White Oil Paint Pigments; A White Is A White Is A White...What's The Difference?

Are all white oil paints basically the same?

Nope! There are even variations between brands of whites with the same name as well as similarities between whites of differing names! Over the next few weeks it is my goal to research, pick apart and reassemble this subject. I intend to distill this down to something clear and understandable.

White Oil Painting Pigments
There are essentially three main white pigments that are widely available: Lead White, Titanium White, and Zinc White. Either an individual pigment or a mixture of more than one pigment is combined with a vehicle, such as linseed oil, to make paint. Some companies may add fillers, extenders or dryers as well.

Oil Paint Ingredients
Knowing the properties of these pigments can help determine which white to choose for a specific task. It is important to know which pigment is contained in a tube of white before purchasing it. Believe it or not, a paint called “titanium white” may contain more than the pigment titanium dioxide!  This can be a problem when one wants the most opaque non-toxic white.  If zinc oxide is the additional pigment, this "titanium white" will not only be less opaque, but will also dry more slowly. 

In subsequent posts I will dissect the whites further to clear up the muddle within brands and between brands.

"Untitled"

This is the first painting that was completed in the current series:

Untitled

Oil on Canvas

48x42x1.5"

Untitled (detail)

 

Work in Progress 3

Work in Progress 2

 

Work in Progress 1 (detail)

 

 Work in Progress 1

Please post your thoughts by clicking 'comments' below.

My Painting Process, New Work 1

The painting below is a work in progress with the working title "Jump." Although I began the painting nearly a year ago, I am just getting back to completing it in the last month.

(A Work in Progress)

Oil On Canvas

30x24x3/4"

Click Image For Larger View

This photo above was taken after a painting session nearly 2 weeks ago.

Below are a few shots of the progression from more recent to least recent.

With notes to myself about value range.

How it has been sitting for most of the past year.

Please post your opinion by clicking 'comments, below.'

"A Night to Remember"

This is a painting from the current series:

"A Night to Remember"

Oil on Canvas
8x32x1"

Click Image For Larger View

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Lesson of the Century: Am I Being True to My Self? Part 2

Continued from Part 1: Am I Being True to My Self?

All of these qualifiers or adjectives that we use to describe ourselves or allow ourselves to be described by are just ideas. They are extremely relative and can change from moment to moment and person to person. One person may consider my art to be brilliant and another may consider it to be horrid and not to even be considered 'art.' If I can accept that my art is all the adjectives imaginable, both all at once and never, I can be open to any reaction. In this way I could find benefit in considering a point of view different than my own. If, on the other hand, I am attached to the idea that all my art is great, I will not be able to learn and grow from the work that is not-so-great. A valid criticism that could help me would undoubtedly go unheeded.

Through my practice of detaching from ‘being’ a painter and all of the judgments about the work, I actually become freer. If I am less caught up in what others might think, it is more likely I will take more risks in the work and discover more than I ever imagined possible. Both in my art and in myself. In this example, being true to myself is painting authentically. For me that means I might not ever paint a vase of flowers. I love flowers. They are exquisitely beautiful, but I just don’t see myself painting them. 

If the person who created this, um, outdoor installation (see photos) was self- conscious about this piece, they may not have created it and I would not have smiled as I passed by today.  Some may call it art, others may call it hideous,
I just kinda like it...

Please post your thoughts by clicking 'comments' below.

Lesson of the Century

As I learn and grow, I realize there is yet more to grow and learn.  Certain life lessons re-emerge and come around again and again until they are finally transcended. I have many, but one that is under all of them is, "Am I being true to my Self?"   For me it truly is the lesson of the century.  One thing I am learning is that being true to ones Self is not selfish it is Self-full.  It is moving beyond the limitations that the mind, the ego, or the small self puts on us and discovering our true nature or true Self.

After a lesson with my spiritual teacher  I wrote this question on my hand with indelible ink as a friendly reminder.   In this way I can remember and remember and remember.  The art in the photo is detail from a large work in progress which has the general theme of letting go of things that no longer serve us.   These 'things" are in many forms:  such as physical stuff,  ideas,  emotions,  personality,  roles,  habits....   It seems that the problem is not really with these things,  it is with our relationship to them.  For example, when we actually believe we are our personality traits,  we can be devastated when something comes up in our lives that questions that view!  Therefore letting go is recognizing that all these things are tools that are appropriate some of the time but not all of the time.  This letting go is what some call being detached or non-attached.

In my personal story, if I believe the sentence "I am a good painter," then I am attached and this does not serve me well.  There is no room for anything else.  The minute someone criticizes my work, I will be crushed.  I may question my choice to paint and may even fall prey to artist's block or some other destructive activity.  If I practice detaching and recognizing that painting is something I do this is a start.  Then I can look at the judgments or qualifiers like 'great,' good,' 'mediocre,'  'lousy,'  and  'horrid.'

 To be continued in part 2 on Thursday...

Please post your contributions by clicking 'comments.'

Twelve Days Of Christmas Campaign

My Two Cents, Twelve Stamps, and No Excuses...

Mid-December, as I browsed the net for artists' work, I was led to an artist group, MIRCA and MIRCA Tour For Human Rights. I wanted to share this information with you and let you know how you can easily get involved.

Write-A-Thon Cases:




Throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas, thousands of letters were sent on behalf of the prisoners of conscience like the people pictured above.  Amnesty International‘s (AI) Global Write-A-Thon empowers individuals like you and me to take a small step that can help save a person's life.  You can find out more about each person's situation by clicking their photograph.  Also, here is another link with additional information: AI Blog 2009 Global Write-A-Thon.   Success stories can be read here: SUCCESS!

If so moved, you can still write letters.  For all of the people pictured above, I wrote the letters, sent them to officials in their country, sent copies to appropriate embassies here in the US.  I also sent a card or a letter of encouragement to each person above.   Next,  I rejoined  AI's Urgent Action Network to continue the effort throughout the year.  Through AI I can make a small effort that can result in a large positive impact to promote peace and non-violence and further human rights around the world.

Post your thoughts by clicking 'comments' below.