Category: Medium Information and History

Learn the history and facts on the materials in your easel.

Pthalo Blue: What Makes it A Unique Oil Paint?

Pthalo blue, pronounced “thal-o” is a popular blue hued oil paint. Although there are many other blue oil paints, such as ultramarine or cerulean, there are some characteristics that makes pthalo stand out. These differences are important to know for taking advantage of your paint mixing skills. For reference, I have been oil painting for […]

Contemporary Visual Art Styles: The Basics You Need to Know

Contemporary art is simply artwork made by artists today. Contemporary art styles are not to be confused with painting styles. Contemporary art styles have deepened past just visual art forms, and have developed into something much more with the passing generations. They are painting, sculpting, drawing, printmaking, digital artwork, collages, photography, videography, installation, music, and […]

Underpainting: The Verdaccio Technique – How Important is Underpainting?

What is Verdaccio Underpainting? The Verdaccio technique is an underpainting method traditionally used in oil painting. Underpainting is the practice of creating layers of shading and colors under your painting to accentuate different components. Verdaccio involves the application of a greenish-brown or grayish-green underpainting to establish the tonal values of a composition. The term “verdaccio” […]