Pre-Raphaelite online resource
May 22, 2010
Really worth having a look at this online resource for Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and drawings. Its been created by the Birmingham Museum, who have a great collection of Pre- Raphaelite works. You can zoom in and see the works in detail, I was impressed. Heres the Link: http://www.preraphaelites.org/
Landscape painting on the Usk
March 26, 2010
Recently I’ve been out and about painting landscapes. Its been really enjoyable after doing the studio work. I get a lot from working in this way, and i intend to develop a lot more in this direction. Got a show on the horizon which is always a good motivation. I’ve posted this image of a study I made on the Usk at a place called Penpont. I’m interested in these hidden views, and feel its a really interesting subject. Painted in two sessions, second session the rain really came down, which adds to the whole experience of developing a connection with the subject!
Under the Bridge/O Dan Y Bont, oil on board(27x34.5cm)
Glass Palette For Oil Painting
July 16, 2009
Welcome to my first blog!
First off a brief introduction to what you’ll likely find here in the future… I’d like use this blog to share some of my thoughts & ideas on contemporary painting practice. I’d also like to share ideas I’m developing in my own practice as an artist & portrait painter, mostly from a practical point of view. I hope this blog will develop into something useful for readers with an interest in contemporary figurative art practice.
I’m nearing the end of a portrait commission. As with most of my work, I like to feel that I’m pushing the boundaries in some way, and learning something new that will help me get a little bit better for the next time. Sometimes(quite often) these personal discoveries are very simple alterations to my artistic practice, but have much wider implications to the work I’m able to produce.
Yesterday I made one of these changes. I made a large palette from a sheet of glass(something I’ve seen many artists use, but have not until now tried it for myself).
The surface is fantastic for mixing on, its easily cleaned(without using spirits), and placing a warm grey mid toned paper underneath gives an excellent neutral colour to judge mixes against. The feel of the brushes against the glass surface is good, & helps engender a feel of sensitivity to brushwork when painting.
Glass palette mounted onto cut piece of MDF board, with toned paper underneath
It immediately made a very significant difference to my colour mixing, I was much better able to judge the subtle shifts in colour on the new palette. compared to the previous hand held wooden palette I was used to using. Think I might find a way to paint my wooden palettes a similar neutral colour.The small change makes a big difference.
Joseph Galvin Artist 