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).
Tali's an Alaskan artist and graphic designer. She's influenced by the light, color and brushwork of the impressionists; as well as the depth, luminosity and draftsmanship of the old masters and academic artists. Her works can be found in numerous private collections throughout the globe. Her original paintings and giclee prints are available at Artic Rose Gallery in Anchorage, Alaska. Talya paints from her home studio in Wasilla, Alaska.
Subscribe to entries
Subscribe to comments
All content © 2012 by Forget-Me-Not Fine Art, Portraiture, and Design by Talya Johnson
These paintings are absolutely beautiful! I just gazed at them for the longest time. You do beautiful work!
I just nominated you for the sunshine award. Just go to my blog to receive it.
Alison
Thank you Beth, that means so much.
Thanks Alison, I had a lot of fun finding others to nominate.
How beautiful….they glow!
Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
I use WordPress and I love it!
Thank you
These paintings are filled with emotions. Great job!
I have been considering trying Rublev Oil natural pigments colors for the last few weeks.
Would you mind sharing what colors did you buy or used from Rublev Oil Colors? Did you get a set? which one? or did you buy individual colors? and which ones?
Rublev colors are very expensive, and I would like to know what colors you used for portraits before I take then plunge.
Regards,
Abraham
I’ve tried a few different Rublev tube colors, and have mixed a couple too from the natural pigments themselves. The ones that I like best for portrait work are the lemon ocher, venetian red, violet hematite, vine black, and nicosia green. I mixed my own Lazurite. But I think any combination of earth yellow, red, green, and black (for blue) would work. The colors are VERY different than regular oil colors and take a while to get used to their working properties. Most artists seem to either love them or hate them. I usually will add some walnut oil to them and sometimes a little Dorland’s Wax medium (to stiffen them up a little for impaso work as well as keep an even sheen), or the Rublev impasto medium (not as stiff, but fatter than the wax), or even Weber Res n gel (a very light buttery medium) alway adhering to the fat over lean rule. I paint on primed birch boards or hardbords, so the heavier paints don’t bother me. For my final layers I start adding glazes of Schmincke Mussini colors (a limited assortment of transparent red, yellow, blue, and green). I work wet into wet as much as I can, but if my paint starts to dry on the board, I let it be for a few days before oiling it out and finishing up. Hope this helps!
Outstanding paintings. Your hue and temperature variation is something I am working to incorporate into my own portraits, and I have not yet succeeded.
I am a big fan of Rublev paints too. I do use the lead paints, and they are outstanding. I also have a problem with messiness, but the use of lead on my palette has forced me to clean up my act, and I am a much neater painter in general now. I used to have cadmium all over me all the time; now I stay pretty clean.
Great paintings! – L.Lawrence
WOW! I love them! The sparkle in the blonde hair is incredible!! It really looks as if the sun is bouncing off the strands of hair! Little Miss Sunshine, well what can I say? I am just in awe of you and your ability. I am definitely going to try my hand at the oils. Your work is so very inspiring!! I just can’t get over how wonderful these paintings are!! I fell in love with “Sammy in Blue” the instant I saw it and now I feel the same about these as well. I don’t think you can paint a “bad” painting, LOL!! Carry on Tali,