How do I prime a raw linen canvas? This blog will explain priming raw linen and how to oil prime a raw linen canvas. This age-old archival method of priming a canvas for painting in oils creates a smooth surface that far surpasses what is available commercially. If you have... Read More
In this wonderful and informative blog, Stacy Kamin leads us through the very complex theory of shadows when painting light and shadow in the chiaroscuro way of working in oil. In oil painting shadows help create the illusion of dimension. One of the most important techniques is the skill... Read More
How do I guide the viewer's eye through a painting? How do I control soft and hard edges? When does the brain rest on a hard edge and travel over the soft edges in a painting? The use of edges in painting is the subject of this blog. How... Read More
What is Sherrie McGraw's teaching philosophy? How should a student pick an art teacher? How does an art student get better? Stacy states “This blog will explain Sherrie McGraw’s teaching philosophy. She is one of the best teachers that I have studied with, in part because she is patient and very generous with... Read More
This blog will explain the Golden Mean, Golden Ratio and Golden Section. These terms all refer to the same phenomenon. They reflect a regularly occurring proportional ratio in nature that can be included in your art to achieve effective composition. The Golden Section is a mathematical ratio commonly found in nature, which is the... Read More
What are Planes? How do I see planes? In this blog you will heighten your art education by learning how to see planes. Students often can't decipher separate planes on a subject, which weakens the structural strength of their work. It is important to be aware of planes and to see them... Read More
Glazing and Scumbling in Oil Painting David A Leffel What is glazing in painting? What is scumbling in painting? When do artists use glazing in the oil painting process? When is it appropriate to use the process of scumbling? Enhancing an oil painting with the use of glazing is a useful tool. Understanding... Read More
Sennelier makes a wonderful pastel card in some lovely colors—a range of warm browns and ivory. I use vine charcoal initially and add contè—both white and red—to capture the illusion of the subject. The surface is relatively delicate and cannot have any liquid applied to the surface. But you... Read More
Sherries' Studio Wall Color Formula I have had so many requests for the color on my studio walls, that I decided to post the formula here. At one time, there was a standard color that worked, but not any longer. I had a local paint store do a custom mix,... Read More
How do I clean oil paint out of my brushes? Improper washing of your oil painting brushes is not only harmful to the brushes, it also becomes very costly in the long run. So often students have trouble cleaning paint out of the metal ferrule of the brush, which can... Read More
