Detail from oil portrait of Roy, by Talya Johnson

I’ve discovered a new love! In general, I consider myself an art supply junky, and have tried many different mediums, brands, and artist gadgets in my pursuit of excellence. In general, though, I find that good paintings come from good painters, regardless of the medium or even technique. Most art supplies are meant to enhance the painting experience, not necessarily make the paintings better. As far as I can tell, there is no product that can make my painting “luminous”, or appear to be lit. But I have found a product that really does help! Rublev Oil Colours are exactly what they say they are…historical pigments ground in linseed oil… and that’s it-simple and very, very real. I was skeptical in trying these-they don’t have anywhere near the saturation that I am used to working with in the synthetic pigments. But what they lack in chroma, they make up in the way they reflect light. Each colour is a bit different. Some are very grainy-you can actually see the little earth particles in the oil. Others are smooth and buttery. Other colors have a certain inherent metallic sheen (subtle, yet beautiful), and others truly seem to sparkle. *Even the “opaque” colors have the tiniest bit of transparency (a good thing in my book). I have found these colours particularly effective for portraiture, where their interactive nature simulates light on flesh beautifully. I have completed two portraits now, using these colours and frankly, I can’t see myself ever going back. Oh sure, I still crave and use the smooth buttery synthetics (Schmincke Mussini brand are a particular favorite, but there are many wonderful brands); but these have taken a different role now in my portrait palette. I see them now as enhancements-supporting roles, as opposed to the lead roles or foundation that I used them before. The effect of the courser earth pigments is not one that can be reproduced in a photograph; you just have to see it in real life. But perhaps these images will give you an idea.

You can find this product at naturalpigments.com and no, I am not affiliated with them in any way. Keep in mind they make their colours in small batches, so they are not always available. Be sure to buy a couple of tubes of the colours you like.

*I have not tried their whites, due to the lead content (I am too messy of a painter to be able to avoid skin contact, and I often sand grounds and parts of my paintings, and not apt to wear a mask).