News

 

Different drying rates occur in oil paints because each individual pigment reacts diffently when mixed with the oil. Typically, oil paint is pigment mixed with linseed oil which actually oxidizes rather than evaporates.

Examples of fast drying oil paints ( approximately 2 days) are as follows:

Cobalt blue, Prussian blue, Raw Sienna, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber and Flake White

Examples of medium drying oil paints (approximately 5-6 days) are as follows:

All Cobalt violets, and greens, Sap green, Cerulean blue.

Examples of slow drying oil paints ( approximately 6-10 days) are as follows:

Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Lamp Black, Ivory Black, Titanuim white, Cadmium colours.

Marcus Gooding

 

It is important to prep a canvas primarily for two reasons:

To tone down the harsh white canvas to a neutral colour which allows the artist to better ascertain the effect of the light and dark areas of the subject matter.

The neutral colour, preferably a mix of yellow ochre and payne’s grey, thinned out with turpentine assists with making the work feel natural.

Marcus Gooding

When sketching portraits of any kind (people or pets), viewing the image through a mirror from time to time will expose errors.
Sketching upside down is always a good way to get over an area of difficulty. Turn the image and the support upside down. In fact, many artists do this as a warm up before beginning a project. This exercise stimulates the use of the right side (the creative side) of the brain.
After sketching, but before you begin to paint or shade, always remember to identify your light source and look for your areas of tone (highlights, medium areas, shadow edges, cast shadows and reflected light areas). Make sure you understand how the light is affecting your subject/s.

Marsha Bhagwansingh