadie’s work here.
Also, another friend, Vincent Giaranno did an amazing still life of a lobster. His site is here.
Here are the new pieces. Leave a comment if you like them:
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Opening tonight
July 29, 2010
…at Susan Powell Fine Arts. I have three pieces in the show, including my first trompe l’oeil. Pictures to come.
Update: Got to see Sadie Valerie’s great work in person for the first time. Very nice…
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Painting medium recipes | canada balsam
January 06, 2010
Canada Balsam Recipes
There are a lot of people reading this blog every day, and I assume that most are artists or students, especially since I blocked the massive traffic from certain IPs in China. Would anyone be interested in me posting recipes for mediums, gesso, stretching canvas, etc.? If so, please leave a comment.
01/06/10: Here’s one I like that gives a quick-drying, glossy medium:
Ingredients:
1 part copal concentrate
1 part canada balsam
1. Stir copal concentrate into canada balsam until blended
2. Use as is for a painting medium.
3. Dilute with turpentine at a 1:1 ratio of medium to turps.
08/26/10: Another Canada Balsam recipe. This one uses balsam and linseed oil or stand oil, and produces a controllable fusing of color.
Ingredients:
1 part canada balsam
1 part sun-thickened linseed oil or Stand Oil
1. The heavy-bodied oil and balsam produces a clear, straw colored painting and glazing medium which can be safely diluted with turpentine although we prefer to use Lavender Oil of Spike.
2. Stand oil should be substituted for sun thickened linseed oil. It is to be preferred as more permanent.
How to use:
Make your glaze with tubed paints or dry pigments, lay it in with thin layers. Apply it with your fingers or with a rag. This oil is excellent for glazing or for the last, finishing layers. Dries within 30 minutes. Venice turpentine performs somewhat like Canada balsam, dries slower and costs
much less.
08/26/10: A Canada Balsam retouch recipe:
If you want to retouch and achieve a very thin, high gloss finish Canada balsam is perfect.
Ingredients:
1 part canada balsam
2 parts lavender oil of spike or turpentine
1. Combine the two ingredients and stir into solution; warming the mixture in sunshine will help the dispersion.
How to use:
To retouch, lay in a couch of this medium thinly and paint into it while still wet. Dries within 30 minutes to a high gloss. A final coat of picture varnish will equalize any differences in the surface sheen.
08/26/10: Maroger’s recipe:
Double mastic is critical for making Maroger medium. It should be noted that Maroger had many mediums (16±?), and this is just one. His book is available online, although it’s expensive.
Ingredients:
16 parts mastic tears
24 parts turpentine
CAUTION: Do not smoke or expose to this to sparks or open flames. Very bad things can happen.
1. Mastic will not completely dissolve in turpentine unless the two are combined and
heated. Warm them with no exposed flame until the mastic melts, and stir thoroughly
to achieve a complete solution.
2. Allow the varnish to cool overnight.
3. The waxes and organic material will settle out, allowing you to carefully decant the
clear varnish to another container.
How to use:
Mixed Black Oil and Double Mastic in a 1:1 ratio to produce Maroger medium. For a final picture varnish, dilute 1 part Double Mastic with four parts turpentine.
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Sold!
December 02, 2009
Bouguereau Study at Arcadia Gallery
This painting was shown at the Boston International Fine Art Show last month. I didn’t get a chance to see the show, but apparently it was hanging on the outside wall of Arcadia’s booth, facing the show’s entrance. The gallery got a call yesterday from a collector whose wife saw it at the show and “fell in love with it.”
It’s getting shipped out today…
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I’m Too Busy…
November 19, 2009
…to post much these days. But I am planning to post progress shots from one of the new figure paintings I’m working on. The progression will begin at the first step, which, according to Glinda from OZ, is where one should start. I’ve got five new figure pieces in various stages of development, as well as a new endeavor: A portrait! I’ll post some shots of my first one soon, and if anyone wants a portrait, or knows someone who wants a portrait get in touch.
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Stupidity in Art?
September 24, 2009
Can there be such a thing as an art “crutch?” Does using a system to mix color, or measuring to draw accurately mean we are crippling our growth? Can a person use color well before they can draw well? Should an artist avoid using any tool at their disposal to help them make the best art they can?
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In Arcadia’s window!
September 15, 2009
I rarely get a chance to spend solid time with either of my older boys, and to get to have a day with my oldest son while heading to the gallery is my idea of perfect. To get to see my latest in the window just tops it off wonderfully.
Bouguereau Study at Arcadia Gallery