Archive for the ‘artists’ tag
Hints and tips of reflecting texture with watercolour
The water colourists skill is truly tested when they need to represent the effects of weathering and the natural textures produced by the ageing of wood, stone and metal. Whether they’re doing a landscape or the background for a pet portrait, texture is a effective way of providing interest in a picture. Subjects such as this allow the artist to improve their handling of the paint. Read the rest of this entry »
The nature of drying oils in artists paint
The oils used by pet portrait artists and others are called drying oils. These are oils based on vegetable matter that, when combined with oxygen, acquire a solid film which is immune to atmospheric pollutants and many solvents. Oils dry out slowly and although the paint film is touch dry inside a few days, it could take a few years for the paint to get completely dry. Read the rest of this entry »
Pigment differences in black and white paints
Artists’ pigments are genuine pigments, unlike dyes, they have physical structure. They come as a fine dry powder, and should be free from impurities. Artists’ paints use pigments derived from many sources, traditionally this used to be naturally occurring stone, earths, metals but over time many have been replaced by man-made materials which provide a more permanent and stable pigment. Read the rest of this entry »
Varnishing an oil painting
Pet portraits in oil can be varnished to provide a protective layer that protects the picture from the atmosphere, it also creates a uniform finish, whether gloss or matt. Over time a varnish will itself be attacked, collecting dust and dirt, sometimes cracking and eventually discolouring. Consequently, any varnish has to be easily removed and replaced by a new layer. Read the rest of this entry »