Oil Color

Oil-Based Painting Media—Versatile, Rich and Lustrous

When one thinks of oil painting, the first thing that likely comes to mind is an image on stretched canvas.  And, while that is a true image, oils in general offer the creative artist many more options.   In the following paragraphs will be facts to widen the understanding and/or application of art materials involving oil-based substances.

In the spirit of a more complex overview, the first item will be the standard by which most people view oil paints.  Sold in tubes and jars, oil colors have many advantages over other artist media.  Their luminance is unrivaled.  They can be applied to replicate everything from reflective clear glass to stone, wood and soil.  Oils are actually comprised of minerals in a base of highly refined oil and, most often, flow from the brush tip with remarkable ease.  When combined with medium substances (which soften and make creamy the texture of the paints), they are easy to use.

About the only drawbacks to using oil paints are the solvent and chemical contact experienced by the artist and the length of time it takes for an oil painting to completely dry.  While the surface sometimes may seem dry, it can take up to six months for this process.

Alkyd is a type of oil that is often used in thin glazes, applied fairly quickly one over the other.  Alkyds can be mixed with other oil-based artist materials to offer a wider range of application.  Some alkyd paints are weather resistant, which makes them an option when painting surfaces that will be exposed to the elements.  Colors are comprised of minerals suspended in a somewhat flexible resin base.  Ask your retailer for Da Vinci Fast Dry Alkyd Oil, available in a collection of 60 colors, and visit http://www.davincipaints.com/dyn_category.php?k=114368.

Oil sticks are oil paint in stick form. The same pigments and drying agents used in them are found in tube and jar oil color, but they are far more transportable and offer the "on site" artist a huge option for field work. Oil sticks can be combined with other oil media, thus giving them a huge advantage to base sketching, design and layout work beneath an oil painting. Wild colors—even metallics—make oil sticks fun and easy to work with. Thin them with turpentine or other solvents associated with oil painting. Ask your retailer for Shiva Artist Paintstiks from Jack Richeson & Co. and visit www.richesonart.com/products/media/shiva_pntstk/index.html. Oil sticks can be used on canvas, paper and art panels. See Ampersand's Gessobord and artistPANEL—www.ampersandart.com/index.html.

Water-soluble oil paints are those with a base composition that allows the artist to thin and clean with water. The minerals in these paints are combined with linseed or safflower oil for a water-mixable substance. This allows those who are put off by the smell of turpentine or mineral spirit thinners to be able to work in oil. Ask your retailer for water miscible Max Oils from Grumbacher and visit www.grumbacherart.com/products/colors/oils/max/index.html. As with all oil media, canvas is the chosen ground, but others include artist panels, primed Masonite, slate and—with some care—paper.

Oil pastel is very similar to regular chalk-type pastel except the binder in the sticks is oil.  They flow onto the paper/art board with ease and can be mixed for a huge range of color.  They are offered in rich, creamy stick form and in both wild and natural colors.  Works done in oil pastel do not completely dry, so exhibition should be under glass and protected from the elements.

Oil-based art materials have enormous appeal and acceptance by both artists and collectors because of their history, their visual excitement and long life.  Try one of these mediums and see why artists are drawn to oil-based art materials.  See your retailer for the following oil colors:  Da Vinci Oil Color, Grumbacher Pre-tested Oils and Academy Oils, Richeson Oils-The Shiva Series, and Schmincke Mussini Oils and Norma PROFESSIONAL Oils, http://www.schmincke.de/produkte/oelfarben1.html?L=1.

Art Events

Schedules often change, so please confirm events in advance.

Guild American Indian Student Art Show & Sale, Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ
April 2-5

Drawing student artists from across the U.S., this sale offers the opportunity to purchase unique treasures by tomorrow’s master artists.  More than 1,700 traditional and fine art works by students in grades 7-12 will be on display and for sale, from pottery and beadwork to paintings and sculpture—as well as unique contemporary pieces in creative mediums.  Students receive the majority of the proceeds, and additional monies for scholarships and grants are raised through the sale of note cards featuring artwork by students.  602.252.8848. www.heard.org/studentart.

Faberge Egg Hunt, New Orleans Museum of Art, LA
April 9

This annual rite of spring features bunnies, music, spacewalks, entertainers, refreshments and, of course, an egg hunt!  Children are divided by age and no one goes home empty-handed.  Bring your camera or let professional photographers take photos.  Reduced advance ticket prices through April 8; or pay at the door.  Under age 2 are free.  www.noma.org/egghunt.html. 504.658.4121.

MAM Family Festival 2011— Art Gone Wild!, Miami Art Museum, FL
April 9

A special “Second Saturdays are Free for Families,” this nature-themed festival features multiple art activities, entertainment, tours and more—sand art, nature badges, windsocks, FL flora and fauna mural and a live wildlife presentation from the Science Museum.  Free.  education@miamiartmuseum.org, 305.375.5466.

SOFA NEW YORK, 14^th Annual Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair, Park Avenue Armory, NYC
April 14-17

SOFA is a premier gallery-presented art fair focusing on 3-D contemporary artworks.  Included is an acclaimed Lecture Series with prominent scholars, artists and curators (included with paid admission) and a VIP Program of exclusive events tailored to high-profile gallery clients and collector/museum groups.  www.sofaexpo.com, 800.563.7632.

Robert Whitman:  Passport Performance, Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY, and Alexander Kasser Theater, Montclair, NJ
April 16 & 17

Co-commissioned by Dia Art Foundation and Peak Performances at Montclair State, this innovative, non-narrative theater piece includes live performance, video projections, sound, and props in original environments fashioned by the artist.  This new work will be performed simultaneously in two places: outside on the banks of the Hudson River near Dia:Beacon and indoors at the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University. During the performance, images generated at each site will be transmitted to, and projected at, the other performance site—rain or shine. Round-trip coach transportation from Manhattan to Riverfront Park is available for an additional fee:  email nsebastian@diaart.org  or call 212.293.5518.

Egg-ceptional Art, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
April 23

Families can enjoy an egg-citing afternoon of art featuring the mighty egg.  View images of ancient emu egg carvings and intricately adorned Faberge eggs and then create your own egg-cellent artistic papier mache eggs decorated with paint, fabric and beads; and end with an egg hunt in the courtyard.  Fee.  Registration Deadline:  April 15. http://crockerartmuseum.org/images/stories/artstudioclasses/Studio_Spring2011_Registration.pdf, 916.808.7000.

Mother’s Day with Monet, Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City, MO
May 8

Spend Mother’s Day at the Museum!  Water lily displays, live music, tours and hands-on activities make this an affordable and pleasant day for the entire family.  This year’s event celebrates the featured exhibition Monet’s Water Lilies, on view April 9 – Aug. 7.  Programs are free, but some require tickets:  http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/Exhibitions/monet/programs.html, 816.751.1278.

The Art Marketplace

Artool – New Carbon Fiber FX Airbrush Templates by Chris Cruz

The new Carbon Fiber FX airbrush templates from Artool were designed by legendary automotive airbrush artist Chris Cruz.  Instead of enduring many hours of precision airbrushing and taping, you can now quickly and easily reproduce this awesome look on hobby projects, helmets, vehicles, parts, RC cars, planes or wherever your imagination can take you.  With Carbon Fiber FX (Viking FX, Standard Fiber and Mini Fiber), airbrushing is much simpler and efficient and has just the right sharpness.  The best advantage is that you can create a dynamic look with a multitude of color choices in many degrees of contrast in short order!  See your dealer and visit www.artoolproducts.com.

Ceramic Art

Decoration Techniques for Ceramics

The tactile qualities of clay have a nearly therapeutic effect on many who practice the creation of ceramics.  Although it has been determined that fired clay vessels were most likely “discovered” by the accidental placement of a clay jar or bowl too near a fire, the art of ceramics has been a treasured form of artistic expression since before recorded time.  Valued as treasured possessions, clay vessels have carried every type of material from grains to wine and water to oils and ointments.

Decoration of ceramic items became as important as the vessels themselves.  Storytelling and historical documentation can be seen in any museum of antiquities—early man depicted with crude instruments, the art of food gathering and animal hunting.  Romans and Greeks carried the decorative arts to premier heights with their depiction of the lifestyle of their times.  From scenes of everyday life to magnificent tribute scenes and homage to gods, kings and queens…you can see it all on the pottery of any given point in early history.

Ceramicists and potters of today have huge selections of materials from which to choose the exact combination to suit their styles.  Decorations can be done completely by hand or the fast track methods of decals and silkscreened imagery.

The clay ceramicists use often dictates the glazes they use.  If you are using very smooth and slick-surfaced clay such as porcelain, you will want to use very controlled glazes – those that move very little on the surface.  Both original and prepared, ready-to-use glazes are available for not only these smooth surfaces but for rougher, more textured and absorbent clays like stoneware and terra cotta as well.

Glaze colors are created by the use of oxides or previously fired and reground glazes.   Brushes can be used for application as can dipping and pouring.

One really popular method of glaze application is to apply glazes with an airbrush.  These applications give a totally uniform and even coating.  Overglazing with airbrush colorants can offer subtle beauty that can be achieved by no other means.  Base glazes that are airbrushed onto bisque clay can be hand decorated as well.  Signature brushwork sets an artist’s work apart from others and gives him/her the chance to display a variety of artistic talents.

One relatively recent advent in ceramics is the use of stamped designs.  These designs can be original or you can use regular, flat rubber stamp images if you are careful to “roll” the flat design around a curved surface.

Slip trailing is a dynamic and simple way to give low profile texture to a pot.  Slip is discharged through a syringe onto the clay surface, allowed to dry and then fired.  The resulting textures and designs are then glazed in any one of the above methods, revealing the high/low texture of the designs.  Many slip trailed items are exquisitely beautiful or can be more “chunky” in style with slip splashed or poured onto the greenware.

Rollers made of rubber or foam can be used to apply stains to the bisqued, glazed pots.  The pots are then fired for permanency.  Since foam is easy to shape and form, it is a great way to develop a “signature” look to your work.  Simply cut foam shapes, dip into stain or glaze and apply over the unfired, base-glazed pot.  Voila!

Combing through a glaze can be very effective for texture and drama.  Use any instrument to slice away shapes through the glaze to reveal the clay beneath.  Very strong pieces can be created with this method.  Stain can be applied on these areas for extra impact.

One favorite way to glaze is to apply slip colorants onto trimmed greenware; then polish the surface to a smooth luster.  Carving through this satin mat surface can be very dramatic.  Tools used to scribe might include small clay carving tools or needle/pick tools.  The lines must be clean and clear and the slip glaze must be formulated to stay put so the images can be maintained.

All in all, ceramic decoration is often the potter’s favorite step in creating great pottery.  There is such opportunity for experimentation and development of new and exciting results.  Everyone should try pottery for its pleasure, relaxation, creative opportunities and practicality.

See your retailer and visit the American Art Clay Company’s web site at www.amaco.com to view their catalog with an extensive line of products for everyone from professional potters to students—lead-free glazes and underglazes, clays, tools and accessories, pottery wheels, kilns and more.

Ceramics Exhibitions

—Informed by Fire:  Highlights of American Ceramics is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through late June.  In the past three centuries, artists from the U.S. have contributed to this rich ceramic tradition with vibrant, original and intelligent expressions in clay.  Varied forms, surface decoration, use of glaze for color combined with science and skill shows the full breadth of possibilities as demonstrated by this selection of ceramics from the Museum’s collection.

—Poetry in Clay:  Korean Buncheong Ceramics from Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art opens April 7 (through Aug. 14) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.  This exhibition focusing on Buncheong ware, the bold and dynamic ceramic art that flourished in Korea during the 15^th and 16^th centuries, will feature approximately 60 works from the Samsung Museum in Seoul as well as select works by contemporary potters to highlight how this tradition has been revived and transformed.

Art Competitions

Robot Nation:  An Outdoor Installation for the 21^st Century, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA, July 16 – Oct. 31
Deadline:  April 15

Artists and craftspeople working in all media are invited to submit proposals for this exciting summer exhibition of sculptural robots.  Three-dimensional, weatherproof, outdoor robot submissions will be reviewed by a panel of arts professionals and final selections will be exhibited on the grounds of the Museum.  Application form, sketches, concept statements and fee are due by Apr. 15.  Cash awards.  413.931.2278; http://www.nrm.org/category/upcoming-exhibition/

The Great Hudson River Exhibition, Riverside Arts:  Beacon, Beacon, NY, July 9 – Sept. 3
Deadline:  May 31

The mighty Hudson River is to be the theme for all submissions in all media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and mixed media.  Open to all U.S. citizens and presented by the Mill Street Loft, Poughkeepsie, NY, the exhibition will present cash awards and future exhibition opportunities.  845.471.7477; www.millstreetloft.org.

34^th Annual Juried Painting and Sculpture Exhibition for Non-Members, The Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, Aug. 8-19
Deadline:  June 6

Work may be submitted in one medium only:  oils, watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, acrylics, mixed media and sculpture—not a combination of two or more media.  Work done in a class or workshop or under supervision is not eligible.  Cash awards. Send SASE for prospectus:  Non-Members Exhibition, The Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10003 or see www.salmagundi.org.

Airbrush

The World of Airbrushing on Facebook

Facebook is the fastest growing social networking site on the Internet with an incredible 600+ million registered users.  Artists of all types are taking advantage of this massive traffic for a multitude of reasons—generally, to promote and have their artwork seen, but also to learn, to socialize with other artists and perhaps non-artists of like philosophies or just to network in general.  Of these myriad artists, airbrush users worldwide are on Facebook in the thousands. Of course most are attracted to Facebook by the ability to instantly communicate with others, but Facebook is also successful because it is user-friendly.

An individual on Facebook is called a friend, while on a commercial site, such as an online store from a manufacturer, you are called a fan.  To become friends or fans on these sites and to trade hyperlinks, individuals are invited, are recommended by others or find you through searches. Once links are traded you are able to communicate with each other in written, visual or a verbal transfer of information.

Because the airbrush is so diversified in use, there are many people who are interested in airbrushing for a number of different reasons.  And often these friends form clubs or groups or just accumulate massive numbers of friends based on a specific airbrush genre (tattooing, makeup application, painting custom autos or skateboards, glazing ceramics, painting murals or fine art, etc.) or perhaps geography or language as a second common denominator.

The airbrush, as well as compatible materials, might be seen, critiqued, discussed and possibly even purchased as a result of being on Facebook.

In addition, Facebook has an “Events” category where you can announce workshops, art exhibitions, notices of book publications, etc.

Facebook enables you to:

—Find Information:  Those who manufacture airbrushes have Facebook pages with loads of technical and user information about their products.

—Buy Product:  Those who sell airbrushes and related equipment have pages as well.

—Learn:  People who teach airbrush techniques promote their classes on Facebook.

—Show Your Videos:  Along with everything else, you can also tie in YouTube videos.

—Promote Your Artwork:  You can post albums of your artwork for viewing.

If your goal is to promote your artwork professionally, as with all things open to the public domain, caution is advised.  It’s best to use discretion regarding content/images posted and to retain control over who can view, add comments or add images on your page.

All friends and fans are individuals.  Chances are good that you would never in a lifetime have met them through any means other than the Internet.  If you are on Facebook, link up with www.arttalk.com and www.airbrushtalk.com and look for our monthly informational posts that are designed to be passed along to your friends.  See ya on Facebook!

New e-Newsletter – See the FREE new issue of AirbrushTalk at www.airbrushtalk.com.  Read Easy Easter Egg Decorations by Janean Thompson, Dracula’s Coin by Wes Hawkins and Against the Grain—Illustration Effects, Part 2 by Thomas Adams.

ArtPourri

National Medal of Arts Awarded – Ten medalists have been awarded the 2010 National Medal of Arts for their outstanding achievements and support of the arts.  Included was sculptor Mark di Suvero, one of the most prominent American artists to emerge from the Abstract Expressionist era and whose sculptures have appeared in museums and outdoor public settings around the world.

Biennale Partnership Announced – The Indianapolis Museum of Art and artist collaborative Allora & Calzadilla have announced that they will be partnering with national athletic organizations USA Gymnastics and USA Track & Field on three newly commissioned sculptures for the U.S. Pavilion exhibition Gloria at the 54^th Biennale di Venezia.  The pieces will incorporate performances by professional gymnasts and runners at the pavilion during the vernissage (June 1-3)—including Olympic gold medalist Dan O’Brien, Olympic silver medalist Chellsie Memmel and U.S. All-Around champion David Durante.

Auction News – At Swann Galleries’ auction of Industry & Innovation:  A Century of American Prints and 19^th and 20^th Century Prints & Drawings, top lot was Picasso’s rare color linoleum cut, Homme a la fraise, 1962, which sold for a record $144,000.  Modigliani’s drawing of Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Rijinsky, circa 1910, brought $72,000. – On the evening of May 10th, Sotheby’s will offer one of the most important works by Jeff Koons ever to have appeared at auction—Pink Panther, 1988, a porcelain sculpture that is the artist’s proof from an edition of three. It will appear on the covers of the sale catalogue for the spring Contemporary Art Evening Auction in NYC and is estimated to bring $20/30 million.  —Phillips de Pury & Company’s Contemporary Evening sale totaled $4.7 million, with top lot Rudolf Stingel’s Untitled (After Sam) bringing $902,500.

New Postage Stamp Art – Five legendary musicians and performers of the Latin sound have been honored on U.S. postage stamps Latin Legend:  Selena, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz.  Artist Rafael Lopez of San Diego, CA, painted semi-realistic portraits of each musical artist designed to evoke his or her personality, vitality and even sound.  Each is depicted in mid-performance.

Young Architects Program Winners Named – The Museum of Modern Art (NYC) has chosen Interboro Partners of Brooklyn, NY, as the winner of the 12^th annual Young Architects Program in New York.  This program offers emerging architectural talent the opportunity to design and present a highly innovative project for a temporary outdoor installation at MoMA PS1 (Long Island City, NY) that provides shade, seating and water and also addresses environmental issues.  And, for the first international edition of the program, stARTT has been chosen from among five European finalists to create an innovative event space in the National Museum of XXI Century Arts of Rome piazza.  Both installations will open in June.

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Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 21, No. 6 — April 2011